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Elton John - Sir Elton Wept Over Russell's Albums - Contactmusic News

Sir Elton Wept Over Russell's Albums

SIR ELTON JOHN decided to resurrect the career of LEON RUSSELL after breaking down in tears while listening to the Sixties legend's old albums.

Russell met John in 1970 when he went to see one of his early shows in Los Angeles, and he invited the British singer to be his opening act on a handful of dates in New York.

The Rocket Man's career skyrocketed while Russell decided to take a hiatus, and largely faded from the spotlight.

But John decided to reach out to Russell last year (09) with plans for a collaboration to thank the veteran star for changing his life.

Russell recalls, "He said he'd been listening to some of my records, and he's just started crying because I'd meant so much to him and hadn't never done enough for me. I said, 'Well, you've been busy.' He said, 'Not that busy. Would you like to make a record?' So that was it."

The duo has co-written and recorded an album, The Union, in which they share vocals and play their pianos together.

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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.

Elton John - Sir Elton Wept Over Russell's Albums - Contactmusic News

Sir Elton Wept Over Russell's Albums

SIR ELTON JOHN decided to resurrect the career of LEON RUSSELL after breaking down in tears while listening to the Sixties legend's old albums.

Russell met John in 1970 when he went to see one of his early shows in Los Angeles, and he invited the British singer to be his opening act on a handful of dates in New York.

The Rocket Man's career skyrocketed while Russell decided to take a hiatus, and largely faded from the spotlight.

But John decided to reach out to Russell last year (09) with plans for a collaboration to thank the veteran star for changing his life.

Russell recalls, "He said he'd been listening to some of my records, and he's just started crying because I'd meant so much to him and hadn't never done enough for me. I said, 'Well, you've been busy.' He said, 'Not that busy. Would you like to make a record?' So that was it."

The duo has co-written and recorded an album, The Union, in which they share vocals and play their pianos together.

Elton John gets spotlight in limited run channel on satellite radio

A seven-day channel devoted to the music of Elton John will kick off Oct. 15 to celebrate the release of Elton John and Leon Russell's new album, "The Union."

The channel, called "Elton!," will feature music from throughout Elton John's career and interviews with friends like T-Bone Burnett, who produced the new album, and longtime lyric collaborator Bernie Taupin. Guest DJs, such as Robert Downey Jr. and tennis star Andy Roddick will also play some of their favorite Elton John music. The channel will also include music by Leon Russell, plus an interview with John and Russell conducted by director Cameron Crowe.

The limited-run channel will launch on Friday, October 15 at 3:00 pm ET and will run until Friday, October 22 at 3:00 am ET on SIRIUS channel 33 and XM channel 27.

And please by my new album!

Elton John: America Now Is Not the One I Used to Love Due to 'Gay Bashing' Trend

The Union by Elton John and Leon Russell | Rolling Stone Music | Music Reviews

5 Stars

David Fricke

2010 10 19

The Union is a rare gesture in a dying business: an act of gratitude. Elton John repays a long-standing debt of inspiration to Leon Russell — particularly the rowdy merger of soul, country and gospel rapture Russell perfected as a writer, pianist and arranger on 1969 and '70 albums by Joe Cocker and Delaney and Bonnie — by putting Russell in front of a classy big band, on his first major-label album in a decade. "Your songs have all the hooks/You're seven wonders rolled into one," John sings, ever the fan, in "Eight Hundred Dollar Shoes."

Read the rest here.

Take a listen to the whole album at NPR.org.

It's a rave...

Elton John Gives Leon Russell Lead Single on Great New CD

By: Roger Friedman in Music // October 8th, 2010 at 12:21 PM UTC

I’m kind of kvelling (which is Yiddish for tweeting, I think) about Elton John and Leon Russell’s album, “The Union,” set to be released on October 19th.

Sorry I can’t wait ten more days. And also, it’s a collaboration among Elton, Leon, and BernieTaupin, the lyricist who must be given dollops of credit. This trio has fashioned a landmark album, the kind of thing we used to take for granted in the good old Seventies and even Eighties.

“The Union” is indeed a union of these remarkable talents, but not only them. The group of musicians included comprises Neil Young on a surprise vocal, Rose Stone (sister of Sly) on percussion, and a group of legendary vets like Jim Keltner, Marc Ribot, George Bohanon, Robert Randolph, and Don Was.The whole package is produced by T Bone Burnett with wit, grace, intelligence, and a true understanding of all these musicians’ artistry.

