Elton John / Elton: Jewel Box
Deep Cuts, Rarities and B-sides • 8CD box and vinyl variants
Elton John delves deep into his archive for a new 8CD box set called Elton: Jewel Box, which features an astonishing amount of rarities, deep cuts and B-sides.
This collection contains 148 songs spanning 1965 to 2019, of which 60 are previously unreleased. The first two CDs feature ‘Deep Cuts‘, a selection of personal favourites curated by Elton himself and what follows that are three CDs of Rarities. The rarities include many, many piano demos and band demos mostly recorded before he was signed or had released his first album, Empty Sky, in 1969.
There are 65 tracks in total across the three rarities discs, including the first song ever written by Elton and his debut appearance on a record (both ‘Come Back Baby’- 1965), Elton and Bernie’s first composition (‘Scarecrow’ – 1967), and newly-unearthed piano/vocal demos of some of Elton’s most acclaimed songs from his early albums.
Jewel Box 8CD deluxe box set (click image to enlarge)
Discs six and seven are B-sides compiled together for the first time. These start from 1976 and go all the way through to 2005. Many of these are being offered on CD for the first time.
The eighth and final disc is Elton’s ‘Mike Yarwood’ CD, it’s called ‘And This Is Me‘. It’s a bit of an excuse to sneak a few proper hits into this set although the justification is to collection songs that are mentioned in Elton’s biography, Me, which is coming out as a paperback edition soon. This CD ends with the duet with Taron Egerton, ‘(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again’.
Elton offers a track-by-track commentary for the ‘Deep Cuts’ in the CD book (click image to enlarge)
The CD set comes in hardcover book-style packaging (it’s not totally clear how big this is) which slots into an outer slipcase. Each section comes accompanied with extensive notes including a track-by-track commentary by Elton for his ‘Deep Cuts’.
In terms of vinyl, you have three options: all 31 ‘Deep Cuts‘ from the first two CDs in the box set are available as a 4LP set. Additionally there is a ‘Rarities & B-sides 3LP vinyl package. This features just over half (‘highlights’) of the 65 rarities from the CD box and just five of the 36 B-sides from the eight-CD box. Finally the ‘And This Is Me‘ compilation which completes the box set is also available as a 2LP vinyl package.
All the ‘Deep Cuts’ from the CD box are available as a 4LP vinyl set (click image to enlarge)
Speaking about this Jewel Box release Elton says:
“To delve back through every period of my career in such detail for Jewel Box has been an absolute pleasure. Hearing these long lost tracks again, I find it hard to comprehend just how prolific Bernie and I were during the early days. The songs just poured out of us and the band were just unbelievable in the studio.
I always want to push forward with everything I do and look to the future, but having time during lockdown to take stock and pull these moments from my memory from each era has been a joy. As a devout record collector myself, this project has really excited me and I couldn’t be happier with the level of craft involved in such a carefully curated, lovingly constructed box set. I’m sure my fans will enjoy it as much as I have.”
All the audio for Jewel Box was mastered by Sean Magee at Abbey Road Studios and all formats will be released on 13 November via UMC/EMI.
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Elton John
Jewel Box - 8CD set
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Elton John
Jewel Box - Deep Cuts 4LP vinyl
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Elton John
Jewel Box - Rarities and B-sides 3LP vinyl
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Elton John
Jewel Box - This is Me 2LP vinyl
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Elton: Jewel Box 8CD box set
