Elton John And LeonRussell - The Union

Wed 9th Feb, 2011 in Music Reviews

The Union is a coming together of two piano playing songwriters that should have taken place decades ago. Leon Russell and *Elton John*may not have the vocal range they had in 1970, but we knew that would be the case. Elton has delivered a tribute and given Leon a chance at some accolades that he missed out on in his heyday. Imagine capturing the young Elton John with the already seasoned professional Russell when they were both at their peak in the early 70s?

Leon and Elton were slotted into the studio with analogue producer extraordinaire T-Bone Burnett and from the get-go you can hear that this is going to be a piano laden effort. If It Wasn’t For Bad, the first single, kicks it off with a note of gospel and then you hear that voice that could only be Leon. The production of the song also takes you back to a different time.

T-Bone Burnett brought in a bunch of seasoned veterans to play on the record that included Jim Keltner, Booker T. Jones and Neil Young, who adds a verse on the Civil War tinged Gone To Shiloh. Brian Wilson adds the choral arrangement on When Love Is Dying and you can almost hear the Beach Boys in the studio.

Close your eyes and it could be 1972.