One Night Only: The Greatest Hits

Personnel: Elton John (vocals, piano); Bryan Adams, Anastacia, Mary J. Blige, Ronan Keating, Kiki Dee (vocals); Davey Johnstone, John Jorgenson (guitar, background vocals); Guy Babylon (keyboards); Bob Birch (bass, background vocals); Nigel Olsson (drums, percussion, background vocals); John Mahon (percussion, background vocals); Ken Stacey, Billy Trudel (background vocals).
Recorded live at Madison Square Garden, New York, New York on October 20 & 21, 2000 and Right Track Studios, New York, New York. Includes liner notes by John Tobler.
The President of Pop has a history of highly esteemed live albums, from the bare-bones 11-17-70 to the far more elaborate LIVE IN AUSTRALIA with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. So ONE NIGHT ONLY, drawn from a two-night stand at New York's famed Madison Square Garden, has a lot to live up to.
Fortunately for Sir Elton's fans, the album does not disappoint. The track list reads like a greatest hits package, including highlights from various phases of Elton's career. It doesn't hurt matters that the singer decided to breathe new life into chestnuts through the addition of some hotshot guest artists. R&B diva Mary J. Blige adds soul to "I Guess That's Why They Call it the Blues," and old pal Kiki Dee reprises her role as Elton's duet partner on the '70s hit "I've Got the Music in Me." The elder statesman of pop comports himself with both dignity and unbounded enthusiasm throughout this energetic live recording.