CD 1: DEEP CUTS
1. MONKEY SUIT – Elton John and Leon Russell
2. WHERE TO NOW ST PETER?
3. MELLOW
4. THE BALLAD OF DANNY BAILEY (1909-34)
5. CHAMELEON
6. GONE TO SHILOH – Elton John and Leon Russell
7. WE ALL FALL IN LOVE SOMETIMES
8. TOO LOW FOR ZERO
9. THE POWER – with Little Richard
10. ALL THAT I’M ALLOWED
11. THE BRIDGE
12. THE NEW FEVER WALTZ
13. STONES THROW FROM HURTIN’
14. THE NORTH
15. HOOP OF FIRE
16. BOOGIE PILGRIM
CD 2: DEEP CUTS
1. TICKING
2. CRYSTAL
3. ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT
4. TELL ME WHEN THE WHISTLE BLOWS
5. FREAKS IN LOVE
6. NEVER TOO OLD (TO HOLD SOMEBODY) Elton John and Leon Russell
7. THE EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES
8. HOUSE
9. (GOTTA GET A) MEAL TICKET
10. UNDERSTANDING WOMEN
11. SHOOT DOWN THE MOON
12. HAVE MERCY ON THE CRIMINAL
13. BLUES FOR BABY AND ME
14. MY QUICKSAND
15. STREET KIDS
CD 3: RARITIES PART ONE: 1965–1968
1. COME BACK BABY – Bluesology
2. MR. FRANTIC – Bluesology
3. SCARECROW – Piano/Tambourine Demo
4. A DANDELION DIES IN THE WIND – Piano Demo
5. VELVET FOUNTAIN – Piano Demo
6. A LITTLE LOVE GOES A LONG WAY – Piano Demo
7. IF YOU COULD SEE ME NOW – Piano Demo
8. MR. LIGHTNING STRIKERMAN – Piano Demo
9. COUNTRYSIDE LOVE AFFAIR – Piano Demo
10. I COULD NEVER FALL IN LOVE WITH ANYBODY ELSE – Piano Demo
11. I GET A LITTLE BIT LONELY – Piano Demo
12. THE WITCH’S HOUSE – Piano Demo
13. GET OUT OF THIS TOWN – Piano/Tambourine Demo
14. YEAR OF THE TEDDY BEAR – Piano Demo
15. WHERE IT’S AT – Piano/Percussion Demo
16. WHO’S GONNA LOVE YOU – Piano/Percussion Demo
17. NINA – Band Version
18. ANGEL TREE – Piano/Guitar/Tambourine Demo
19. HERE’S TO THE NEXT TIME – Piano/Tambourine Demo
20. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR LOVING – Band Version
21. WATCHING THE PLANES GO BY – Band Version
22. WHEN THE FIRST TEAR SHOWS Arranged Band Version
23. TARTAN COLOURED LADY – Arranged Band Version
CD 4. RARITIES PART TWO: 1968
1. HOURGLASS – Arranged Band Version
2. 71-75 NEW OXFORD STREET – Band Demo
3. TURN TO ME – Arranged Band Version
4. REMINDS ME OF YOU – Piano Demo
5. I CAN’T GO ON LIVING WITHOUT YOU Arranged Band Demo
6. AND THE CLOCK GOES ROUND – Piano Demo
7. WHEN I WAS TEALBY ABBEY – Piano Demo
8. I’LL STOP LIVING WHEN YOU STOP LOVING ME Piano Demo
9. TRYING TO HOLD ON TO A LOVE THAT’S DYING Piano Demo
10. SITTING DOING NOTHING – Band Version
11. REGIMENTAL SGT. ZIPPO – Band Version
12. CRY WILLOW CRY – Band Demo
13. THERE IS STILL A LITTLE LOVE – Band Demo
14. IF I ASKED YOU – Band Demo
15. SKYLINE PIGEON – Piano Demo
16. TWO OF A KIND – Arranged Band Version
17. THE GIRL ON ANGEL PAVEMENT Arranged Band Version
18. SMOKESTACK CHILDREN – Arranged Band Version
19. BABY I MISS YOU – Band Demo
20. ALL ACROSS THE HAVENS – Piano/Guitar Demo
