E043 | New Arrivals: All Elton Vinyl Acquisitions I Didn't Show You in 2024

[@herculesstudioltd]

BIG THANK YOU FOR THE SHOUT OUT (Hercules Studio V2 means v2 as a few fans that were jelous about my collection and reported every video everytime i uploaded somthing and didnt like my content and youtube took my channel down after 12 years over 3500 subs and 4000 video's so i have to start all over again

[@CollectingElton]

Glad you didn't give up!

[@richardleclear]

Mwrry Christmas Matt! Nice pick-ups, rhanks for sharing your goodies. That "Friends" promo copy is quite rare, shame it wasn’t complete, but keep your eye out as you may find the rest of it for sale on eBay eventually.

[@CollectingElton]

Merry Christmas to you too. And yes, perhaps one day I'll find the rest of that promo kit!

[@marktubeie07]

Happy holidays Matt - great vid as usual with interesting info for me to keep in mind when I'm out hunting!!

[@CollectingElton]

Thanks. Much more to come!

[@Capt.Ego-78]

Thanks for sharing. I can always count on you to teach me something new! Very interesting nuggets of knowledge this time. Happy Festivus to you, too!

[@CollectingElton]

"Frank invented a holiday? He's so prolific." Lol

[@Capt.Ego-78]

It’s a Festivus Miracle!

[@LogoKroko]

Can't wait to watch it! I wish you a merry Christmas and a joyful time! Could you make a video on all parts of "Act of war", please?

[@CollectingElton]

Re: "Act of War"... I'll see what I can do. It's one of my least fave EJ tracks(!). A buddy of mine in the UK has tracked as many "parts" as one can; I'd probably have to consult with him first. There's one part he's been looking for for years, and I think it may have been promo-only. You're right though; it would make a good video topic.

[@GB-fl1xr]

Hello Matt! Some cool stuff there. Appriciate theese videos,thanks! Regarding the Friends promo pressing...as that album is my fav from the man himself,I've just got my hands on the Open-ended Paramount promo interview vinyl with Elton including all the songs too that he's been singing on the album. Have you heard about that? Mine also has the script sheets for it as well. I've read in a 70's news article about 1000 pieces were made and sent out to radios stations across the U.S. and it was never sold commercially.

[@CollectingElton]

Holy schnikes, @GB-fl1xr!! As I'm sure you well know, that _Friends_ promo interview disc is a grail in *any* shape, but with the interview script it's like a "super grail" or something. I've never seen one, never mind bought one. Really amazing that you found that -- congratulations!

[@derekking9824]

Nice one Matt, some great pick-ups! Thnx for sharing 😀🤣😀 Merry Christmas

[@CollectingElton]

Merry Christmas to you! (Looks like it's already Christmas Eve in your neck of the woods. A warm one too!)

[@derekking9824]

@@CollectingElton Yes indeed, well over the 30 degree (celcius) mark! enjoy the cooler climes!

[@shineonugrzydieman]

Thanks for sharing. The Very Best of Elton John was a very big seller 2cd & 2vinyl in New Zealand (Australia pressings). Wonderful collection. Seems you don't have enough Caribou albums lol. New Zealand had 1 pressing if your interested (no difference in artwork & labels except Festival New Zealand references). All the best for festive season New Year.

[@CollectingElton]

And I believe the Aus copies of "Very Best" were cut DMM by EMI -- isn't that correct? I have vinyl 10 copies of _Caribou_ on vinyl now. And 20 copies of _Friends_ on vinyl. It's getting kinda nuts now!

[@shineonugrzydieman]

@CollectingElton Unsure regards DMM of The Very Best of Elton John 2lp Oz pressing. I'm currently on holiday so can't check my physical copies. I know there was only 1 vinyl pressing & about 5 cd variations released in Australia/ New Zealand (very popular - kept selling from fatty to slim cases). Confusingly there was a single TV budget release same title (1989?) same title. discogs names it The Very Best of ...Elton John (3 dots in title). Hope you get great Elton items for Christmas Mike

[@eltonfan75]

Great video as always and happy holidays! Thanks for sharing so many great EJ finds with us.

[@CollectingElton]

Thanks. Much more to come!

[@douglasstruthers8307]

I was just looking last night for the first time into buying a vinyl copy of the VERY BEST OF (1990) on vinyl. Not cheap! I understand that "The _itch is Back" and "Pinball Wizard," which are on the CDs, are not on the vinyl release! Two major omissions! Still, I'd like to see a re-release - not likely with DIAMONDS continuing to see and stream so well. I do recall those "Mister Sound" stores! I spent a lot of time at "Sam's" of course and "A&A" stores but especially in "Records on Wheels" in Guelph. Eventually, HMV, of course. I had never seen a gatefold for 21 AT 33 - cool. Hopefully Santa brings you some new record crates for your ever-expanding EJ collection! Merry Christmas and thanks for all of these Collecting Elton videos!

