Although Elton and Bernie’s collaboration produced many great albums and many excellent songs across many albums, it is this album where all their production and songwriting strength is brought to bear. For me, this is the Deep Cuts album
par excellence. Of course this album has unassailable hits like the title track and “Candle in the Wind”, a song that—like “Yesterday”—is ingrained in pop culture consciousness, but the glue that holds it all together is surprising high quality of the deep cuts. Just listen to “This Song Has No Title”, a throwaway track if there ever was one—but it is? One doesn’t waste such poetic lines as “born on the breeze and die on the wind” on throwaway songs. Or what about the reversed weeping guitar solo on “I’ve Seen That Movie Too”? Brilliant stuff that really sweeps you away. Even the vibraphone and violin on “Sweet Painted Lady” perfectly paints the charming atmosphere of some seaside debauchery. This is without a doubt one of the greatest double albums of all time. So kick back and enjoy Elton at his most beautiful and symphonic and melodious and harmonious, but also enjoy the grit and vinegar sprinkled throughout!