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My interest in piano, first primered by the music of Chopin, then a few other classical artists, then sprouted into some jazz, Beatles and now Elton John.
He has got to be one of the greatest piano pop singers today in my opinion, now that I appreciate piano.

Is there a recommendation for a comprehensive or best works-type collection of original sheet music by Elton John for purchase either in store or on the web?
Please recommend me any book names and where I can order them.
Thank you!

In my opinion , the best sheet music book on Elton John is the Elton john Collection It is published by the Hal Leonard Corp. It is the best piano solo book I have come across yet on Elton John. It has 22 great songs in it. It is on the intermediate level and then there are a few on the advanced level and even a few on the beginners level. I ordered it from Sheet music plus. I believe there is a link for it somewhere on the forum. You've got great taste in music, Elton John is one of all time favorites!

thanks for the recommendation on this. i want to order it but i wish there was a way to order this collection electronically sent to me to PRINT rather to wait 3-7 days.

is there a way to do this for books like this or only for single scores?

and i still have to say, Paul has to shave.

I know that you can get single songs electronically, but I don't know of anywhere where you can get the entire book electronically. Maybe somebody on this forum knows of a way. It seems like there are so many knowledgable people on this forum!

Paul shaves now.......but he doesn't look happy. I think he looked so much happier with the beard and moustache way back then ,he just looked so much more peaceful

He wasn't being divorced by Heather Mills then.
LOL

He is happier.

Linda was a nicer person than HM imo. HM seems flakey and greedy imo.

Paul has experienced more personal pain in his life than many people realize, especially in the last several years.

His mother died when he was only 14 years old.

Paul's beloved first wife, Linda, died of breast cancer in 1998 after almost thirty years of marriage. She was only 56 years old. He took it pretty hard.

His marriage to Heather Mills was a disaster, putting him through a brutal and very public divorce proceeding, only about eight years after Linda died.

However, I think he'll come through it alright. He has a bit of a namby pamby image, but IMO he was the emotionally toughest Beatle of them all. He was the one most responsible for keeping them together for the last couple years of the Beatle's existence.

He was the best all-around musician and vocalist in the band, and had the best head for the business end of the music industry.

Billy and Elton... Face to Face with "Your Song"

http://www.dailymotion.com/visited/search/Billy%2BJoel/video/xbzri_billy-joel-elton-john

Both are incredibly talented and it is truly hard to put one at a higher rank than the other. The only reason I might rank BJ a little higher is that BJ is more of a complete package. But Elton is a consumate performer and genious at finding melodies to match lyrics. Elton's career has also been more consistent, while Billy has had long breaks between tours.

Personally I love both of them.

Both Elton and Billy have had ups and downs in their long careers. However, there's no denying their greatness when they were in their prime.

I think the biggest problem both of them have faced is drugs/alcohol. Unfortunately, drug and alcohol abuse has been a pandemic in the music world for decades. So many great performers have either died or seen their careers go belly-up because of it.

wolfmindist thank you for that great video, it was so awesome. What a feeling that must of been to be there and watch Elton and BJ perform on the same stage together. I think if I was there I would have been overcome with emotion and cried! They are both phenomenal performers. Between the two Elton is my favorite , he is just an incredible songwriter and performer. He has written so many different kinds of songs over the years, it seems like there is a different kind of song for every kind of emotion and mood.I can always find a song of Eltons to listen to , to fit whatever mood I am in.
Billy Joel has done some great stuff too and I've always liked the song "The Piano Man" it is just a one of a kind song.It has great rhythym Both of these performers have had to overcome alot of personal obstacles but they always managed to pull through.

I think Paul Mccartney needs to get his beard and moustache back In the last few years that I have seen him perform he just didnt have that spirit in him and it showed through his music and yes Musiclover I think you're right his personal problems over the last few year with that Heather Mills has taken a toll on him. In my opinion his personal woes has affected his performance as a musician, it's a shame, he had a what seemed like a perfect bond with Linda (we should all be so lucky!) and their love always shined right through his music. You could just feel their love through his music.

ARIAS: I agree with much of what you said.

Sir Paul isn't a spring chicken anymore. He'll be 65 years old in 2007. He is a living legend, and will be remembered long after his death.

The Heather Mills fiasco hasn't helped Paul, but he's well past his musical prime, even if she had never come on the scene.

Alas, I'm afraid Father Time has caught up with the most successful singer/songwriter of the 20th century.

YEAH YEAH YEAH I agree Sir Paul is definetly a musical legend and will be remembered long after his death. I always liked his voice, and I Think he has a nicer voice than Elton or Billy, although I think Eltons voice may not be as sweet sounding as Sir Paul.... Elton has a more powerful voice.........Eltons voice travels far.
And while we are talking about great legends although I do agree Paul was the most talented of the Bealtles I liked John Lennon, my favorite all time song is IMAGINE, it is so beautiful and has so much meaning to it. I think when Yoko came around she kinda messed up his career, it was a mistake for him to put her on that one album of his, she had ZERO talent!