[@CollectingElton]

Yes, and I believe a few of the versions that made the 2LP version may have been edited or faded early. I'm embarrassed to say I've never played either of my vinyl copies, so I'm just going by what I've been told by other collectors. But even with edits, early fades, and blatant omissions, they did squeeze quite a bit onto those two LPs. Some of the UK copies were cut DMM and some not; my UK copy appears to be a non-DMM copy but it was done by Miles Showell, back when he worked at Copymasters. When you say that vinyl copies of _Very Best of_ are not cheap, I imagine that the overseas shipping costs contribute to that more than the item price. That was the case, even about four years ago when I was shopping for one online. I now understand why: Despite that the LPs in both the UK and Dutch Rocket copies are quite thin, the sleeve (which has custom inners, sometimes printed on coated cardstock) is quite hefty, so the sheer weight will also contribute to that. I waited years and finally one day I found an original UK copy in a Canadian store not far from here. Sticker price? $15 Cdn. Or maybe it was $20 Cdn. Either way, it was a bargain. I've also seen them at large record fairs, which are becoming a bigger marketplace for collectors since you save so much by eliminating the ridiculous shipping charges. In any event, good luck on your quest to find a vinyl copy of that. And thanks very much for your loyal viewership throughout the year!

[@BalderBorador]

I don't know if you've mentioned it in a past video but do you collect Elton John LaserDisc s? Two reasons why I mention LaserDiscs. 1st: The first LP set you showed, the very best of Elton John, has the exact same cover as my Japanese LaserDisc of the same name! That was a major focus with Elton John and collecting him. Not him personally, obviously! 😅 But his music, video collections & concerts. I still have a LaserDisc player but I need to take it apart I think that the belt needs to be replaced. That Laser Disc in particular because I bought them off of a Japanese dealer in my state. Along with, Queen's greatest Hits volume two. I did pay big bucks for them because I was into video editing since the analog days! And also, there's no such thing as a bad Elton John video! I just wish that he would release a complete video collection with some rare videos like "Ego"! But maybe I'm childish, foolish... Before school-ish! 👓👨🏼‍🏫🕶️ Sorry, that's one of my favorites! I know most people don't even know the song! What a bunch of Flintstone boys! 😅 2nd: I have a bunch of rare Elton LaserDiscs ! I even have the super rare, "Visions" that is from the original days of LaserDisc where laser rot was a horrifying issue that only gets worse over time. The only one I could never find believe it or not, was promoted through Pioneer as "The Future Of Home Entertainment"!, "Live at Central Park". In fact, I still don't have a copy on any video format of that entire concert!! Now I have moved a few times and I need to take stock of what is in the collection. off the top of my head I can't remember the exact names. I know you'll set me straight with this... But I had one disc that was the daytime concert and one disc that was the night time concert. Oddly enough, each disc was put out by a different company! I had them on VHS but of course LaserDisc back then was a far superior format! A lot of my LaserDiscs got ruined in a flood. And with the exception of fire, humidity or water where are the biggest enemies to the discs! I know I also had the Russian concert with Ray Cooper. Live in Australia which I loved! The "Two Rooms" documentary which I played constantly too! My favorites are Stings version of "Come Down In Time" & Sinead O'Connor's haunting and beautiful rendition of "Sacrifice"! 😢 What's in that double album cover, got me thinking that I just needed to ask you. If I cannot get my LaserDisc player working, would you possibly be interested in them? I would even do a trade with you. I think there are more, including possibly an 8" disc. It's been too long since I've looked at my LaserDiscs! I even have many of The Monkees TV episodes! Asset put out by Columbia Pictures, and then years later Rhino put out three or four volumes. I am trying to complete my Elton John SACD collection. I have the self-titled and Tumbleweed Connection only. I do realize how hard it is to find Captain Fantastic. But there is madman across the water, honky chateau, goodbye yellow brick Road.... Wasn't there one done of Peachtree Road? I've also seen the hits sampler disc. Am I forgetting any? I also need to ask you how you are playing your SACD's my Blu-ray player is an SACD player but somehow, I can't get it to play to my receiver. I'm wondering if it needs to be going to an HDMI cable direct to the receiver. I have tried everything. But I have noticed that even the CD version on the discs sound vibrant! If you'd like to talk about this outside of KZbin, I do have a Facebook account and would gladly accept you as a friend! Musically, we'd have a lot to talk about! Just as a for instance, EJ has saved my life many times! And I do not look like putting my personal stuff in the comment section on KZbin! 😮 But I'm guessing you'll be the only one that's reading this! Thanks again and show me this incredible collection you have! We also need to talk Monkees because my collection of the Monkees is much like your Elton collection! That is another trade conversation we can have! Even Nesmith solo! Or any of them solo for that matter! Anyway, I've gabbed enough! I hate communicating through email! It's an antiquated system to me! 😅 Have yourself a Happy Christmas and I hope you get more of 🎁🎁🎁🎁🧑🏼‍🎄

