Chartbusters Go Pop! 16 Legendary Covers From 1969/70 As Sung By Elton John CD

16 LEGENDARY COVERS FROM 1969-70 features rare early recordings of Elton John that were found and remastered after being lost for more than 25 years. Included are cover versions of such '60s hits as "Spirit In The Sky," "Signed Sealed Delivered" and "Travelin' Band."

Reginald Dwight may not have been writing chart-busting pop hits immediately after changing his name to Elton John in the late 1960s, but he sure was recording them. While he and lyricist Bernie Taupin studiously wrote easy-listening songs and tried to sell them to British pop singers--with only occasional luck--John held down a day job recording other people's hits for U.K. budget labels. If you were in London in 1969 and bought an album chockfull of pop and soul hits like Norman Greenbaum's "Spirit in the Sky" and Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Travelin' Band"--NOT SUNG BY THE ORIGINAL ARTISTS, as the fine print would quietly tell you--that might have been John doing the singing. Not a pretty start to his career, but it sure beat working. And it must have been some kind of education: Songs like "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" and "Come and Get It" would have made perfect study material for a songwriter about to embark on a career of unabashed pop craft, and it's easy to hear these versions as John's apprenticeship. Also, they're guaranteed fun at parties.

Includes liner notes by Tim Joseph.

Liner Note Authors: David Roy; Tim Joseph.Mojo (Publisher) (11/99, p.125) - "...an amusing selection of Elton's performances for one of those 'Hot Hits not by original artists' collections....Includes creditable readings of Cat Stevens' 'Lady D'Arbanville', Stevie Wonder's 'Signed Sealed, Delivered'...and Badfinger's 'Come And Get It'..."