A major rip off!

As one review has already stated, these are not the original recordings. The sad thing is that it is packaged as if it is a quality disc. The art work is misleading and the title Essential has recently been used on a number of original recording sets. The fine print, once you know to look for it, only says, disc one 1996. However it is blended in to the middle of the paragragh on the back. Major con jop. Shame on this record company. The only redeeming quality is that John died in 1997 and there is some sentimental value to the fact that these recordings were so close to his passing.

A wrong turn down those "Country Roads"

I'm not quite as disappointed as some of the other reviewers over the fact that the first disc does NOT contain the original recordings of these songs. And it is rather silly to call disc two an "essential" anything -- it is just a re-release of the "Windsong" album. Still, it was a pleasant listen. Of course I can safely say that -- I checked it out from the library and decided not to purchase it. Hold out for the new "Definitive All-Time Greatest Hits."

warning 3- not original

I got this CD at a used record store, not realizing they weren't the original recordings. Very disappointing. He sounds like a tired middle-aged man trying to hold on to his glory days. His voice didn't hit the high notes very well on this recording, and in those parts it sounds gravelly. The originals were much better, even on my crappy computer speakers - John sounded happier and full of energy. I will get the original greatest hits vol 1&2 and hope to get rid of this one.