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68 of 69 found the following review helpful:
 If you want to play just like EJ at the piano, get it! Jun 16, 1999
Before reading this book, I thought that it might be just another usual collection of EJ's sheet music, where the piano arrangement is nothing but a repetition of the vocal lines in chords. But much to my astonishment, it is'nt. Being a fan of EJ for over 20 years who enjoys playing his songs (for leisure only, of course), I can tell from the transcriptions, simply by looking at it, that the Publisher is true in advertising it as the authentic piano transcriptions. The only complaint I have with this book is that there are 2 to 3 songs which are in fact not that popular, and should have been replaced by more popular ones such as "Sorry seems to be the hardest word" and "Skyline Pigeons" etc. I am also puzzled why "Friends" were included but "Seasons" were not. Anyway, this is only a minute flaw which bears no significance comparing with the great joy that I get from this book. I hope that the publisher will consider publishing Vol. 2. One word of opinion : get the Billy Joel Keyboard Book as well. BJ is as good as EJ!
54 of 56 found the following review helpful:
 Very good Sep 06, 2002
By M. Packham
"Stuart"
Here you'll find Elton John's music transcribed down to a tee. This is a welcome change to nonsensical 'interpretations' that conspicuously sound exactly the same as the melody line. You want to play 'Bennie and the Jets' from the starting heavy chords to the verse to the jazzy piano solo, here you go. Blue Eyes, Rocket Man, Someone Saved My Life Tonight (excellent song)... it's all here. In some instances (like Honky Cat for example), there's just no point in bothering to learn the music EXACTLY, because Elton John just improvised within chords in the first place. So it's best for you to do the same unless you want to pore through pages of the same music phrased slightly differently. Next time it would be better to include the more 'precise' songs in Elton's catalogue.Anyway, this is a great collection. Some of the songs aren't very well known but get the album they're on and you're away. Hours of fun.
32 of 33 found the following review helpful:
Unleash your inner rock star Nov 21, 2009
By L. Power
"nlp trainer"
If you are thinking about buying this book it may be helpful to know what's included.
Bennie and the Jets
Blue Eyes
Border Song
Candle in the Wind
Crocodile Rock
Daniel
Don't go breaking my heart
Don't let the sun go down on me
Empty Garden
Friends
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Honky Cat
I guess that's why they call it the Blues
Little Jeannie
Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters
Rocket Man
Someone Saved My Life Tonight
Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word
Tiny Dancer
Your Song
If you're like me, then as you play these pieces you notice yourself making breakthroughs in your playing. Although I am still working through this book, I particularly enjoyed working on pieces such as Bennie and the Jets, Rocket Man, and Your Song.
I highly recommend this book, and hope you found this helpful.
18 of 18 found the following review helpful:
The best Elton book I've found. Dec 04, 1998
This is the best book of Elton John's sheet music I've ever found. The transcriptions are almost perfect. My only complaint is a couple of the songs that weren't included (Levon, Burn Down the Mission), but the songs that are included more than make up for it.
18 of 19 found the following review helpful:
fantastic May 10, 2005
By brian phillips
I bought this book a few years ago, and have been enjoying it immensely ever since. It is very true to the original recordings, and is good for several things. Students of music will learn piano voicings, chord changes, licks, and solos of one of the best piano players in popular music. That will make you a better player and better songwriter, if that's your thing. I'm not a great piano player, but my playing has vastly improved partly because of hours spent at the piano playing tunes from this book. Some are more difficult than others and will challenge the experienced keyboardists. Others are fairly simple and easier for the intermediate players. Either way you will greatly benefit from this book, whether you want to play these tunes backed up by a band, whether you are learning these tunes for your own gigs, or whether you just want to entertain yourself at home. (a big plus: you'll be a hit at parties if you can sit down at a piano and play any number of these tunes, like "tiny dancer" or "rocket man" or "goodbye yellow brick road"). Don't hesitate to buy this book, it is accurate and user-friendly.
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