ELTON JOHN AND LEON RUSSELL TO PERFORM LIVE ON “GOOD MORNING AMERICA” ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20th

October 08, 2010 1:14 PM

Interview To Air on Tuesday, October 19

Duo Will Also Appear on “The View,” Thursday, October 21

Two music legends, Elton John and singer songwriter Leon Russell, will perform live on ABC News’ “Good Morning America” on Wednesday, October 20th from the Beacon Theatre. The duo will perform new music from their upcoming album, “The Union,” as well as a classic Elton John song. This album marks the first time they have worked together in over 40 years.

Recorded live in the studio, “The Union” was produced by T Bone Burnett and features a variety of musical genres from R&B, soul, gospel, country, pop and rock. Icons Neil Young and Brian Wilson provide guest vocals on the 14-track record along with legendary R&B organist Booker T. Jones, steel guitarist Robert Randolph and a 10-piece gospel choir. “The Union” will be released October 19th on Decca.

American Idol Won't Let This Elton John Thing Go | Movieline

The first single from "The Union" is track with Leon on lead vocals and Elton on backgrounds. A catchy tune that begs to be heard again and again. A huge improvement over the first leaked track "I Should Have Sent Roses."

Elton John/Leon Russell - If It Wasn't For Bad by MMMusic

The rumor that just won't die...so will it happen?

Jessica SimpsonJustin Timberlake, Elton John to grill contestants on American Idol | Entertainment Biz!

A new wild rumour concerning American Idol is currently circulating in buzz. It is too radical to be credible. But it may be worthwhile to have a look on it.

Apparently they haven’t yet found a replacement for Simon Cowell (or, if they have, they haven’t cared to disclose it yet), but rumours have it that Idol is going for a complete judges overhaul and Justin Timberlake, Elton John and Jessica Simpson are set to replace Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi and Ellen DeGeneres.

From Bernie Taupin's site:

The Union Release Date

After several hugely successful private media playbacks “The Union” is scheduled for release October 19th in the US and October 25 in the UK, with a track being released to radio sometime in August.

As an exclusive to this web-site the track listing is as follows:

1. If It Wasn’t For Bad
2. Eight Hundred Dollar Shoes
3. Hey Ahab
4. Gone To Shiloh
5. Jimmie Rodger’s Dream
6. There’s No Tomorrow
7. Monkey Suit
8. The Best Part Of The Day
9. A Dream Come True
10. When Love Is Dying
11. I Should Have Sent Roses
12. Hearts Have Turned To Stone
13. Never To Old (To Hold Somebody)
14. The Hands Of Angels

Two bonus tracks “Mandalay Again” & “My Kind Of Hell” will be included on
both the vinyl and extended deluxe CD edition of the album.

Squashed again!

I think this would be a disaster if he agreed to become a judge on American Idol. So good news the rumors are being denied again. I don't know how he could do it anyway since AI is a long term commitment and it would most certainly impact on his touring schedule.

Justin Timberlake, Elton John Reps Deny 'American Idol' Talks - MTV News

By Gil Kaufman

It sounded a bit too good to be true — and it sounds like it was. News broke on Tuesday that season 10 of "American Idol" might bring the return of former executive producer Nigel Lythgoe, as well as some major changes to the show's judging panel.

Along with the possibility of a wholesale replacement of current judges Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi and Ellen DeGeneres, the Hollywood Reporter suggested that pop icons Elton John and Justin Timberlake were high on the list of candidates to fill the seat left empty following the departure last season of lead musical adjudicator, Simon Cowell.

But later on Tuesday, Deadline Hollywood reported that representatives for both John and Timberlake threw cold water on the rumors, denying that there's any possibility that either would consider the gig. An unnamed source close to Timberlake reportedly told the site that the story was "just silly" because the former 'NSYNC singer has no time for that kind of job.

Well not quite but its nice to see some common sense from Elton. The law prohibits racial-profiling and is more restrictive than the federal law that it is modeled after. But facts just don't matter to some people.

Welcome to the VRWC Elton!!

Elton John slams musicians who boycott Arizona over immigration law, report says

Never one to back out of a performance to make a statement, music icon Elton John offered some choice words for his fellow musicians who choose to boycott Arizona over the SB 1070 immigration law.

According to the Arizona Daily Star, while performing at his sold-out concert at the Tucson Arena, he said:

"We are all very pleased to be playing in Arizona. I have read that some of the artists won't come here. They are f***wits! Let's face it: I still play in California, and as a gay man I have no legal rights whatsoever. So what's the (expletive) with these people?"