Yoko was a horrible singer. I checked out one of her CDs at the library... it was the worst thing I ever heard. Yikes! Did Lennon really like her singing?

I think this thread needs some Elton Video Links so I will hunt some down for this one like I did for Billy Joel and Ray Charles.

Fairly recent thread on Elton... includes a couple videos also.
http://www.pianoworld.com/ubb/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?/topic/37/372.html

Agathis posted this on a thread a little further back.... (thread begian in April 2006). Agathis is still a member of the PW for FYI to this date and hopefully he'll be around a long time.

Link to post excerpt from another Elton thread at PW:

Agathis posted:
"hi there, glad someone asked. the best elton site i have seen is

http://www.eltonscafe.com

go into the kitchen section, that will have everything. you get quite a few elton solo piano versions, mp3, midi and even entire score in alot of cases painstakingly done, by ear, from listening to the mp3... theres no better way to learn these, you have the mp3 to hear, the score to read, and the midi file, you can slow it down to any speed you want until you can play these licks. his riffs are neverending and hearing him solo piano is amazing in my opinion.. curious what ya think!

Tip for newbies and perhaps others: use PW forum boards search engine to find all sorts of older threads when researching a topic. The archives are chock full of info.

FWI for PW newbies: The search engine is at the top of the page at PW.

Elton and Axel... doin' Bohemian Rhapsody

This is pretty good; sound level could be higher though.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xxv5_bohemian-rhapsody-elton-and-axel

Elton and "Guns and Roses"
http://www.dailymotion.com/visited/search/Elton%2BJohn/video/x30rv_guns-elton-john-live

Elton and George Michael... Don't Let The Son Go Down On Me. This is a fun tune to play and sing, with that spirtual feel to it.

http://www.dailymotion.com/visited/search/Elton%2BJohn/video/x2sjm_elton-johngeorge-michael

Talk about the use of a powerful song... this person at Daily Motions posted a video tribute a tribute to Horse Racing's fiinest atheletes and their connections to the tune circle of life.

The tribute may bring a tear to your eye if you fancy horses like Ruffian, Secratariat, Man O' War, Seattle Slew, Lost In The Fog, Sea Biscuit. At end of the video you will see some wonderful pictures of Barbaros Baby brother; who looks to be a very promising colt.



I am weeping now. Very touching video to a very powerful tune by Elton for the Lion King.

http://www.dailymotion.com/visited/search/Elton%2BJohn/video/xb3v5_circle-of-life0001

Ewen Mcgregor singing Your Song in movie Moulin Rouge.

http://www.dailymotion.com/visited/search/Elton%2BJohn/video/x70k5_your-songmoulin-rouge

Can You Feel The Love Tonight
by Elton (Lion King Movie)
Link:
http://www.dailymotion.com/visited/search/Elton%2BJohn/video/x63bv_elton-john-can-you-feel

Goodbye England's Rose (tune is Candle In The Wind); Elton's tribute to Princess Diana. Requested to sing it by Diana's children.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x9o8i_elton-john-candle-in-the-wind-97

Elton John and Christine Aguilera... Bennie and the Jets
Link at:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xdk7r_christina-aguilera-and-elton-john

Original Music Video for "I Believe In Love".
Powerful lyrics.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x58zr_elton-john-believe

Don't Go Breaking My Heart sung by Elton and SPICE (girls singing group) TV show perf.?

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5kvu_elton-john-spice-dont-o-breaking

I'm Still Standing... EJ music video
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8cfv_elton-john-i-m-still-standing

Elton John Croc Rock
Shades of jerry Lee Lewis in this tune...

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xg46v_elton-john-crocodile-rock

This is a fun song to rock out on the piano...
And the chord progressions are not too difficult.

Elton at Diva concert... with Tina Turner;
Proud Mary

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x63qb_elton-john-tina-turner-cher

Don't Ask Me Why--- Wembley Tour...
EJ and BJ playing together

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6ss6_billy-joel-dont-ask-me-why-1984

That's What Friends Are For-- video for Aids

EJ is on this as well as Stevie Wonder. Many pop stars on it.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xg1wn_thats-what-friends-are-for

thanks for sending me these great videos, I can't wait to check them out later on

WOLF: Thanks for sending us all those fabulous Elton John Videos. When Elton plays the piano, the piano and him become ONE .
It is amazing how well Elton John performed with all these different performers.........Billy joel, Dionne Warwick, George Michael.....etc.
George Michael did a better job with the "Dont let the Sun Go Down on Me " than I thought he would. I was never that crazy about him, but he did pretty good with elton in that song. I liked watching Elton with Stevie Wonder in "Thats What Friends are for" They Looked like they had great rythym together the way were rocking back and forth , it made me want to rock back and forth with them!
To any of you who havent listened yet to the Elton John Videos on this thread, What Are You Waiting For...check it out!
OK I think I have made up my mind that Elton is truly the best rock pop pianist without a doubt. . He is one-of-a -kind, there will never be anybody like Elton. And he sure can ROCK!!

If I had a choice as to whose music I wanted to learn to play all of (rock-pop artist that is) it would certainly be Eltons. He has song for every mood of mine and I have alot of moods!

