Clearly, after nearly nine months in a pandemic, we have all spent a lot of time reminiscing on past experiences – the times where things were still considered “normal.” To our delight, Elton John has been doing the exact same thing! On November 13th, Elton John served us with an unbeatable box set collection of over one-hundred tracks ranging from the start of his career to present day.
Jewel Box is not like your typical album. It is truly a collector’s dream, especially if that collector has grown up on Elton John, just like I have. Elton’s Jewel Box was created to showcase his favorite, rather underplayed songs from a handful of his past albums that did not get the recognition that they deserved the first time around. If you have not checked out this box set yet, I highly recommend checking out the music, as well as the visual and informative content that went into making this gorgeous set. It is practically a time capsule of Elton and Bernie’s career in the form of a hardcover book, with eight CDs in the back.
With songs that were cut from albums and the underplayed ones that I mentioned, Elton beautifully curated eight discs to include in this set. The first two discs are the “deep cuts,” which are full of those less-popular, underappreciated tracks – probably my favorite discs in the set. My current favorites from the deep cuts are definitely ‘Mellow,’ ‘Blues For Baby and Me,’ ‘Gone To Shiloh,’ and ‘(Gotta Get A) Meal Ticket,’ but it is basically impossible to not love all of them. Discs three through five are the ‘Rarities,’ and discs six and seven showcase 1976 through 2005. Last, the set closes out with disc eight, titled ‘And This Is Me…’
It would be impossible, and honestly inhumane, to choose my favorite tracks from every disc. There are so many overall, and let’s be real… they are all too good. It is no secret that Elton John is one of the most talented musicians and performers of all time. That being said, if that actually was a secret to you, now is the perfect time to go give his sound a try! After all, he made it very easy for you by putting so many incomparable, classic tracks in one (perfectly crafted) set.
With a range of songs that are bound to make you cry, dance, laugh, reminisce, and sing, make sure you go give Jewel Box a listen. Based on my impression of the music included in this box set, you will not regret it!
Rating: 10/10
Visit Elton John’s Official Store to order your ‘Jewel Box’ today!
‘Jewel Box’ is also available to stream on all major platforms!
Kate Brooks
