Elton: Jewel Box

Last updated
Elton: Jewel Box
Elton-jewel-box-album-cover-2020.png
Compilation album by
Elton John
Released13 November 2020
Recorded1965–2020
Genre Pop
Label
  • EMI
  • Universal Music Catalogue
Elton John chronology
Rocketman: Music from the Motion Picture
(2019)		Elton: Jewel Box
(2020)		 Regimental Sgt. Zippo
(2021)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [1]

Elton: Jewel Box is an eight-disc compilation album by Elton John released in 2020, featuring rare songs from his catalogue including deep cuts, non-album B-sides and 60 previously unreleased songs and demos. [2] [3] John selected the songs for the compilation, [4] which contains a total of 148 songs, organised in four parts: Deep Cuts, Rarities, B-sides, and And This Is Me.., [5] ending with the song "(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again" featuring Taron Egerton from John's 2019 biopic film Rocketman . [6]

Contents

Reception

David Browne, in a review for Rolling Stone , notes that the box set is "the most exhaustive and personal retrospective release Elton has ever put together." [7] Chris Roberts, writing for Classic Rock , feels it is "every bit the treasure trove for fans that it aims to be." [8]

Track listing

Discs 1 and 2: Deep Cuts

Discs 1 and 2 consist of lesser known songs, handpicked by Elton John from previously released albums. [2]

All tracks are written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin (except where noted)

CD 1: Deep Cuts
No.TitleAlbumLength
1."Monkey Suit" (Elton John & Leon Russell) The Union (2010)4:44
2."Where to Now St. Peter?" Tumbleweed Connection (1970)4:13
3."Mellow" Honky Château (1972)5:31
4."The Ballad of Danny Bailey (1909–34)" Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973)4:22
5."Chameleon" Blue Moves (1976)5:29
6."Gone to Shiloh" (Elton John & Leon Russell)The Union (2010)4:49
7."We All Fall in Love Sometimes" Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy (1975)4:17
8."Too Low for Zero" Too Low for Zero (1983)5:46
9."The Power" (with Little Richard) Duets (1993)6:26
10."All That I'm Allowed" Peachtree Road (2004)4:53
11."The Bridge" The Captain & the Kid (2006)3:35
12."The New Fever Waltz" The Diving Board (2013)4:40
13."Stone's Throw from Hurtin'" Sleeping with the Past (1989)4:58
14."The North" The One (1992)5:16
15."Hoop of Fire" Leather Jackets (1986)4:17
16."Boogie Pilgrim"Blue Moves (1976)6:07
Total length:79:23
CD 2: Deep Cuts
No.TitleAlbumLength
1."Ticking" Caribou (1974)7:37
2."Crystal"Too Low for Zero (1983)5:08
3."All Quiet on the Western Front" Jump Up! (1982)6:03
4."Tell Me When the Whistle Blows"Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy (1975)4:21
5."Freaks in Love"Peachtree Road (2004)4:35
6."Never Too Old (To Hold Somebody)" (Elton John & Leon Russell)The Union (2010)4:55
7."The Emperor's New Clothes" Songs from the West Coast (2001)4:27
8."House" Made in England (1995)4:28
9."(Gotta Get a) Meal Ticket"Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy (1975)4:02
10."Understanding Women"The One (1992)5:05
11."Shoot Down the Moon" Ice on Fire (1985)4:55
12."Have Mercy on the Criminal" Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player (1973)5:56
13."Blues for My Baby and Me"Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player (1973)5:40
14."My Quicksand"The Diving Board (2013)4:47
15."Street Kids" Rock of the Westies (1975)6:25
Total length:79:14

Discs 3, 4 and 5: Rarities (1965–1971)

Discs 3–5 contain early demos of previously unreleased material as well as original piano demos of songs from his earlier albums. On 17 September 2020, two months prior to the album's release date, a 1969 demo recording of "Sing Me No Sad Songs" was released for the very first time. This song, described as "a fascinating early taste of what was to come from Elton and Bernie", was used to promote the album. [2]

John describes the early demos as nostalgic and said that "it was so beautiful to listen to the naiveties of some of the songs." [9] He also talked about these songs in the context of representing his humble beginnings and how they helped shape and define him as an artist as well as show the unique relationship John and Taupin had, not only as songwriters but also as friends.