Elton John writing musical adaptation of Animal Farm - Monsters and Critics

By Daniela Elser Jul 23, 2010, 12:30 GMT

Elton John is said to be working on a stage show based on George Orwell’s classic political novel Animal Farm.

The 63-year-old Piano Man is said to have teamed up with Lee Hall, who penned the musical Billy Elliot. Hall picked up an Oscar nomination as well as Tony and Olivier awards for his work on the hit production.

The producers had faced challenges acquiring the rights to the book. Hall explained, “It's taken about two years. We almost gave up, but there was always that one last licence to go after.”

Discussing the appeal of the text, Hall said, “The line ‘all animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others’ lend themselves to lyrics.”

“I'm deep into it, writing songs for pigs and other four-legged friends,” he told the Daily Mail.

Audiences can expect to wait about two years before the curtains are raised, says Hall.

First listen: Elton John, Leon Russell and T Bone Burnett unveil 'The Union' in Santa Monica | Pop & Hiss | Los Angeles Times

First listen: Elton John, Leon Russell and T Bone Burnett unveil 'The Union' in Santa Monica
July 22, 2010 | 3:19 pm

Elton John has always been passionate about his musical taste, always ready to throw his support behind new acts that capture his imagination, whether it’s the Scissor Sisters or Lady Gaga.

But in recent years he’s also been on a special mission to turn the spotlight on veteran artists who never got the attention he and other pop stars received, a key reason he dreamed up the Sundance Channel music interview and performance series “Spectacle,” and persuaded his friend Elvis Costello to take on the job as host.

That mission is front and center with “The Union,” his forthcoming duet album with fellow piano-pounding rocker Leon Russell, to whom John doffed his cap during the first episode of “Spectacle.”

TUCSON, Ariz. – A bout of food poisoning has caused the postponement of Elton John's scheduled concert at Tucson Arena.

The Arizona Daily Star reports that Wednesday night's show was nearly sold out with about 8,800 tickets purchased. Organizers say the British rocker will perform Thursday night instead.

A spokeswoman for the Tucson concert venue says John apologizes for the inconvenience caused by his illness, but doctors say he will be fine to take the stage Thursday.

And my reaction?

The Union by Elton John and Leon Russell. Photo: Annie Leibovitz, copyright: eltonjohn.com

So lets see, lets take two piano players, sit them down in front of their pianos in a room and take a picture. Brilliant! Sheer Annie Leibovitz genius. I would never have thought of that!

From Billboard magazine:

Elton John says his forthcoming collaboration with legendary singer, songwriter and sideman Leon Russell marks a new chapter in his recording career, saying: "I don't have to make pop records any more." Speaking at the launch of the album at the Electric Cinema in West London last night (July 5), John said: "I thought, 'The world isn't screaming for another Elton John record and I'm not screaming for it either unless it's going to be different. In the '70s, '80s and '90s, the record companies always said we had to have a single and I think I fulfilled my brief. But at 63, the singles chart isn't one I'm going to be in very often. To me now, it's all about writing albums and trying to be mature." John recruited Russell for the album, aptly entitled "The Union," after rediscovering Russell's music 40 years after they toured the United States together. Russell was a big name in the 1960s and 1970s, playing keyboards for the likes of Phil Spector and the Beach Boys, making solo records and writing songs including "A Song for You," "This Masquerade" and "Delta Lady." But he largely fell off the radar in the late 1970s and has suffered from poor health in recent years, although he kept touring. John described Russell as his "idol" and working with him as a "humbling and moving experience." He hopes the exposure from the album will bring new attention to Russell's solo output. "There's no point doing this record if it doesn't bring his work to light," said John. "I want him to be comfortable financially. I want his life to improve a little." John and Russell worked with John's long-time songwriting partner Bernie Taupin and producer T Bone Burnett on the collaborative project, which also features guest appearances from the likes of Neil Young and Brian Wilson. Journalists at the launch also heard a playback of the 16-track album, which has a rootsy, almost gospel sound, and was recorded live, with most tracks done "in one or two takes." In an entertaining Q&A session hosted by U.K.-based broadcaster Paul Gambaccini, John also held forth on Christmas albums ("My record company in America asked me to do a Christmas record and I just told them to fuck off"), videos ("I fucking hate videos") and even which of his songs would be the best introduction to his music for a 6-year-old ("Just show him 'The Lion King'"). John said he plans to tour with Russell next year and hopes to make another record with him if "The Union" is a success. He also plans to do a solo covers album in the near future. "The Union" will be released Oct. 19 in the United States on Decca Records, and Oct. 25 in the United Kingdom on Mercury.

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