21. BONNIE’S GONE AWAY – Piano/Guitar Demo
22. JUST AN ORDINARY MAN – Piano Demo
23. THERE’S STILL TIME FOR ME Piano/Guitar/Tambourine Demo
CD 5: RARITIES PART THREE: 1968–1971
1. THE TIDE WILL TURN FOR REBECCA – Piano Demo
2. DICK BARTON THEME DEVIL’S GALLOP Bread And Beer Band
3. BREAKDOWN BLUES – Bread And Beer Band
4. TAKING THE SUN FROM MY EYES Arranged Band Version
5. IT’S ME THAT YOU NEED – Band Demo
6. SING ME NO SAD SONGS – Band Demo
7. THE FLOWERS WILL NEVER DIE – Piano Demo
8. IN THE MORNING – Band Demo
9. OPEN YOUR EYES TO THE SUN – Band Demo
11. SLOW FADE TO BLUE – Piano/Guitar Demo
12. ROLLING WESTERN UNION – Piano Demo
13. MY FATHER’S GUN – Piano Demo
14. AMOREENA – Piano Demo
15. BURN DOWN THE MISSION – Piano Demo
16. RAZOR FAC – Piano Demo
17. MADMAN ACROSS THE WATER – Piano Demo
18. HOLIDAY INN – Piano Demo
19. ALL THE NASTIES – Piano Demo
CD 6: B-SIDES PART ONE: 1976–1984
1. SNOW QUEEN – ELTON JOHN AND KIKI DEE
2. CONQUER THE SUN
3. CARTIER
4. WHITE MAN DANGER
5. TACTICS
6. STEAL AWAY CHILD
7. LOVE SO COLD
8. LES AVEUX – Elton John and France Gall
9. DONNER POUR DONNER – Elton John and France Gall
10. J’VEUX D’LA TENDRESSE
11. FOOLS IN FASHION
12. CAN’T GET OVER GETTING OVER LOSING YOU
13. TORTURED
14. HEY PAPA LEGBA
15. TAKE ME DOWN TO THE OCEAN
16. WHERE HAVE ALL THE GOOD TIMES GONE? Alternate Mix
17. THE RETREAT
18. CHOC ICE GOES MENTAL
19. A SIMPLE MAN
CD 7: B-SIDES PART TWO: 1984–2005
1. LONELY BOY
2. HIGHLANDER
3. BILLY AND THE KIDS
4. LORD OF THE FLIES
5. ROPE AROUND A FOOL
6. MEDICINE MAN
7. I KNOW WHY I’M IN LOVE
8. BIG MAN IN A LITTLE SUIT
9. GOD NEVER CAME HERE
10. THE NORTH STAR
11. DID ANYBODY SLEEP WITH JOAN OF ARC
12. SO SAD THE RENEGADE
13. A LITTLE PEACE
14. KEEP IT A MYSTERY
15. HOW’S TOMORROW
16. PETER’S SONG
17. THINGS ONLY GET BETTER WITH LOVE
CD 8: AND THIS IS ME…
1. EMPTY SKY
2. LADY SAMANTHA
3. BORDER SONG
4. MY FATHER’S GUN
5. ALL THE NASTIES
6. I THINK I’M GOING TO KILL MYSELF
7. PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM
8. SONG FOR GUY
9. SARTORIAL ELOQUENCE
10. ELTON’S SONG
11. COLD AS CHRISTMAS (IN THE MIDDLE OF THE YEAR)
12. I FALL APART
13. AMAZES ME
14. THE LAST SONG
15. AMERICAN TRIANGLE
16. (I’M GONNA) LOVE ME AGAIN Elton John and Taron Egerton
Elton: Jewel Box: Deep Cuts 4LP vinyl
LP 1: SIDE A
1. MONKEY SUIT – Elton John and Leon Russell
2. WHERE TO NOW ST PETER?
3. MELLOW
4. THE BALLAD OF DANNY BAILEY (1909-34)
LP 1: SIDE B
1. CHAMELEON
2. GONE TO SHILOH – Elton John and Leon Russell
3. WE ALL FALL IN LOVE SOMETIMES
4. TOO LOW FOR ZERO
LP 2: SIDE A
1. THE POWER – with Little Richard
2. ALL THAT I’M ALLOWED (I’M THANKFUL)
3. THE BRIDGE
4. THE NEW FEVER WALTZ
LP 2: SIDE B
1. STONE’S THROW FROM HURTIN’
2. THE NORTH
3. HOOP OF FIRE