CD 3: Rarities Part One: 1965–1968
No.TitleLength
1."Come Back Baby" (Bluesology)2:47
2."Mr. Frantic" (Bluesology)2:23
3."Scarecrow" (Piano/tambourine Demo)3:12
4."A Dandelion Dies in the Wind" (Piano Demo)2:38
5."Velvet Fountain" (Piano Demo)2:55
6."A Little Love Goes a Long Way" (Piano Demo)3:00
7."If You Could See Me Now" (Piano Demo)3:37
8."Mr. Lightning Strikerman" (Piano Demo)3:06
9."Countryside Love Affair" (Piano Demo)2:51
10."I Could Never Fall in Love with Anybody Else" (Piano Demo)2:03
11."I Get a Little Bit Lonely" (Piano Demo)2:20
12."The Witch's House" (Piano Demo)2:05
13."Get Out of This Town" (Piano/tambourine Demo)2:34
14."Year of the Teddy Bear" (Piano Demo)3:39
15."Where It's At" (Piano/percussion Demo)2:02
16."Who's Gonna Love You" (Piano/percussion Demo)2:39
17."Nina" (Band Version)3:42
18."Angel Tree" (Piano/guitar/tambourine Demo)2:11
19."Here's to the Next Time" (Piano/tambourine Demo)3:22
20."Thank You for All Your Loving" (Band Version)3:27
21."Watching the Planes Go By" (Band Version)4:10
22."When the First Tear Shows" (Arranged Band Version)3:03
23."Tartan Coloured Lady" (Arranged Band Version)4:12
Total length:67:58
CD 4: Rarities Part Two: 1968
No.TitleLength
1."Hourglass" (Arranged Band Version)2:47
2."71-75 New Oxford Street" (Band Demo)3:09
3."Turn to Me" (Arranged Band Version)3:20
4."Reminds Me of You" (Piano Demo)2:50
5."I Can't Go On Living Without You" (Arranged Band Demo)2:57
6."And the Clock Goes Round" (Piano Demo)2:37
7."When I Was Tealby Abbey" (Piano Demo)2:23
8."I'll Stop Living When You Stop Loving Me" (Piano Demo)2:23
9."Trying to Hold On to a Love That's Dying" (Piano Demo)2:31
10."Sitting Doing Nothing" (Band Version)2:42
11."Regimental Sgt. Zippo" (Band Version)4:01
12."Cry Willow Cry" (Band Demo)3:41
13."There Is Still a Little Love" (Band Demo)3:57
14."If I Asked You" (Band Demo)2:51
15."Skyline Pigeon" (Piano Demo)3:26
16."Two of a Kind" (Arranged Band Demo)2:24
17."The Girl on Angel Pavement" (Arranged Band Demo)2:26
18."Smokestack Children" (Arranged Band Demo)2:31
19."Baby I Miss You" (Band Demo)2:39
20."All Across the Havens" (Piano/Guitar Demo)3:15
21."Bonnie's Gone Away" (Piano/Guitar Demo)3:37
22."Just an Ordinary Man" (Piano Demo)4:01
23."There's Still Time for Me" (Piano/Guitar/Tambourine Demo)2:45
Total length:69:13
CD 5: Rarities Part Three: 1968–1971
No.TitleLength
1."The Tide Will Turn for Rebecca" (Piano Demo)3:01
2."Dick Barton Theme (Devil's Gallop)" (Bread and Beer Band)2:16
3."Breakdown Blues" (Bread and Beer Band)5:05
4."Taking the Sun from My Eyes" (Arranged Band Version)2:47
5."It's Me That You Need" (Band Demo)4:03
6."Sing Me No Sad Songs" (Band Demo)2:39
7."The Flowers Will Never Die" (Piano Demo)2:50
8."In the Morning" (Band Demo)2:47
9."Open Your Eyes to the Sun" (Band Demo)2:37
10."One Time, Sometime or Never" (Band Demo)3:51
11."Slow Fade to Blue" (Piano/Guitar Demo)4:58
12."Rolling Western Union" (Piano Demo)3:54
13."My Father's Gun" (Piano Demo)4:17
14."Amoreena" (Piano Demo)3:48
15."Burn Down the Mission" (Piano Demo)7:06
16."Razor Face" (Piano Demo)3:44
17."Madman Across the Water" (Piano Demo)5:07
18."Holiday Inn" (Piano Demo)4:34
19."All the Nasties" (Piano Demo)4:51
Total length:74:15

Discs 6 and 7: B-sides (1976–2005)

Discs 6 and 7 contain rare B-sides, many of which have been digitalized for the first time. These discs contain 17 songs that were previously only available on vinyl. [2] [10] These tracks, together with the non-album singles released between 1968 and 1975 included on Rare Masters , make all of John's non-album singles available digitally.

