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Elton John Working With Neil Young on New Album

Sir Elton John is working on an album with longtime collaborator Bernie Taupin that will feature guest spots from Neil Young and others.

Sir Elton and Taupin are working with songwriter Leon Russell, and together the three have laid down 15 tracks for the album, according to an update on Taupin's website. Veteran producer T-Bone Burnett, recently in the news for his 'Crazy Heart' soundtrack accolades, is overseeing production of the recording sessions, as Taupin previously reported, and the trio is "about to start vocals and overdubs immediately."

The three have "cut fifteen songs ranging from Stones like rockers, Country tinged ballads, Gospel and even a Sinatra like weepy similar to something torn from the grooves of 'In the Wee Small Hours.'"

Taupin adds that the album is "varied in scope and drenched in a rich tapestry of atmospherics. Don't expect to hear the old EJ/BT sound; this is organic recording unlike anything you've heard from our duo before."

ABC News reports that Young and Booker T Jones will be featured on the album. The trio has also recruited guitarist Marc Ribot, bassist Dennis Crouch, and drummers Jim Keltner and Jay Bellerose, with more collaborations to come.

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jim

captain and the kid is one of elton's best especially of his post 70s albums. to each their own, but really, check out the reviews on it or better yet, go listen to it. elton did a great job on it. tinderbox, the house fell down, noah's ark, classics.

i've heard one of the songs from the upcoming album and was very underwhelmed. i hope the rest are better.

May 23 2010 at 2:57 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Andy Geisel

Oh, Ruben, give me a break ... yeah, "The Captain & The Kid" maybe had some problems with matching the sound of its prequel, but that's largely because Gus Dudgeon wasn't around to produce it. Otherwise, the playing and songwriting are just wonderful and you really should give it a few more listens instead of just dismissing it out of hand. I love what he's been doing ever since "Songs From The West Coast" and look forward to this new collaboration a lot!

May 14 2010 at 1:00 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
cbase125

Sir Elton John has made the best choice to have Neil Young on this album, because Neil is always following his muse, and when finds something like this, or it finds him, it's sure to be a hit. Great for you Sir Elton, because with having Neil Young in your muse, it's sure to be Silver, and Gold!

April 21 2010 at 7:01 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ruben

It sounds like a promising exciting new album of music on the surface but so did "The Captain & The Kid" and that turned out to be one of the worst albums I've ever heard from Elton. The truth is I'm not really looking forward to it or purchasing it upon release like I've done with every other Elton album. I just don't find him as magical as he used to be. Instead, I'll wait & listen to previews of this work if it sounds good I'm in...if not, well than all i can say is PLEASE RETIRE ELTON.

April 11 2010 at 10:54 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
jim

Neil!

wow, Elton must be writing some hip tunes to get Neil.

March 29 2010 at 10:02 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
R Morgan

anybody that thinks GOD was queer should have his head read

March 09 2010 at 12:28 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Bob Dee

who's Elton John ????

March 08 2010 at 11:41 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mark

Poor Elton!!!!!! I don't see any Exciting music or voice!!!! Funny El...

March 08 2010 at 4:24 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Doug

I think this collaboration, with John, Taupin, Russell - the celebrity sidemen and producer T-Bone Burnett, could prove to be a Grammy-nominated album. I think that, along with getting Russell in a well-deserved spotlight, were the main intentions. It has the chance of echoing the best, like the reader above said about TUMBLEWEED CONNECTION. I'll be looking for bite and a good mix of tempo - not ballads galore.

March 06 2010 at 11:12 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
rob h

Exciting. Elton was in awe of Leon Russell when he first came to the States in 1970, and Leon showed up at his first concert at the Troubadour in LA. This collaboration promises the kind of atmosphere that makes the best Elton music-- kind of rootsy, like his demos for Tumbleweed Connection vailable on the deluxe version of that CD. I'm glad Leon seems recovered from his brain surgery.

March 06 2010 at 7:39 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply