Elton John - "To Be Continued. . ." - Your Thoughts?

The reason I start a new thread about this is because I don't want to reply to any threads more than 90 days old.

What is your thought over Elton John's 1990 box set, To Be Continued. . . ?

Track listing:
Disc 1 of 4
1. Come Back, Baby (1965) (w/Bluesology, as Reg Dwight)
2. Lady Samantha (1968)
3. It's Me That You Need (1969)
4. Your Song (demo) (1969)
5. Rock 'n Roll Madonna (1969)
6. Bad Side of the Moon (1970)
7. Your Song (1970) (from Elton John)
8. Take Me to the Pilot (1970) (from Elton John)
9. Border Song (1970) (from Elton John)
10. Sixty Years On (1970) - extended intro (original version available on Elton John)
11. Country Comfort (1970) (from Tumbleweed Connection)
12. Grey Seal (1970) - original version (re-recorded version available on Goodbye Yellow Brick Road)
13. Friends (1971) (from Friends soundtrack)
14. Levon (1971) (from Madman Across the Water)
15. Tiny Dancer (1971) (from Madman Across the Water)
16. Madman Across the Water (1971) (from Madman Across the Water)
17. Honky Cat (1972) (from Honky Chateau)
18. Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters (1972) (from Honky Chateau)

Disc 2 of 4
1. Rocket Man (I Think It's Going to Be a Long, Long Time) (1972) (from Honky Chateau)
2. Daniel (1973) (from Don't Shoot Me, I'm Only the Piano Player)
3. Crocodile Rock (1973) (from Don't Shoot Me, I'm Only the Piano Player)
4. Bennie and the Jets (1973) (from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road)
5. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973) (from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road)
6. All the Girls Love Alice (1973) (from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road)
7. Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding (1973) (from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road)
8. Whenever You're Ready (We'll Go Steady Again) (1973) - initially available on the "Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)" maxi-single
9. Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting) (1973) (from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road)
10. Jack-Rabbit (1973) - initially available on the "Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)" maxi-single
11. Harmony (1973) (from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road)
12. Young Man's Blues (aka "Screw You") (1973) - initially available as B-side of the "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" single
13. Step into Christmas (1973)
14. The Bitch is Back (1974) (from Caribou)
15. Pinball Wizard (1975) (from Tommy original motion picture soundtrack)
16. Someone Saved My Life Tonight (1975) (from Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy)

Disc 3 of 4
1. Philadelphia Freedom (1975)
2. One Day (at a Time) (1974) - w/John Lennon, live at Madison Square Garden, New York City 11/28/1974
3. Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds (1975) - f/John Lennon (under pseudonym "Winston O'Boogie")
4. I Saw Her Standing There (1974) - w/John Lennon, live at Madison Square Garden, New York City 11/28/1974
5. Island Girl (1975) (from Rock of the Westies)
6. Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word (1976) (from Blue Moves)
7. Don't Go Breaking My Heart (1976) - duet w/Kiki Dee
8. I Feel Like a Bullet (In the Gun of Robert Ford) (1975/1977) - previously unreleased live solo acoustic performance at Rainbow Theater, London, England 5/7/1977, with only percussionist Ray Cooper assisting
9. Ego (1978)
10. Song for Guy (1978) (from A Single Man)
11. Mama Can't Buy You Love (1979)
12. Cartier (1980)
13. Little Jeannie (1980) (from 21 at 33)
14. Donner Pour Donner (1981) - a mostly French language duet w/France Gall
15. Fanfare/Chloe (1981) (from The Fox)
16. The Retreat (1982) - initially available in the U.S. as the B-side of the "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues" (1983) single
17. Blue Eyes (1982) (from Jump Up!)

Disc 4 of 4
1. Empty Garden (Hey, Hey Johnny) (1982) (from Jump Up!)
2. I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues (1983) (from Too Low for Zero)
3. I'm Still Standing (1983) (from Too Low for Zero)
4. Sad Songs (Say So Much) (1984) (from Breaking Hearts)
5. Act of War (1985) - duet w/Millie Jackson
6. Nikita (1985) (from Ice on Fire)
7. Candle in the Wind (1973/1987) - live performance w/the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra at the Sydney Entertainment Center, Sydney, Australia 12/14/1986 (from Live with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra)
8. Carla/Etude (1981/1986) - previously unreleased live performance w/the MSO at the Sydney Entertainment Center, Sydney, Australia 12/14/1986
9. Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me (1974/1987) - live performance w/the MSO at the Sydney Entertainment Center, Sydney, Australia 12/14/1986 (from Live with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra)
10. I Don't Wanna Go On With You Like That (1988) - extended remix by Shep Pettibone (original version available on Reg Strikes Back)
11. Give Peace a Chance (1990) - initially available as the B-side on non-U.S. editions of the "Club at the End of the Street" single
12. Sacrifice (1989) (from Sleeping with the Past)
13. Made for Me
14. You Gotta Love Someone (also available on the Days of Thunder original motion picture soundtrack)
15. I Swear I Heard the Night Talkin'
16. Easier to Walk Away

Tracks 13 to 16 were newly recorded.