In 1980, Elton John sang two duets with French singer France Gall on her single "Les Aveux" / "Donner Pour Donner". Another French song featured on the album is "J'veux D'la Tendresse", a song which was the basis for "Nobody Wins" from The Fox .

All tracks are written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin (except where noted)

CD 6: B-sides Part One: 1976–1984
No.TitleLength
1."Snow Queen" (Elton John and Kiki Dee)5:54
2."Conquer the Sun"4:21
3."Cartier"0:58
4."White Man Danger"5:26
5."Tactics" (Instrumental)2:48
6."Steal Away Child"3:06
7."Love So Cold"5:04
8."Les Aveux" (Elton John and France Gall)4:14
9."Donner Pour Donner" (Elton John and France Gall)4:28
10."J'veux D'la Tendresse" (Jean-Paul Dreau, Osborne)3:39
11."Fools in Fashion"4:18
12."Can't Get Over Getting Over Losing You"4:16
13."Tortured"4:44
14."Hey Papa Legba"5:17
15."Take Me Down to the Ocean"4:08
16."Where Have All The Good Times Gone?" (Alternate Mix)4:07
17."The Retreat"4:47
18."Choc Ice Goes Mental" (Instrumental)2:04
19."A Simple Man"3:52
Total length:77:31
CD 7: B-sides Part Two: 1984–2005
No.TitleLength
1."Lonely Boy"4:50
2."Highlander" (Instrumental)3:40
3."Billy and the Kids"4:25
4."Lord of the Flies"4:40
5."Rope Around a Fool"3:50
6."Medicine Man"4:36
7."I Know Why I'm in Love"4:32
8."Big Man in a Little Suit"4:26
9."God Never Came Here"3:53
10."The North Star"5:34
11."Did Anybody Sleep with Joan of Arc"4:19
12."So Sad the Renegade"5:06
13."A Little Peace"3:59
14."Keep It a Mystery"4:17
15."How's Tomorrow"5:22
16."Peter's Song"3:41
17."Things Only Get Better with Love"5:18
Total length:76:28

Disc 8: And This Is Me...

The eighth and final disc features songs mentioned in John's autobiography Me which John says played an important part in his life. [9] The song "(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again", a duet with Taron Egerton who portrayed John in his film Rocketman , is also included. [2]

All tracks are written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin (except where noted)

CD 8: And This Is Me...
No.TitleAlbumLength
1."Empty Sky" Empty Sky 8:29
2."Lady Samantha"non-album single3:05
3."Border Song" Elton John (album) 3:21
4."My Father's Gun" Tumbleweed Connection 6:21
5."All the Nasties" Madman Across the Water 5:09
6."I Think I'm Going to Kill Myself" Honky Château 3:33
7."Philadelphia Freedom"non-album single5:33
8."Song for Guy" (Elton John) A Single Man 5:02
9."Sartorial Eloquence" (Elton John, Tom Robinson) 21 at 33 4:45
10."Elton's Song" (Elton John, Tom Robinson) The Fox 3:03
11."Cold as Christmas (In the Middle of the Year)" Too Low For Zero 4:20
12."I Fall Apart" Leather Jackets 4:03
13."Amazes Me" Sleeping with the Past 4:40
14."The Last Song" The One 3:23
15."American Triangle" Songs from the West Coast 4:52
16."(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again" (duet with Taron Egerton) Rocketman: Music from the Motion Picture 4:13
Total length:73:52

Charts

Chart (2020)Peak
position
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria) [11] 64
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) [12] 80
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) [13] 24
Scottish Albums (OCC) [14] 28
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE) [15] 89
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) [16] 35
UK Albums (OCC) [17] 68

Related Research Articles

<i>Madman Across the Water</i> 1971 album by Elton John

Madman Across the Water is the fourth studio album by English musician Elton John, released in 1971 through DJM and Uni Records. The album was his third album to be released in 1971, at which point John had been rising to prominence as a popular music artist. John's first progressive rock album, Madman Across the Water contains nine tracks, each composed and performed by John and with lyrics written by songwriting partner Bernie Taupin. Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman plays Hammond organ on two songs.