His ability to capture any mood of the audience is truly amazing, his melodies are beautiful and soothing, I want Elton John to play Candle in the Wind at MY funeral! :p

I must admit after listening to so many Billy Joel Videos tonight... that right now I think Elton is the better singer of the two.

Sometimes (not very often) Billy oversings or doesn't place his note exactly right.He also is a bit more nasal than Elton. Not saying Billy is a bad singer at all; but that maybe Elton is a better singer technically nowadays. (perhaps when Elton burst his vocal chord, he had to learn better vocal tech. to save his career).

Then again some of the minor things I heard tonight may have just been times that Billy was tired or under the weather. Or maybe his alcoholism was a problem.

Celine Dion also sung incorrectly when she started out and nearly ruined her chords. Same goes for Kathy Mattea (Country singer/songwriter).

I still think it is a close call for me to choose Billy over Elton; the deciding factor was the ability of Billy to put everything together so well. But I could have just as easily chosen Elton John as my favorite. I change my opinon as easily as the weather though; it is so close.

It was hard to pass up brother Ray; I love him so. But I just felt EJ and BJ had the best playing chops. So Ray was my 3rd guy. Carole King is my #1 female pop/rock pianist.

It is a matter of to each his own in the end.
I just think it is great that we have both Elton John and Billy Joel having their careers parallel with each other at the same time; let alone they did a couple of tours together (Face to Face).

The world has been blessed by all the great musicians who are putting themselves out front and having dedicated their lives to making great music.

And thank god Elton John rethought his plan to not be a 50 yr old rock and roll star. He hasn't lost much over the years, his voice has a bit less range due to a vocal chord injury and probably age. But is a top knotch piano player and entertainer. And he can put on a fabulous show. I love Elton's DIVANESS also; He is a character.

An excellent choice, ARIAS!

After reviewing all of the Billy Joel videos on the other threads and the Elton John videos on this thread I have concluded that:
Eltons voice has alot more power than Billy Joels' and not only that Eltons' voice just travels further than Billys

I saw the Elton John show in Hong Kong and I was jumping out of my seat. He has so much energy and the songs just kept coming plus his band are the same people since 1972! I've been a fan ever since I can remember. The first record I bought with my paper round money was Crocodile Rock. After that show I rushed out and bought the comemmorative DVD/CD, I went back to UK and got his piano book. I'm really glad I'm not the only Elton nut. And Bernie Taupin's lyrics are among the best.

Elton plays a Roland on this Bohemian Rhapsody video... just noticed this.


http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xxv5_bohemian-rhapsody-elton-and-axel

All things considered, I'd have to give Elton the edge as the better all-around musical/piano talent of the two, IMHO. And I don't say that to slight Billy or any of his fans. To each his own.

Thanks for sharing.

Elton has been criticized by some for not writing most of his own lyrics. But why write your own when you've got somebody like Taupin, who can do it so brilliantly?

Some of the greatest and most legendary songwriters in history, in various genres, did not write most of their own lyrics.

Like George Gershwin, Richard Rodgers, Burt Bacharach, Henry Mancini, Eddie Holland and Carole King--just to name a few off the top of my head.

You're most definitely not! I only started listening to his music a few months ago... my album/DVD count is up to 10. And I saw him in concert last month.

Oh and if anyone want's to see Elton at his best with just a piano and his voice, pick up a copy of "To Russia with Elton." (DVD)

Back to the original question, the "Elton John Keyboard Book" published by Hal Lennard provides note for not what Elton Played on a selection of his album tracks.

Please note: this book provides accompanyment only, great for singing along to but not great for piano solo.

FYI Elton fans... Here is an announcement re: a princess Diana memorial event

http://video.msn.com/v/us/v.htm?g=88c1a9d1-c000-422f-b566-4d154f5cb749

FYI: Elton John's Official Website
http://www.eltonjohn.com/flash_index.asp

Back in 1974 on Thanksgiving I saw Elton and a guy named John Lennon..

What a show...

I got a new cell phone yesterday, and it is pretty cool. While the other kids are listening to Ludarcis on there cell phone, i'm blasting Levon and Candle in the Wind down the hall

Matt

Wolf, you are good at seeking these things out. I go through phases of liking Elton John and then being indifferent. But I watched a few of these and was impressed. And I agree that he is probably a better singer than Billy Joel in that he has rather fewer off key moments.

I also thought that, especially for a well known actor, Ewan McGregor did a really good job of Your Song.

A

I read the biography of Billy Joel "The Life and the Times of An Angry Man". I hate the title; but I see why at times they say that. It is a wonderful book about how Billy created his career.

Elton John is one of the best pianoist ever! I liked him best in his younger days...with all the concerts...that must have been amazing! Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters is one of his best songs to me. I would love the sheet music for that( anybody know???)
I would LOVE to meet Bernie...his lyrics are wonderful...

AND i dont think anyone is alone in being the elton john freak! lol

I heart Billy Joel, Sir Elton John,Ray Charles, the Beatles, and Queen.