Elton John today announces the forthcoming release of Elton: Jewel Box. Set for release on November 13th, Elton: Jewel Box is an unrivalled collection containing 148 songs spanning 1965 to 2019 on 8CD, 4LP, 3LP, 2LP, digital download and streaming formats.
The ultimate exploration into Elton’s extensive back catalogue, Elton: Jewel Box covers deep cuts, rarities from the earliest stages of his and Bernie Taupin’s musical journey, B-side spanning 30 years, and songs discussed in his best-selling, critically acclaimed 2019 memoir Me. The 8 CD boxset of buried treasures comes in a beautiful hardcover book with the discs housed in the back, all wrapped in an outer slipcase. Each section comes accompanied by extensive notes, including a track-by-track commentary by Elton for Deep Cuts. Three different LP collections are also available to pre-order now – a 4LP gatefold black vinyl set of Deep Cuts (curated by Elton himself), a 3LP gatefold black vinyl set of Rarities and B-side highlights, and a 2LP gatefold black vinyl set And This Is Me…. All audio was mastered at Abbey Road Studios by GRAMMY-winning mastering engineer Sean Magee. With an unprecedented number of previously unheard and unreleased tracks painstakingly excavated from deep within the UMG archives, this is the ultimate treasure trove for Elton John fans.
As a first taster of some of the many gems gathered within Elton: Jewel Box, “Sing Me No Sad Songs” is today unveiled for the very first time. Previously unreleased, the track was written and recorded as a band demo in 1969. “Sing Me No Sad Songs” is a fascinating first taste of what was to come from Elton and lyricist Bernie Taupin, and one that mentions not one, but two, future smashes in its lyrics – “Sad Songs (Say So Much)” from 1984’s Breaking Hearts album and Elton’s first UK chart-topping single “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” from 1976.
Speaking of the 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 boxset. I’m sure my fans will enjoy it as much as I have.”
Elton: Jewel Box compromises of the below formats:
Disc Guide
Discs 1 & 2: Deep Cuts – A selection of personal favorites, curated by Elton. The box set book includes a track-by-track commentary by Elton.
Discs 3, 4, and 5: Rarities 1965 -1971 – Elton’s much sought-after 1960s and early 1970s demos and music that cemented the foundations of the iconic Elton John / Bernie Taupin writing partnership. The compelling, previously unreleased, missing piece in his illustrious career. Daryl Easlea narrates this fascinating story with contributions from those who were there at the time. These discs encompass 65 songs, all but a few of which have been stored in the vaults for more than 50 years. Most of these demos were recorded during sessions before Elton was signed to a recording contract or released his first album. Also included are 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. The packaging appropriately contains rare archival artwork and select original lyric sheets.
Discs 6 & 7: B-Sides 1976-2005 – Non-LP tracks and flipsides, never before compiled together. 36 gems that are now given another chance to sparkle – 17 previously only available on vinyl, resulting in all of Elton’s studio B-sides now being offered digitally for the first time in his career.
Disc 8: And This Is Me . . . – To coincide with the release of the updated paperback edition of Me, the final collection celebrates the songs mentioned by name by Elton in his acclaimed autobiography, closing Jewel Box with the 2020 Academy Award-winning duet with Taron Egerton, “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again.”
Elton: Jewel Box is yet another marker in an incredible few years for the world’s favourite singer-songwriter. Since the release of the ultimate greatest hits album Diamonds in 2017, Elton has undertaken a breathtaking 3 years of activity that are unmatched in their ambition, reach and impact across generations of music fans. Elton announced his record-breaking Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour at New York’s Gotham Hall in January 2018, with a typically forward-looking virtual reality spectacular. Encompassing 5 continents and over 300 dates, this 3-year-long tour started in September 2018 and marks his retirement from touring after more than 50 years on the road. August 2018 saw Elton named as the most successful male solo artist in Billboard Hot 100 chart history. In 2019, the Farewell Tour was named Billboard’s Top Rock Tour and Pollstar’s Major Tour Of The Year. 2019 also saw the release of Elton’s critically acclaimed global bestselling autobiography, Me. The 2019 epic fantasy musical motion picture of Elton’s life, Rocketman, has been a commercial and critical hit, taking over $200m at the box office. It has won an Oscar, 2 Golden Globe Awards, and a Critics’ Choice Award, and garnered BAFTA nominations. Its soundtrack was also nominated for a GRAMMY Award. 2019 also saw Elton awarded the Légion d’ honneur, France’s highest award, for his lifetime contribution to the arts and the fight against HIV/AIDS. He was also honoured with both a Royal Mail stamp collection and Royal Mint coin collection. Diamonds, the ultimate greatest hits package of Elton and Bernie, has spent a staggering 148 consecutive weeks in the UK album charts, including 29 weeks in the Top 20 in 2020 alone, selling over a million copies worldwide in the process and recently reaching double-platinum status in the UK.
An unparalleled career that has forever changed the cultural landscape, Elton John’s collaborations with Bernie Taupin and others continue to shape the cultural landscape, break records, top charts, and win new fans across the generations. We’ve had the book, the film, the farewell tour, the fashion collections, and the greatest hits. And now, with Elton: Jewel Box, fans finally have the treasure trove of previously unheard and unreleased tracks they have been waiting for from the world’s favourite singer-songwriter.
