First there were the solo piano versions from Elton of "Never Too Old (To Hold Somebody)" and then "Gone to Shiloh" captured at recent concerts and posted on YouTube. Then we heard the first official studio version of one of the tracks, "I Should've Sent Roses" which was played on BBC radio and distributed over the internet.
After hearing these tracks I was left feeling somewhat, well, unimpressed.
I thought "Gone to Shiloh" and "I Should've Sent Roses" were rather dull. I did like "Never Too Old" and thought it had promise but did not think it was a must listen track but just ok.
Of course in between the leaking of those tracks came the official first single released to radio "If It Wasn't For Bad" and I loved it. With this track my hope for the album was restored. But I was still worried.
Now having listened to "The Union" several times on NPR's First Listen I can honestly say it is everything it has been hyped up to be. Elton and Leon Russell have created a collection of music that has something for everyone. Elton seems full of energy and Leon sounds like he never left the scene. The production from T-Bone Burnett is terrific and similar to what he did with Robert Plant and Alison Kraus on Raising Sand although here with a bit more edge to it.
Elton's vocals sound much better to my ears then anything he has done recently. Gone is the annoying habit of emphasizing the last syllable of certain words ("Pretty eye-DAH, pirate smile-AH, you'll marry a music ma-NAH!") and what sounds like yelling on some of the more up-tempo tracks. He still emotes more than he used to but to a lesser extent on this album. Ballads like "Eight Hundred Dollar Shoes" "The Best Part of the Day" and "When Love Is Dying" showcase Elton's vocals (is his voice getting deeper?) and he sounds wonderful.
Elton's more recent up-tempo tracks have left much to be desired. I was not expecting a lot from the tracks "Hey Arab" and "Monkey Suit" having been disappointed all too often in the past, especially after not being impressed by the 30 second clips posted on iTunes and Amazon. Happily these are two of the best up-tempo tracks Elton has written and recorded in a very long time. They both come off as very natural, not forced as some of his recent "rockers" have sounded.
It's amazing to me how well Leon's vocals mesh with Elton. These are two singers whom I never would have expected to team up, much less produce such a fantastic album. Leon shines on the tracks I mentioned as well as "If It Wasn't For Bad" "A Dream Come True" "Hearts Should Have Turned To Stone" and the very moving "The Hands of Angels."
And kudos to the musicians that play on the album as well. I was interested in how the album would sound with a different band and T-Bone Burnett's production and I was not disappointed. I especially love the Pedal Steel guitar on "Jimmie Rodgers Dream."
Ironically two of my favorites are "Gone to Shiloh" and "Never Too Old (To Hold Somebody). These songs work so much better with a full band and as duets with Leon. Neil Young's appearance on "Gone to Shiloh" in my opinion elevates the song from very good to a classic. He owns the second verse and very nearly turns the track into a Neil Young song. If Elton and Leon appear on the Grammys next year this is the song they should perform, hopefully with Neil Young as well.
So after all of my consternation about the new album I am now extremely happy by this union of Elton and Leon.