Elton would later disavow the U.S.-market box set's cover art as it brought back bad memories of his drug-induced period, so for its U.K. release in 1991 the cover art was revised. In addition, two of the four new songs from the box set would be different for his native country's edition: "You Gotta Love Someone" and "I Swear I Heard the Night Talkin'" were replaced with "Suit of Wolves" and "Understanding Women." Both songs would see a U.S. release in 1992, however: "Suit" was the B-side of "The One" single; while "Understanding Women" appeared on The One album.

My suggestions for all the classic tracks would've been to include these:
Empty Sky (1969) (from Empty Sky)
Skyline Pigeon (1969) (original version from Empty Sky)
Gulliver/Hay-Chewed (1969) (from Empty Sky)
Burn Down the Mission (1970) (from Tumbleweed Connection)
My Father's Gun (1970) (from Tumbleweed Connection)
Mellow (1972) (from Honky Chateau) - featuring Jean-Luc Ponty on electric violin!
Skyline Pigeon (1973 version) - B-side of "Daniel" single
Candle in the Wind (1973) (original version from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road)
The Ballad of Danny Bailey (1909-1934) (1973) (from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road)
Roy Rogers (1973) (from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road)
Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me (1974) (original version from Caribou)
Dixie Lily (1974) (from Caribou)
Solar Prestige a Gammon (1974) (from Caribou)
We All Fall in Love Sometimes (1975) (from Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy)
Curtains (1975) (from Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy)
Tonight (1976) (from Blue Moves)
Bite Your Lip (Get Up and Dance) (1976) - extended single mix by Tom Moulton
Part-Time Love (1978) (from A Single Man)
Johnny B. Goode (1979) (from Victim of Love)
Sartorial Eloquence (Don't You Wanna Play This Game No More) (1980) (from 21 at 33)
Take Me Back (1980) (from 21 at 33)
Carla/Etude/Fanfare/Chloe (1981) (from The Fox)
Hey Papa Legba (1982) - B-side of "Blue Eyes" single
Kiss the Bride (1983) (from Too Low for Zero)
Too Low for Zero (1983) (from Too Low for Zero)
Who Wears These Shoes? (1984) (from Breaking Hearts)
The Man Who Never Died (1985) - B-side of "Nikita" single
Shoot Down the Moon (1985) (from Ice on Fire) - was considered for the James Bond 007: A View to a Kill soundtrack
Heartache All Over the World (1986) - single mix with "Girls, girls, girls" intro
Slow Rivers (1986) (from Leather Jackets)
A Word in Spanish (1988) (from Reg Strikes Back)
Healing Hands (1989) (from Sleeping with the Past)

~Ben

 

I like this box set, but it could have been better. There's too many songs from Yellow Brickroad.

P.S) If you are going to buy this box set, don't buy 2000 reissued version. It features awful remasteted tracks.

 

One Day at a Time is not live recording. It's a studio version

 

I wouldn't be surprised if this was to receive a cheapo re issue like the Bowie Sound and Vision box, with smaller fat box packaging. Many of this type of box sets have eg Eagles Selected Works and Rod Stewart's Storyteller box set. Both of these sets were about £50 when released and can be bought for £7 now.

 

Could folks who have either the 1990 or the 2000 box sets post peak levels and what not? I've seen a couple people say that the 2000 box sounds worse, but my understanding was that it was just a straight reissue without remastering. Are there any mastering credits on the boxes?

 

I compared DR of my 2000 box set with 1990.
2000 box set is heavily compressed.

 

DR rating of 1990 "Rocket Man" is DR14.
2000 Rocket Man has DR10.

I think they used album remasters for 2000 box.

 

i thought this box missed the mark although its a nice collection....if that makes sense. too many hits/well known songs missing to be a hits collection. very slim on the rare material. elton has so many b-side/non album tracks we need a box of just that

these songs are sorely missed
Kiss the Bride (1983) (from Too Low for Zero)
Who Wears These Shoes? (1984) (from Breaking Hearts)
A Word in Spanish (1988) (from Reg Strikes Back)
Healing Hands (1989) (from Sleeping with the Past)
Club at the End of the Street (1989) (from Sleeping with the Past)

 

Overall the selections are ok, but somewhat uninspired. Pretty much like Elton treats his back catalogue in his concert set thesedays. It would be a more satisfying listen if it wasn't just a large greatest hits plus a few tidbits of interest here and there. Having said that I enjoy the sound quality of my To Be Continued set.

I'm still a bit perplexed as to what purpose it served when it was released given that The Very Best of Elton John was released the previous year, other than being "a nice box set".

There are so many great songs, which weren't already included on numerous greatest/very best ofs which could have been included. Some in that category make it onto To Be Continued. But then there's the odd (albeit amusing) inclusion of Cartier.

Some live versions from, say 1972 onwards, would have added a lot of depth to the set. As it is, it falls someway in between a full compendium and a pure greatest hits.

I suppose overall To Be Continued needs the answer to its call to be issued i.e. it needs to be continued with another set, although comprising what I'm not sure.

