Every now and then a new Elton John compilation appears. The reason is simple: his music is good. After all, his admirers range from Thom Yorke (Radiohead) and Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day) to Japanese composer Nobuo Uematsu, who claims that 'no one writes a melody like him'.
Now we have Rocket Man: The Definitive Hits, a collection of John's 17 classic tunes from 1971 to 2007. The release celebrates John's 60th birthday next month. The album begins fittingly with Bennie And The Jets, the No 1 hit from John's classic double album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road released in 1974. The song, anchored by John's jaunty piano music, is one of his finest collaborations with Bernie Taupin, the lyricist who brings depth and meaning to his melodies.
Other memorable numbers include I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues, featuring Stevie Wonder on harmonica, Crocodile Rock, which is old-school rock 'n' roll fun, and Candle In The Wind, written in 1973 to honour Marilyn Monroe and then re-released in 1997 as a tribute to Diana, the late Princess of Wales. Although the piano man may be past his creative peak, his melodies - like the music of The Beatles - will stand the test of time.