<i>Honky Château</i> 1972 studio album by Elton John

Honky Château is the fifth studio album by English musician Elton John. It was released in 1972, and was titled after the 18th century French chateau where it was recorded, Château d'Hérouville. The album reached number one in the US, the first of John's seven consecutive US number one albums.

<i>Greatest Hits</i> (Elton John album) 1974 greatest hits album by Elton John

Greatest Hits is the eleventh official album release for English musician Elton John, and the first compilation. Released in November 1974, it spans the years 1970 to 1974, compiling ten of John's singles, with one track variation for releases in North America and for Europe and Australia. It topped the album chart in both the United States and the United Kingdom, staying at number one for ten consecutive weeks in the former nation and eleven weeks in the latter. In Canada, it was number one for 13 weeks between December 14, 1974, and March 22, 1975, missing only December 28, 1974, at number 2 to Jim Croce's Photographs & Memories.

<i>Love Songs</i> (Elton John album) 1995 compilation album by Elton John

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<i>Reg Strikes Back</i> 1988 studio album by Elton John

Reg Strikes Back is the 21st studio album by English musician Elton John. Released in 1988, it was his self-proclaimed comeback album, and his own way of fighting back against bad press. The "Reg" in Reg Strikes Back refers to John's birth name, Reginald Kenneth Dwight.

<i>The Big Picture</i> (Elton John album) 1997 studio album by Elton John

The Big Picture is the twenty-fifth studio album by English musician Elton John, released in September 1997. It includes four worldwide singles: "Live Like Horses", "Something About the Way You Look Tonight", "Recover Your Soul" and "If the River Can Bend".

<i>Friends</i> (film soundtrack) 1971 soundtrack album by Elton John

Friends, released in 1971, is the fourth official album release by Elton John. It was a project John and Bernie Taupin took on before their breakout success in the US, and served as the soundtrack album for the Friends film released in the same year. It was certified Gold in April 1971 by the RIAA. It became John's third gold record in as many months in that market. The title track was a minor hit in the US despite the film's mediocre performance. The album also received a 1972 Grammy nomination for Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture.

<i>Sleeping with the Past</i> 1989 studio album by Elton John

Sleeping with the Past is the 22nd studio album by English musician Elton John, released on 29 August 1989. It is his best-selling album in Denmark and is dedicated to his longtime writing partner Bernie Taupin. The album features "Sacrifice" and "Healing Hands", which were issued as a double A-side and became John's first solo number-one single in his home country of the UK. The single's success helped the album also hit number one there, his first since 1974's Elton John's Greatest Hits. It also became his first platinum album in the UK since 1985's Ice on Fire. In the US it was certified gold in October 1989 and platinum in April 1990 by the RIAA. Sleeping with the Past became John's best selling album of the 1980s.

<i>Elton John One Night Only – The Greatest Hits</i> 2000 live album by Elton John

Elton John One Night Only – The Greatest Hits is a live album released by English musician Elton John in 2000. The album was recorded on 20 and 21 October 2000 at Madison Square Garden. An extended version was also released as a DVD, entitled One Night Only: The Greatest Hits Live at Madison Square Garden. While the album is called "One Night Only," it was in fact recorded over two nights. Due to technical issues on the first night, most of the recordings were drawn from the second show. In the US, it was certified gold in July 2001 by the RIAA.

<i>The Captain & the Kid</i> 2006 studio album by Elton John

The Captain & the Kid is the twenty-eighth studio album by English musician Elton John, released in 2006. It is his second autobiographical album with lyricist Bernie Taupin, picking up where Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy (1975) left off. The Captain & the Kid chronicles the events in their lives over the intervening three decades.

