The best three songs from this nine song collection are on the box set. Strip away those three and the rest of "Madman" ranges from album cuts that do no damage to rotten exercises in filler. Were I to pluck a fourth track for the box set it would probably be the album closer, "Goodbye".

That's not to say that the box set snaps up all desirable Elton John tracks. "Tumbleweed Connection" is an excellent album, much more consistent than this one, and is woefully underrepresented considering that the box is a 4CD set. And once you have the three choice cuts from "Madman" via the box set, the single album live set "11-17-70" would be a much stronger addition to your collection for this time period in Elton's career. That album of Elton raucously burning down the house back in his nightclub days is entirely unrepresented on the box set.

One gets the impression that after this album Elton, with or without the discreet advice of label execs, decided that he'd taken the singer-songwriter path about as far as he could. He wisely foresaw that the singer-songwriter fad would be running out of steam in the next year or so, and with his next album "Honky Chateau" he steered a course toward pop. Like "Madman", that album also was somewhat hit or miss, and its three best songs are also on the box set. This was a transitional time in Elton's career as he laid the groundwork for delivering some of the best pop singles and albums of the early-to-mid-70s.

Two words should do it: Classic Elton. But I'm a man of many words, so... The first album I ever bought - back when there was ONLY vinyl - was Elton's Honky Chateau. That started a love affair that I thought would never end. Unfortunately, it ended 15 or more years ago when Elton seemed to stop trying, but everything up to and including "Reg Strikes Back" has amazed me. As for this disc, there's a reason that "Tiny Dancer" and "Levon" still get constant radio play - they are totally awesome. But my favorite track is the title cut, a haunting song that Elton delivers with a passion I miss, but fortunately preserved for all time. Now remastered, it stands the test of time. "Goodbye Yellow Brick" may be Elton's career-defining disc, but this disc, although more raw, is a worthy addition to anyone who has even the slightest interest in the Great Sir Elton.

The standout track on this album for me is the incomparable "Levon". This track alone is worth buying the entire CD for - because it so powerfully complements the rest of the CD. "Levon" manages to be a brightly orchestrated, upbeat sounding pop song that is absolutely haunting after a good listen. This is a complex, intricate song with amazing strings and percussion, topped with Elton's driving piano and a slightly understated vocal, if anything Elton ever sings could be called understated. Bernie's lyrics give "Levon" its edge, and they create the perfect level of tension and foreboding in this song. A most unique, and at the time, quite daring song.

The rest of the CD is excellent as well, especially the title track, "Razorface" and the overplayed and now somewhat irritating "Tiny Dancer", which still takes me back over 30 years when I hear it. The best thing for this song as far as I'm concerned is that I harly ever listen to FM radio any longer, so when I put the CD on, TD sounds fresh again. "Indian Sunset" is another tension filled, occasionally haunting song, with a deeper message than the pop styling of the music might suggest. The last few songs tend to not do much for me, although I do like "All the Nasties", with that one and only Elton John piano line. This is a classic album from an artist who would go on to have every bit as great an influence on pop, rock and British Invasion music as anyone ever has.

MATW is EJ's and Bernie Taupin's best work by far, with melodies and harmonies which are by turns gorgeous, startling, powerful and delicate. Bernie's lyrics, which at other times could come off like ponderous faux-profundity, here seem perfect. These are not typical Top-40 pop songs, yet you can sing along with them...and want to. Of course "Tiny Dancer" is one of the most achingly beautiful and deeply passionate love songs ever written, and is today deservedly a standard. "Levon"'s story about class and familial alienation has to be almost unique in Top-40 history. And the other songs are just as good. Lush orchestral work by Paul Buckmaster. It's a must-have.

Madman is vintage ELton at his best. The first forur songs are classics, nevermind that the womnderul Levon and Tiny Dancer, possibly his best song is the title track. a often convoluted and confusing song lyrically but when one delves deep into teh meaning you can see the wonder and comlexity of Taupins lyrics, a must for any EJ fan