Some of his choices for guests are a bit puzzling: Bryan Adams adds little excitement to "Sad Songs (Say So Much)," while singer Ronan Keating of the British group Boyzone, a virtual unknown in the United States, is superfluous on "Your Song," perhaps Elton's most enduring tune (revived to considerably better effect on the Moulin Rouge soundtrack). On the other hand, Billy Joel is a good foil for Elton on "Yellow Brick Road," Mary J. Blige adds some soulful fervor to "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues," Kiki Dee shows up to duet with Elton on "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" for the first time in several eons, and the young American singer Anastacia is a revelation on a hard-rocking "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting." --Sam Graham