Personnel: George Michael, Kiki Dee.

Recording information: 1970 - 1994.

One of the few solo artists of the British pop elite to become an international superstar with true longevity, Elton John is no stranger to having his songs (almost always co-written with Bernie Taupin) collected and repackaged. While ROCKET MAN may initially seem superfluous, particularly in light of the well-selected GREATEST HITS 1970-2002, the compilation actually fills a significant gap in John's catalogue by bridging the difference between '74's slim-but-solid GREATEST HITS and the aforementioned decades-spanning 34-track anthology.

Naturally ROCKET MAN features plenty of the flamboyant singer/pianist's '70s material--including the gorgeous "Your Song," the gentle "Tiny Dancer," and the quietly anthemic title track--but it also features a handful of tunes from his subsequent work (see the synth-laden "Sacrifice" and the uplifting "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?" from THE LION KING). Although some may be disappointed at the absence of '80s gems such as "I'm Still Standing" and "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues" (sorry, they never hit number one), ROCKET MAN largely succeeds in assembling many of John's finest moments, and serves as an ideal introduction to the pop icon.