<i>Two Rooms: Celebrating the Songs of Elton John & Bernie Taupin</i> 1991 compilation album by various artists

Two Rooms: Celebrating the Songs of Elton John & Bernie Taupin is a 1991 tribute album consisting of interpretations of sixteen songs written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. The title refers to a song on John's album 21 at 33, "Two Rooms at the End of the World", and to the duo's unusual collaborative style; it is also the title of a 1991 film documenting their collaboration.

"Come Down in Time" is the second track on Elton John's third album, Tumbleweed Connection, released in 1970. The lyrics were written by Bernie Taupin, Elton's long time writing partner. The song was originally recorded for John's second album, Elton John.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rock and Roll Madonna</span> 1970 single by Elton John

"Rock and Roll Madonna" is a song written by English musician Elton John and songwriter Bernie Taupin, and performed by John. The song was released as a single in England in 1970, where it never charted. It appeared on several bootlegs and rarities compilations, such as 1992's Rare Masters, before it appeared on 1995 remaster of his self-titled album and to the 2008 deluxe edition of the same album, along with two previously unreleased demo versions of the song.

<i>The Diving Board</i> 2013 studio album by Elton John

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elton John albums discography</span>

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<i>Rocketman</i> (film) 2019 film by Dexter Fletcher based on the life of Elton John.

Rocketman is a 2019 biographical jukebox musical film based on the life and career of British musician Elton John. Directed by Dexter Fletcher and written by Lee Hall, the film tells the story of John in his early days in England as a prodigy at the Royal Academy of Music through his musical partnership with Bernie Taupin. The story is told through his music and is titled after John's 1972 song "Rocket Man". The film stars Taron Egerton as John, with Jamie Bell as Taupin, Richard Madden as John Reid, and Bryce Dallas Howard as Sheila Eileen, John's mother.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again</span> 2019 single by Elton John and Taron Egerton

"(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again" is a song from the 2019 biopic Rocketman. Written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, the song was performed by John and Taron Egerton, who portrayed John in the film. The song is heard in the end credits of the film. The official music video features both archival clips from John's early career as well as scenes from the film. The song won numerous accolades including "Best Original Song" at the 77th Golden Globe Awards, "Best Song" at the 25th Critics' Choice Awards, "Best Original Song" at the 24th Satellite Awards, and Best Original Song at the 92nd Academy Awards.

<i>Rocketman: Music from the Motion Picture</i> 2019 soundtrack album by Taron Egerton

Rocketman: Music from the Motion Picture is a soundtrack album released by Virgin EMI (UK) and Interscope Records (US) on CD and digital formats on 24 May 2019 and is the official soundtrack album to the 2019 biographical musical film of English musician Elton John entitled Rocketman. The album contains 22 tracks of several hits performed by the cast of the film and a newly written track "(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again" featuring vocals by Taron Egerton and John together. This is the only song featuring Elton. The song won the 2019 Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song & the 2020 Academy Award for Best Original Song. The soundtrack was also released by Interscope Records on vinyl on 23 August 2019.

References

  1. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Elton John – Jewel Box". AllMusic . Retrieved 3 September 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Elton: Jewel Box".
  3. ↑ "Elton: Jewel Box - Out Now!".
  4. ↑ Andy Greene (17 September 2020). "Elton John Announces Massive Career-Spanning Box Set 'Elton: Jewel Box". Rolling Stone .
  5. ↑ Tom Skinner (17 September 2020). "Elton John announces extensive 50th anniversary boxset 'Jewel Box'". NME .
  6. ↑ "Apple Music - Elton: Jewel Box". Apple. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
  7. ↑ David Browne (12 November 2020). "Elton John's Eight-Disc 'Jewel Box' Rewrites the Story of His Epic Career". Rolling Stone .
  8. ↑ Chris Roberts (13 November 2020). "Elton John goes crate digging in his own vaults on Jewel Box and strikes gold". Classic Rock .
  9. 1 2 "Elton John - Unboxing the Jewel Box - YouTube". YouTube .
  10. ↑ "Elton: Jewel Box - The B-Sides".
  11. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Elton John – Jewel Box" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Elton John – Jewel Box" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Elton John – Jewel Box" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  14. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Spanishcharts.com – Elton John – Jewel Box". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  16. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Elton John – Jewel Box". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
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