I had a feeling this new album by elton john and leon russell was going to be great....but it has surpassed all expectations ...it is without a doubt one of the best new releases of the year....first i'll tell you the name of it...The Union...a kind of play on words.....for it is really more than a union..it is a collaboration of the highest order between two professional musicians who know their trade very well......elton and leon are both accomplished piano players and they also have very distinct voices ....put these two things together and you get a very special recording....produced by t bone burnett who uses is expertise of recording the sessions in analogue that gives the album its warm sound......but let's not forget the songs on the album....a mix of bluesy ,r n b, rock n roll and all in between....my personal faves are the first single " If It Wasn't For Bad".....the sad but soulful " When Love Is Dying".....and the Bernie Taupin penned " Gone To Shiloh".....yes you read that right bernie taupin is also involved in this project making it that much more special......and a slew of great session players are also included ....such as the legendary drummer Jim Keltner who has played with the likes of Steely Dan and Eric Clapton....to sum it all up the union is an excellent album which i highly recommend if you feel like listening to some great music.
