Cameron Crowe's Elton John Documentary The Union To Premiere On HBO This Thursday

Cameron Crowe's Elton John Documentary The Union To Premiere On HBO This Thursday:

When thinking of musical unions between Elton John and someone else, Broadway fans might automatically think of Tim Rice, while music enthusiasts would likely think of Bernie Taupin. However, the Cameron Crowe directed documentary The Union chronicles a collaboration between John and fellow Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Leon Russell as they work together on their album, which shares a title with the film.

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Elton John to Madonna: Sync well at the Super Bowl | Detroit Free Press | freep.com

Elton John to Madonna: Sync well at the Super Bowl

Sir Elton John has some advice for Madonna in advance of her halftime gig during Sunday's Super Bowl XLVI: "Make sure you lip-sync good."
The "Rocket Man" singer said on "Good Morning America" Monday that outside of recent Super Bowl performances by the Rolling Stones and Prince he's never seen a decent Super Bowl halftime show -- "never ever."
Fans of John should expect to see him in a Pepsi advertisement Sunday with "X Factor" winner Melanie Amaro.

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Mr. Kraft, ‘Elton John is on the line for you’

Mr. Kraft, ‘Elton John is on the line for you’:

FOXBORO  As Robert Kraft was holding the new-fangledLamar Hunt trophy as AFC champions and talking about his late wife being the heavenly force that blew Billy Cundiffs 32-yard field goal wide left, he was handed a cell phone.
Its my pal Elton John, Kraft announced, after hosting Aerosmiths Steven Tyler in his owners suite as the Patriots beat the Ravens, 23-20, to advance to Super Bowl XLVI.
Hello, Elton! How are you my friend, Kraft said. Youre so kind.

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Murdoch Was Angry Over Sun’s Elton John Story, Inquiry Hears - Businessweek

Sounds like he was angry over the false story and not the money paid, which is the implication in the Guardian headline.

Murdoch Was Angry Over Sun’s Elton John Story, Inquiry Hears - Businessweek:

Jan. 9 (Bloomberg) -- News Corp. Chairman Rupert Murdoch took a hands-on approach to his U.K. newspapers, the Sun tabloids former editor told an inquiry into press ethics, recounting Murdochs reaction to a story about Elton John.

Murdoch was angry about the Sun paying a 1 million-pound ($1.54 million) settlement to the pop singer over a false news story in 1987, the inquiry heard today from Kelvin MacKenzie, who edited the Sun from 1981 to 1994. The story wrongfully claimed Elton John had paid for sex with underage rent boys.

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Elton John to pen personal story about AIDS | Reuters

This could be interesting...

Elton John to pen personal story about AIDS | Reuters:

(Reuters) - Elton John will write a personal account of his life during the AIDS epidemic, including his friendship with Queen frontman Freddie Mercury who died of an AIDS-related illness in 1991 aged 45.

The "Rocket Man" musician founded the Elton John AIDS Foundation around 20 years ago to raise funds to help fight the disease, and proceeds from "LOVE IS THE CURE: Ending the Global AIDS Epidemic" will go to the charity.

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Elton John on gnomes, lost songs and Justin Timberlake - chicagotribune.com

Interesting article...of course they screw up on one minor thing referring to the video for "This Train Don't Stop There Anymore" but aside from that a good read.

Elton John on gnomes, lost songs and Justin Timberlake - chicagotribune.com:

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Lady Gaga Reveals Elton John Duet For Next Album - Music, Celebrity, Artist News | MTV

Lady Gaga Reveals Elton John Duet For Next Album - Music, Celebrity, Artist News | MTV:

Publish Post


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New album: Elton John Working with Bernie Taupin and T Bone Burnett

Elton John Working with Bernie Taupin and T Bone Burnett

Elton John who has revamped his old Rocket Records label through a new business, the Rocket Music Entertainment Group, with artists James Blunt, Lily Allen, Leon Russell and Ed Sheeran has said hell begin his new album with T Bone Burnett next January.

HBO will air Elton John-Leon Russell documentary 'The Union' | Tulsa World

HBO will air Elton John-Leon Russell documentary 'The Union' | Tulsa World:

By KIM BROWN World Scene Writer
Published: 6/7/2011 2:27 AM
Last Modified: 6/7/2011 6:42 AM

HBO Documentary Films has acquired the rights to the film 'The Union,' which follows the musical collaboration and friendship between Elton John and his longtime idol, Tulsa's own rock legend Leon Russell.

According to various entertainment trade magazines and websites, such as Variety and Deadline, HBO plans to debut the documentary in January 2012. The film premiered at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival.

Directed by Cameron Crowe, the Oscar-winning writer and director of 'Almost Famous,' the film documents the musicians as they record their joint album, 'The Union,' which was released in 2010 and produced by T Bone Burnett."

Elton, David and Zachary

Tip to Elton John Corporation Blog

Elton wins, Leon Russell elected to Rock-n-Roll Hall Of Fame

Leon Russell was elected to the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame today and he can mostly likely thank Elton for the honor.  If not for Elton the Hall probably would not even had nominated him.

Oklahoma musician Leon Russell chosen for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

The National Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced their 2011 class on Wednesday and Oklahoma music legend Leon Russell is one of the inductees.

The big names announced for the 2011 inductees were shock rocker Alice Cooper and crooner Neil Diamond.

Rolling Stone's Best Albums of 2010: Elton and Leon at #3

Rolling Stone has put out its best albums of 2010 and Elton and Leon not only appear on the chart but RS has installed "The Union" as the third best album of the year.  And even with this honor RS still finds a way to show Elton the back of their hand...