Available Formats:
8CD Boxset (hardcover book in slipcase)
4LP Bespoke Gatefold Black Vinyl Set Jewel Box – Deep Cuts
3LP Gatefold Black Vinyl Set Jewel Box – Rarities and B-Sides
2LP Gatefold Black Vinyl Set Jewel Box – “And This Is Me…”
Digital Download
Streaming
8CD BOX SET TRACKLIST:
CD1: DEEP CUTS
Monkey Suit – Elton John and Leon Russell
Where To Now St Peter?
Mellow
The Ballad Of Danny Bailey (1909-34)
Chameleon
Gone To Shiloh – Elton John and Leon Russell
We All Fall In Love Sometimes
Too Low For Zero
The Power with Little Richard
All That I’m Allowed
The Bridge
The New Fever Waltz
Stone’s Throw From Hurtin’
The North
Hoop Of Fire
Boogie Pilgrim
CD2: DEEP CUTS
Ticking
Crystal
All Quiet On The Western Front
Tell Me When The Whistle Blows
Freaks In Love
Never Too Old (To Hold Somebody) – Elton John and Leon Russell
The Emperor’s New Clothes
House
(Gotta Get A) Meal Ticket
Understanding Women
Shoot Down The Moon
Have Mercy On The Criminal
Blues For Baby And Me
My Quicksand
Street Kids
CD3: RARITIES – PART ONE 1965 – 1968
Come Back Baby Bluesology
Mr. Frantic Bluesology
Scarecrow (Piano/Tambourine Demo)
A Dandelion Dies In The Wind (Piano Demo)
Velvet Fountain (Piano Demo)
A Little Love Goes A Long Way (Piano Demo)
If You Could See Me Now (Piano Demo)
Mr. Lightning Strikerman (Piano Demo)
Countryside Love Affair (Piano Demo)
I Could Never Fall In Love With Anybody Else (Piano Demo)
I Get A Little Bit Lonely (Piano Demo)
The Witch’s House (Piano Demo)
Get Out Of This Town (Piano/Tambourine Demo)
Year Of The Teddy Bear (Piano Demo)
Where It’s At (Piano/Percussion Demo)
Who’s Gonna Love You (Piano/Percussion Demo)
Nina (Band Version)
Angel Tree (Piano/Guitar/Tambourine Demo)
Here’s To The Next Time (Piano/Tambourine Demo)
Thank You For All Your Loving (Band Version)
Watching The Planes Go By (Band Version)
When The First Tear Shows (Arranged Band Version)
Tartan Coloured Lady (Arranged Band Version)
CD4: RARITIES – PART TWO 1968
Hourglass (Band Version)
71-75 New Oxford Street (Band Demo)
Turn To Me (Arranged Band Version)
Reminds Me Of You (Piano Demo)
I Can’t Go On Living Without You (Arranged Band Version)
And The Clock Goes Round (Piano Demo)
When I Was Tealby Abbey (Piano Demo)
I’ll Stop Living When You Stop Loving Me (Piano Demo)
Trying To Hold On To A Love That’s Dying (Piano Demo)
Sitting Doing Nothing (Band Version)
Regimental Sgt. Zippo (Band Version)
Cry Willow Cry (Band Demo)
There Is Still A Little Love (Band Demo)
If I Asked You (Band Demo)
Skyline Pigeon (Piano Demo)
Two Of A Kind (Arranged Band Version)
The Girl On Angel Pavement (Arranged Band Version)
Smokestack Children (Arranged Band Version)
Baby I Miss You (Band Demo)
All Across The Havens (Piano/Guitar Demo)
Bonnie’s Gone Away (Piano/Guitar Demo)
Just An Ordinary Man (Piano Demo)
There’s Still Time For Me (Piano/Guitar/Tambourine Demo)
CD5: RARITIES – PART THREE 1968 – 1971
The Tide Will Turn For Rebecca (Piano Demo)
Dick Barton Theme (Devil’s Gallop) – Bread And Beer Band
Breakdown Blues – Bread And Beer Band
Taking The Sun From My Eyes (Arranged Band Version)
It’s Me That You Need (Band Demo)
Sing Me No Sad Songs (Band Demo)
The Flowers Will Never Die (Piano Demo)
In The Morning (Band Demo)
Open Your Eyes To The Sun (Piano/Tambourine Demo)
One Time, Sometime or Never (Band Demo)
Slow Fade To Blue (Piano/Guitar Demo)
Rolling Western Union (Piano Demo)
My Father’s Gun (Piano Demo)
Amoreena (Piano Demo)
Burn Down The Mission (Piano Demo)
Razor Face (Piano Demo)
Madman Across The Water (Piano Demo)
Holiday Inn (Piano Demo)
All The Nasties (Piano Demo)
CD6: B SIDES – PART ONE 1976-1984
Snow Queen – Elton John and Kiki Dee
Conquer The Sun
Cartier
White Man Danger
Tactics
Steal Away Child
Love So Cold
Les Aveux – Elton John and France Gall
Donner Pour Donner – Elton John and France Gall
J’veux D’la Tendresse
Fools In Fashion
Can’t Get Over Getting Over Losing You
Tortured
Hey Papa Legba
Take Me Down To The Ocean
Where Have All The Good Times Gone? (Alternate Mix)
The Retreat
Choc Ice Goes Mental
A Simple Man
CD7: B-SIDES – PART TWO 1984-2005
Lonely Boy
Highlander
Billy And The Kids
Lord Of The Flies
Rope Around A Fool
Medicine Man
I Know Why I’m In Love
Big Man In A Little Suit
God Never Came Here
The North Star
Did Anybody Sleep With Joan Of Arc
So Sad The Renegade
A Little Peace
Keep It A Mystery
How’s Tomorrow
Peter’s Song
Things Only Get Better With Love
CD8: AND THIS IS ME . . .
Empty Sky
Lady Samantha
Border Song
My Father’s Gun
All The Nasties
I Think I’m Going To Kill Myself
Philadelphia Freedom
Song For Guy
Sartorial Eloquence
Elton’s Song
Cold As Christmas (In The Middle Of The Year)
I Fall Apart
Amazes Me
The Last Song
American Triangle
(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again – Elton John and Taron Egerton
4LP BESPOKE GATEFOLD BLACK VINYL SET – DEEP CUTS TRACKLIST:
LP 1
Side A:
Monkey Suit – Elton John and Leon Russell
Where To Now St. Peter?
Mellow
The Ballad Of Danny Bailey (1909-34)
Side B:
Chameleon
Gone to Shiloh – Elton John and Leon Russell
We All Fall In Love Sometimes
Too Low For Zero
LP2
Side A:
The Power – with Little Richard
All That I’m Allowed
The Bridge
The New Fever Waltz
Side B:
Stone’s Throw From Hurtin’
The North
Hoop Of Fire
Boogie Pilgrim
LP 3
Side A:
Ticking
Crystal
All Quiet On The Western Front
Side B:
Tell Me When The Whistle Blows
Freaks In Love
Never Too Old (To Hold Somebody) – Elton John and Leon Russell
The Emperor’s New Clothes
LP 4
Side A:
House
(Gotta Get A) Meal Ticket
Understanding Women
Shoot Down The Moon
Side B:
Have Mercy On The Criminal
Blues For Baby And Me
My Quicksand
Street Kids
3LP GATEFOLD BLACK VINYL SET – RARITIES AND B-SIDES TRACKLIST:
LP 1
Side A:
Come Back Baby (Bluesology)
Scarecrow (Piano/Tambourine Demo)
A Dandelion Dies In The Wind (Piano Demo)
Velvet Fountain (Piano Demo)
Get Out Of This Town (Piano/Tambourine Demo)
Countryside Love Affair (Piano Demo)
The Witch’s House (Piano Demo)
Year Of The Teddy Bear (Piano Demo)
Side B:
A Little Love Goes A Long, Long Way (Piano Demo)
Mr. Lightning Strikerman Piano Demo)
I Couldn’t Fall In Love With Anybody Else (Piano Demo)
I Get A Little Bit Lonely (Piano Demo)
Nina (Band Version)
Angel Tree (Piano/Guitar/Tambourine Demo)
Here’s To The Next Time (Piano/Tambourine Demo)
LP2
Side A:
Watching The Planes Go By (Band Demo)
When The First Tear Shows (Arranged Band Version)
Tartan Coloured Lady (Arranged Band Version)
When I Was Tealby Abbey (Piano Demo)
Turn To Me (Arranged Band Version)
And The Clock Goes Round (Piano Demo)
I Can’t Go On Living Without You (Arranged Band Version)
Side B:
Regimental Sgt. Zippo (Band Version)
Cry Willow Cry (Band Demo)
Skyline Pigeon (Piano Demo)
Two Of A Kind (Arranged Band Version)
The Girl On Angel Pavement (Arranged Band Version)
Smokestack Children (Arranged Band Version)
There’s Still Time For Me (Piano/Guitar/Tambourine Demo)
LP 3
Side A:
The Tide Will Turn For Rebecca (Piano Demo)
Taking The Sun From My Eyes (Arranged Band Version)
Sing Me No Sad Songs (Band Demo)
Rolling Western Union (Piano Demo)
Amoreena (Piano Demo)
Madman Across The Water (Piano Demo)
Side B:
Snow Queen – Elton John and Kiki Dee
The Retreat
Billy And The Kids
Medicine Man
Peter’s Song
2LP GATEFOLD BLACK VINYL SET – “AND THIS IS ME…” TRACKLIST:
LP1
Side A:
Empty Sky
Lady Samantha
Border Song
My Father’s Gun
Side B:
All The Nasties
I Think I’m Going To Kill Myself
Philadelphia Freedom
Song For Guy
LP2
Side A:
Sartorial Eloquence
Elton’s Song
Cold As Christmas
I Fall Apart
Side B:
Amazes Me
The Last Song
American Triangle
(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again – Elton John and Taron Egerton
