OK, so I’m a sucker for Greatest Hits…they’re economical. And, I do have the “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” CD and “The One”. But, I wonder…what else should I buy?
Brown Dirt Cowboy?
Don’t Shoot Me, I’m Only The Piano Player?
Rest of the Westies? (I think it’s titled)
Caribou?
So, tell me…what’s a must for my collection? (Extra Credit: What ever happened to Elton’s “Ego” song of the 1970’s? I can’t find it anywhere…) - Jinx
You’re thinking of Rock of the Westies.
My personal favorite is Don’t Shoot Me, I’m Only The Piano Player. Second on my list is Honky Chateau.
It can be found on the box set “…to be continued” and the extended remaster of A Single Man.
I would love to see the video again.
A Single Man
YBR is by far the best. Since you already have it…
Actually, this gave me an idea for an OP
“Honkey Chateau” is his best, but I’d also suggest "11/17/70*, " where he really rocks out.
*British title: “17/11/70” 
Nothing else even comes close to Madman across the water
* Tiny Dancer
* Levon
* Razor Face
* Madman Across The Water
* Indian Sunset
* Holiday Inn
* Rotten Peaches
* All The Nasties
* Goodbye
No filler at all.
Another vote for Madman Across the Water. Although I really like 11/17/70 as well. Actually, I really like most of them. But those are the grooviest, I’d say.
Honky Chateau and Madman Across the Water are superb, but I have a fondness for Tumbleweed Connection. I was away from home one summer way back in high school and nobody else spoke much English. A guy I met did, however, have Tumbleweed Connection and we listened to it endlessly. It’s thematic and very different from much of Sir Elton’s other work–and several of the songs kick ass. Country Comfort is a particular favorite.
If I had to pick my favorite EJ song it would be Levon, hands down.
I’m not much of a fan of Sir Elton’s works, but even I like the “Beyond the Yellow Brick Road” album.
Great Og! I’m agreeing with Reeder! 
**Madman
YBR
Tumbleweed**
IMHO of course.
* Ballad Of A Well-Known Gun
* Country Comfort
* Burn Down The Mission
One has to remember that Elton’s lyricist was Bernie Taupin on his early stuff.
Isn’t Bernie still ELton’s lyricist?
Unfortunately I find that I only like a handful of EJ’s songs and so I’m reluctant to commit to an album, though I do have Yellow Brick Road. I might try some of the above suggestions.
On and off.
I’m surprised that a person of your intelligence and discernment isn’t all over his music. 
The guy is brilliant, in my book.
For some reason I favor Caribou before the others-but it’s tough call-they’re all so good.
Flashback to high school days and an 8 track tape player-Woo!
You’re too kind (to me), the ones I like, I really really like, there just aren’t enough of them. It’s also a general problem I have with music. I find it fairly difficult to find artists who consistantly put out music that I like–but then I’m not very proactive in my search.
Here is another vote for Madman Across the Water. Brilliant! I think Indian Sunset is one of my favorite all time songs. It is so beautiful, but the whole disk is.
We chime in for ‘Don’t shoot me, I’m the only Piano Player.’
Cuz it has ‘Crocodile Rock’ on it.
SLK
I love Tickin. And of course I’ve seen the saucers. I always wanted to do a cover of that song.
That and Captian Fantastic are my favourites. Captain Fantastic has some really cool dark lyrics. We all fall in love sometimes are some of the best love song lyrics ever written. (they aren’t sticky sweet but have a real life quality to them)
Um, I’d hardly describe Elton’s relationship with Bernie Taupin as “on and off”. Of the 26 studio albums Elton has released (i.e. not live albums or compilations), Bernie has been the main lyricist on over 20 of them. And that includes the last 10 albums released. And even on the albums where Bernie didn’t write all the songs, he still wrote most of them. Yes, Elton works with other lyricists for musical theatre projects, etc., but for studio albums they’re still going strong.
As for recommendations, I always look at it as if there are two Eltons to choose from: the younger, higher-voiced Elton who occasionally rocked the house, and the soulful, deeper-voiced Elton whose voice gives you chills. I’d say Songs From the West Coast, which was the album he released just before his most recent one, is fantastic because he’s got that deep voice, but the songs are reminiscent of those written in the early years, a la Captain Fantastic.