Greatest Hits 1976-1986 [Remaster] (CD - 1992)

Personnel includes: Elton John (vocals, keyboards); The Spinners, Kiki Dee, George Michael (vocals); Ritchie Zito, Leroy M. Bell, Nik Kershaw, Davey Johnston (guitar); M.F.S.B. (strings, horns); Jim Horn (piccolo, alto saxophone); Phil Todd (alto saxophone); David Bitelli (tenor & baritone saxophones); Chuck Findley (trumpet, trombone); Paul Spong (trumpet); Jerry Hey (flugelhorn); Rick Taylor (trombone); Fred Mandel (keyboards, synthesizer); Thom Bell (keyboards); Ray Cooper (vibraphone); Dee Murray, Bob Babbitt, Paul Westwood, Dave Paton (bass); Nigel Olsson, Charles Collins, Jeff Porcaro, Dave Mattacks (drums); Larry Washington (percussion); Bill Champlin, Katie Kissoon, Pete Wingfield (background vocals).

Producers: Chris Thomas, Thom Bell, Elton John, Clive Franks, Gus Dudgeon.

Engineers: Bill Price, Renate, Stuart Epps.

All tracks have been digitally remastered.

When Elton John left Geffen for MCA, Greatest Hits, 1976-1986 replaced Greatest Hits, Vol. 3 (1979-1987). The newer collection is a better collection than its predecessor, since it trims the failed single "Heartache All Over the World," which was added as an incentive for hardcore collectors, and "Too Low for Zero," replacing them with "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word," "Don't Go Breaking My Heart," and "Who Wears These Shoes?" Those three cuts are added to ten songs that illustrate that John could still craft a killer pop single during the '80s. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

These aren't generally considered Elton John's greatest years, but he certainly still knew how to craft a song. "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word," which originally appeared on 1976's BLUE MOVES, would be one of the great ballads of any Elton John era, or anybody's era for that matter. And if you think songs like "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" (a number one duet with Kiki Dee) or "Blue Eyes" are a bit on the sappy side, just try not singing along.

Having fun while flexing his pop-rock chops, John spent the decade imitating soul ("Mama Can't Buy You Love,") hard rock ("I'm Still Standing") and himself ("Little Jeannie") and kept pop radio mighty happy in the process--you may be surprised at how exactly this collection sounds like pop radio of the same era. Highlights, besides those already mentioned, include the John Lennon tribute "Empty Garden" and the ironically upbeat "Sad Songs (Say So Much)," which is a much better tune if you can just get that Sasson commercial out of your head. minimize