4. BOOGIE PILGRIM
LP 3: SIDE A
1. TICKING
2. CRYSTAL
3. ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT
LP 3: SIDE B
1. TELL ME WHEN THE WHISTLE BLOWS
2. FREAKS IN LOVE
3. NEVER TOO OLD (TO HOLD SOMEBODY) Elton John and Leon Russell
4. THE EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES
LP 4: SIDE A
1. HOUSE
2. (GOTTA GET A) MEAL TICKET
3. UNDERSTANDING WOMEN
4. SHOOT DOWN THE MOON
LP 4: SIDE B
1. HAVE MERCY ON THE CRIMINAL
2. BLUES FOR BABY AND ME
3. MY QUICKSAND
4. STREET KIDS
Elton: Jewel Box: Rarities & B-sides 3LP vinyl
LP 1: SIDE A
1. COME BACK BABY – Bluesology
2. SCARECROW – Piano/Tambourine Demo
3. A DANDELION DIES IN THE WIND – Piano Demo
4. VELVET FOUNTAIN – Piano Demo
5. GET OUT OF THIS TOWN – Piano/Tambourine Demo
6. COUNTRYSIDE LOVE AFFAIR – Piano Demo
7. THE WITCH’S HOUSE – Piano Demo
8. YEAR OF THE TEDDY BEAR – Piano Demo
LP 1: SIDE B
1. A LITTLE LOVE GOES A LONG WAY– Piano Demo
2. MR. LIGHTNING STRIKERMAN – Piano Demo
3. I COULD NEVER FALL IN LOVE WITH ANYBODY ELSE – Piano Demo
4. I GET A LITTLE BIT LONELY – Piano Demo
5. NINA – Band Version
6. ANGEL TREE – Piano/Guitar/Tambourine Demo
7. HERE’S TO THE NEXT TIME – Piano/Tambourine Demo
LP 2: SIDE A
1. WATCHING THE PLANES GO BY – Band Version
2. WHEN THE FIRST TEAR SHOWS Arranged Band Version
3. TARTAN COLOURED LADY – Arranged Band Version
4. WHEN I WAS TEALBY ABBEY – Piano Demo
5. TURN TO ME – Arranged Band Version
6. AND THE CLOCK GOES ROUND – Piano Demo
7. I CAN’T GO ON LIVING WITHOUT YOU Arranged Band Version
LP 2: SIDE B
1. REGIMENTAL SGT. ZIPPO – Band Version
2. CRY WILLOW CRY – Band Demo
3. SKYLINE PIGEON – Piano Demo
4. TWO OF A KIND – Arranged Band Version
5. THE GIRL ON ANGEL PAVEMENT Arranged Band Version
6. SMOKESTACK CHILDREN – Arranged Band Version
7. THERE’S STILL TIME FOR ME Piano/Guitar/Tambourine Demo
LP 3: SIDE A
1. THE TIDE WILL TURN FOR REBECCA – Piano Demo
2. TAKING THE SUN FROM MY EYES Arranged Band Version
3. SING ME NO SAD SONGS – Band Demo
4. ROLLING WESTERN UNION – Piano Demo
5. AMOREENA – Piano Demo
6. MADMAN ACROSS THE WATER – Piano Demo
LP 3: SIDE B
1. SNOW QUEEN – Elton John and Kiki Dee
2. THE RETREAT
3. BILLY AND THE KIDS
4. MEDICINE MAN
5. PETER’S SONG
Elton: Jewel Box: And This Is Me 3LP vinyl
LP 1: SIDE A
1. EMPTY SKY
2. LADY SAMANTHA
3. BORDER SONG
4. MY FATHER’S GUN
LP 1: SIDE B
1. ALL THE NASTIES
2. I THINK I’M GOING TO KILL MYSELF
3. PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM
4. SONG FOR GUY
LP 2: SIDE A
1. SARTORIAL ELOQUENCE
2. ELTON’S SONG
3. COLD AS CHRISTMAS (IN THE MIDDLE OF THE YEAR)
4. I FALL APART
LP 2: SIDE B
1. AMAZES ME
2. THE LAST SONG
3. AMERICAN TRIANGLE
4. (I’M GONNA) LOVE ME AGAIN Elton John and Taron Egerton
By Paul Sinclair
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