[@CollectingElton]

I have a few Elton LaserDiscs: "To Russia with Elton" (US/NTSC version), "Live in Central Park" (US/NTSC version; I also have a 2-DVD "import" copy of the extended Japanese edition), "Live in Australia" (NTSC version), and "Live in Barcelona: World Tour 1992". I also have North American CED copies of "To Russia with Elton" and "Visions". Luckily, none of the LDs in my collection have begun to rot, but the edges of the "Live in Barcelona" disc are leaking glue, and anything that touches them will stick to them. I never had a LD player. I always wanted one but of course that was out of the question because VHS tapes and VCRs were just much cheaper. I was grateful when DVDs showed up and, a few years later, came down in price. By then it was time for VHS to call it a day!

[@gavaxemanspins]

Nice finds - can’t beat a bit of Sir Elton 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@CollectingElton]

Thank you! Sir Elton is indeed a Golden God of Music.

[@MichaelEnglish-m2j]

Thanks for sharing. Brilliant as usual. You didn't show it, but is the label for that 21 @ 33 album the same as the cover art without the hands? I know that the US version had the custom label. I also noticed that the Mexican version of Too Low didn't have the die-cut cover. Was the die-cut unique for the US or did other countries also provide the die-cut when initially released?

[@CollectingElton]

Thanks, Michael. That Norwegian "21" label is not the custom design; it's a standard "blue/orange train" Rocket. The Mexican Rocket "Too Low" does not have die-cut detailing on its cover. I have ten vinyl copies of "Too Low" ca. 1983 to 2017; and, except for the "second issue" US/Can Geffens, the Mexican Rocket copy's the only copy I have whose sleeve doesn't have the die-cut detailing. The rest do.

[@deanloa1516]

Another great video, Matt. Sorry it's been a while since I've commented. School's constricted a lot of my time, but I've still been keeping up with the videos. Now it’s break, so I actually have time to write. About that The Very Best Of Elton John, I was gonna comment on the sound quality of it, but it seems you already answered by question. I always assumed it wouldn't sound good with all those songs crammed onto it. That Friends promo copy is interesting. Been waiting for the video on it. It would be cool to find those extras that go with that promo package. I've got many questions about it, but I'm sure you'll cover that in your video about it. Speaking of Friends, what did you think of that Monarch pressing? That was probably a few months ago now, but I'm still just wondering. Although, if you're saving that for a later video then I wouldn't mind waiting. Nice to see that copy of the self titled album I recommended. Even though I recommended it, it seems like you already know more about it than me. You know more about the pressing plants and such than I do. I'll be waiting for your comments on it in a future video (if it's featured in one, anyway).

[@johngalt5411]

What do you think about Caribou? Life long EJ fan since around the release of Madman & I still don't know what to think of it. I love Bitch, Don't Let and Ticking but that's about it. And right on the heals of Yellow Brick Rd which was brilliant.

[@CollectingElton]

On my list, _Caribou_ ranks somewhere in the mid-twenties (out of forty-one places). My video "E036 | Ranking My Favorite Elton John Albums, #21 to #31" covers that group of ten -- please give it a watch if you haven't already; it's not too long. To sum it up, I like certain songs on _Caribou_ but overall I find the album lackluster -- and that's being polite. I must admit I held my commentary back when I prepared E036 because I didn't want to hurt too many feelings. But EJ and the boys took about 2 weeks to write and record that album, and I think it shows. The decision to put the ToP horns on many tracks afterward was, I think, Dudgeon's "hail Mary" attempt to make half-great what he well knew wasn't so great. And, in the process, one or two great tracks were not improved at all -- quite the opposite, I think ("Bitch" and "Sick City", for instance). But some songs save it. Personally, I like "Solar Prestige" a lot and "I've Seen the Saucers", which happen to be two tracks many fans (and many lovers of _Caribou_ I've noticed) dislike. Oh well; it's all a matter of perspective, I guess.