Elton John / Classic Album Selection Box Set (1970-1973)

Five of Elton John‘s early albums are collected together in a limited edition box set for release on 2 July from Universal Music.

The Classic Album Selection (1970-1973) comprises Elton John, Tumbleweed Connection, Madman Across The Water, Honky Chateau, and Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only The Piano Player. These were albums that established Elton John’s reputation as a premier singer-songwriter and helped him on his way to becoming a superstar, particularly in the US with hits such as Border Song, Your Song, Tiny Dancer, Honky Cat, Rocket Man, Daniel and Crocodile Rock. These five albums would be followed up by Goodbye Yellow Brick Road in late 1973, which arguably is where John peaked critically and commercially in the 1970s.

The good news is that this reasonably stripped-down set does include bonus tracks on most of the discs, making it even better value for money (see track listing below).

Pre-order here

Track listings:

ELTON JOHN

• 1. Your Song
• 2. I Need You To Turn To
• 3. Take Me To The Pilot
• 4. No Shoe Strings On Louise
• 5. First Episode At Hienton
• 6. Sixty Years On
• 7. Border Song
• 8. The Greatest Discovery
• 9. The Cage
• 10. The King Must Die
• 11. Bad Side Of The Moon (Single Version)
• 12. Grey Seal
• 13. Rock And Roll Madonna

TUMBLEWEED CONNECTION

• 1. Ballad Of A Well-Known Gun
• 2. Come Down In Time
• 3. Country Comfort
• 4. Son Of Your Father
• 5. My Father’s Gun
• 6. Where To Now St. Peter?
• 7. Love Song
• 8. Amoreena
• 9. Talking Old Soldiers
• 10. Burn Down The Mission
• 11. Into The Old Man’s Shoes
• 12. Madman Across The Water (Original Version)

MADMAN ACROSS THE WATER

• 1. Tiny Dancer
• 2. Levon
• 3. Razor Face
• 4. Madman Across The Water
• 5. Indian Sunset
• 6. Holiday Inn
• 7. Rotten Peaches
• 8. All The Nasties
• 9. Goodbye

HONKY CHTEAU

• 1. Honky Cat
• 2. Mellow
• 3. I Think I’m Going To Kill Myself
• 4. Susie (Dramas)
• 5. Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going To Be A Long Long Time)
• 6. Salvation
• 7. Slave
• 8. Amy
• 9. Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters
• 10. Hercules
• 11. Slave (Alternate ‘Fast’ Version)

DON’T SHOOT ME I’M ONLY THE PIANO PLAYER

• 1. Daniel
• 2. Teacher I Need You
• 3. Elderberry Wine
• 4. Blues For My Baby And Me
• 5. Midnight Creeper
• 6. Have Mercy On The Criminal
• 7. I’m Gonna Be A Teenage Idol
• 8. Texan Love Song
• 9. Crocodile Rock
• 10. High Flying Bird
• 11. Screw You (Young Man’s Blues)
• 12. Jack Rabbit (Single Version)
• 13. Whenever You’re Ready (We’ll Go Steady Again) (Single Version)
• 14. Skyline Pigeon (Piano Version)