Two rock giants, one largely forgotten, rekindle a friendship and make music that ranks with their best. Producer T Bone Burnett delivers his most spectacular production in memory, filled with shining steel guitar, chortling brass and gospel-time choirs. Ultimately, it's Russell's voice that shines brightest, drawing on the entire history of American popular music in its canny, vulnerable, knowing croon.

Elton and Leon nominated for Grammy

Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals

For a collaborative performance, with vocals, by artists who do not normally perform together. Singles or Tracks only.

Airplanes, Part II
B.o.B, Eminem & Hayley Williams
Track from: The Adventures Of Bobby Ray
[Rebel Rock/Grand Hustle/Atlantic]

Imagine
Herbie Hancock, Pink, India.Arie, Seal, Konono No 1, Jeff Beck & Oumou Sangare
Track from: The Imagine Project
[Hancock Records]

If It Wasn't For Bad
Elton John & Leon Russell
[Decca]

Telephone
Lady Gaga & Beyonc
Track from: The Fame Monster
[Streamline/KonLive/Cherrytree/Interscope]

California Gurls
Katy Perry & Snoop Dogg
Track from: Teenage Dream

Meet the woman in "Someone Saved My Life Tonight"

Classic Elton John song mentions Euless woman



12:00 AM CST on Friday, November 12, 2010

By PRESTON JONES / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News

EULESS – For most, "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" is just another classic rock song.

Even though the lyrics of 'Someone Saved My Life Tonight' aren't exactly flattering, Linda Hannon says she's not angry. 'There's no bitterness there,' she says.

For Linda Hannon, it's a pointed reminder of a very turbulent, confusing and painful time in her life.

In the summer of 1970, Hannon (then going by her maiden name, Woodrow) was engaged to a struggling musician, sharing a flat in London's East End with him and his collaborator and supporting all three of them with secretarial work. She had been in the relationship for nearly two years, but less than a month before the nuptials, Hannon's beau returned home late – around 4:30 a.m. – from a night of drinking with friends and told her it was over.

"I was devastated," Hannon, 66, says now, perched politely on the edge of her couch in her home in a quiet Euless subdivision.

The musician who got away was Reginald Dwight, best known to the world now as Elton John.

Billboard week 2 @ #6, week 3 @ #10, I'm impressed...

I was expecting "The Union" to plummet on the charts in its second week.  I assumed all the Elton and Leon fans bought it week one and that it would drop probably out of the top 20.  Well boy was I wrong.  It comes in at #6 for week two.

And now week three has just been released and its at #10.   Whoo Hoo!

Elton and Leon debut at #3 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart

Impressive....

Sugarland and Kings of Leon's sets are two of seven new entries in the top 10 this week. Following them at No. 3 is Elton John and Leon Russell's collaboration album, "The Union" (80,000), and at No. 4, Rod Stewart's "Fly Me To The Moon" (79,000).

For John, it's the legend's highest charting set since 1976's "Blue Moves" peaked at No. 3. John last reached the top 10 with the greatest hits set "Rocket Man: Number Ones" in 2007, when it debuted and peaked at No. 9. And, with "The Union's" 80,000 start, it marks John's best sales week since December 2002, when "Greatest Hits 1970-2002" shifted 108,000 over Christmas week. (Also impressive: "Union" earns him his highest frame for a studio effort since "The Big Picture" bowed with 101,000 at No. 9 in 1997.) As for Russell, he last went higher with the No. 2 set "Carney" in 1972, which spent four weeks in the runner-up slot. It's his highest charting set.

Speaking Clock Revue review in The Boson Globe

When I read crap like this I just shake my head;

[About Elton/Leon's set] While bold, their six-song set often felt out of step with the rest of the show, built on the notion that you cant have too much of a good thing. That left songs such as Gone to Shiloh (with a cameo by Allman) and Monkey Suit overstuffed, featuring the full house band, a horn section, four powerhouse soul sisters wailing behind them, plus the dueling pianos. The ear simply didnt know where to tune in.

This commenter hits it out of the park;

The show was fantastic. Mr. Reed, you are seriously wrong about the Elton/Leon set. It sounded amazing from where I was sitting. The drive of all of those fantastic (Neko was right--where are you going to find a better band?) musicians was like thunder on Monkey Suit and Hey Ahab. Such an expansive sound and all of it brilliantly played. Allman's performance was very poignant. Frail from his recent surgery, thanking the the donor of his liver and nervous but sincerely glad to be there. Them there Secret Sisters are going place, I'm telling you. The weak link in all of this was Mellencamp who plays with what comes off as what looks like a serious chip on his shoulder about something. What that something is is anyone's guess. And the songs? No better or worse than the rest of his catalogue. But then there was Elvis, Neko, that band! All of that--AND--Jeff Bridges. Just a great night.

The rest of the review can be found here.

Some videos from the show, pretty good quality;

The Speaking Clock Revue - Gregg Allman - Floating Bridge

The Speaking Clock Revue - Jeff Bridges

The Speaking Clock Revue - Gregg Allman & Neko Case - Midnight Rider

The Speaking Clock Revue - Leon Russell & Elton John - If It Wasn't For Bad

The Speaking Clock Revue - Leon Russell & Elton John w/Gregg Allman - Gone To Shiloh

Cry, baby!

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 Listen: Elton John And Leon Russell, 'The Union'
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• Music Review: Elton John and Leon Russell - The Union

My review...

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.

Cry, baby!

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.