 

Sure enough. I did DR values for disc 2 of the 2000 box and they suck. I've had the box for years but never listened to it because I've got the DJMs and Mofis. Sounds like those 1995 Gus Dungeon remasters. I never liked those.

 

Why on earth would you not want to respond to a thread more than 90 days old? Can you imagine how clogged this forum would get if others followed that lead?

I count at least EIGHT threads on this previously - what's the harm in reigniting one of those?

 

Couldn't agree more.

 

I agree. How dare someone open up another thread on this album and take up valuable space that could be used for a Beatles thread. I recently read two whole pages on these forums without a single post or mention of Paul McCartney's B sides, deluxe box sets, cancelled shows, set lists, re imagined album track lists, favourite biscuits etc.

 

I love the live version of I Feel Like a Bullet and also love The Retreat. The latter is an excellent song. Well, actually, so is the first.

 

There was no mention of McCartney or the Beatles in THIS thread until your comment. And since you said nothing about the topic at hand, you're guilty of a threadcrap ("This occurs when a person comes into a thread and posts something contrary to the spirit/intent of the thread, often derailing the discussion or turning it into an argument"). I asked a simple question of the OP and am still awaiting his response...

 

The box made sense when it was issued in 1990. I think it's an OK extended best of with some rarities sprinkled throughout. Recall that at that time, a CD was at least $12, so to accumulate all these songs otherwise would have represented a major investment.

I think you'd have no problem filling out a 4CD box with just non-LP and unreleased material. So, obviously, this box was going to fall down on that count.

 

If you have no Elton John in your collection then this is a good release to start with. But as I said earlier I think there is a good chance it could be re released in a budget fat box package for around £10. If that is the case then definitely snap it up.

 

The number of years Elton had performed as a solo artist when the box was released is now SMALLER than the number of years since the release of the box! Definitely time for a expanded/new box.

That said, a box covering 1991-2014 would not be of nearly as high quality, even if carefully curated.

 

I still love it...great box for the fan.

 

Great Box Set with excellent sound (the original release). Who wants to put together the 1991-2014 box?

Pat

 

Disc 5:

1) Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me (w/George Michael)
2) That's What Friends Are For (live Dee Murray benefit)
3) Bohemian Rhapsody (live Queen benefit)
4) Simple Life (remix)
5) The One
6) Runaway Train
7) The Last Song
8) The Man Who Never Died (1992 remix)
9) Teardrops (w/k.d. lang)
10) Can You Feel The Love Tonight?
11) Circle Of Life
12) Believe (Hardkiss Mix)
13) Made In England
14) Blessed (Edit)
15) Live Like Horses (live w/Luciano Pavarotti)

Disc 6:
1) You Can Make History (Young Again) (acoustic without sitar)
2) No Valentines
3) Something About The Way You Look Tonight
4) Candle In The Wind 1997
5) Recover Your Soul (live Paris)
6) Big Man In A Little Suit
7) I Know Why I'm In Love
8) Written In The Stars (demo)
9) The Muse
10) A Step Too Far
11) Someday Out Of The Blue
12) Friends Never Say Goodbye (remix)
13) Club At The End Of The Street (live 2000)
14) Come Together (live 2000)
15) Stan (w/Eminem from the Grammys)

Disc 7:
1) I Want Love
2) This Train Don't Stop There Anymore
3) Original Sin
4) The North Star
5) Did Anybody Sleep With Joan Of Arc?
6) Your Song (w/Alessandro Safina)
7) Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word (w/Blue)
8) Are You Ready For Love (Edit)
9) Answer In The Sky
10) All That I'm Allowed
11) Keep It A Mystery
12) How's Tomorrow
13) Ghetto Gospel (w/2PAC)
14) The Bridge
15) Blues Never Fade Away

Disc 8:
1) Joseph, Better You Than Me (The Killers, Elton John & Neil Tennant)
2) Speechless/Your Song (w/Lady Gaga from the Grammys)
2) Tiny Dancer (Hold Me Closer) (w/Ironik)
3) If It Wasn't For Bad
4) Hey Ahab (live)
5) Hello, Hello
6) Good Morning To The Night (2012 Olympic remix w/Pnau)
7) Foreign Fields (w/Pnau)
8) Karmatron (w/Pnau)
9) Home Again
10) Can't Stay Alone Tonight
11) 5th Avenue
12) Face To Face (w/Gary Barlow)
13)-16) New Songs

 

Discs 1 and 2: terrific!
Disc 3: mostly good
Disc 4: very spotty

 

Agree about Disc 4 but I would argue that had more to do with Elton's song choices than lack of available good material. For example, replace "Act Of War" and "Give Peace A Chance" with "Who Wears These Shoes?" and "Healing Hands" as Matthew Tate said above.

 

Exactly. Instead, we have a new thread when there are plenty of appropriate threads to post to. So next time someone does a search on "To Be Continued" there are even MORE threads to sift through. And its not like the OP even had a question other than the vague (what are your thoughs?) or offered any opinion himself on it.

 

In the U.S. there was no "Very Best Of" so the box set made more sense. In the U.K. the box set was released a year later, with Elton in rehab, I guess for completeness.