Elton John & Leon Russell - I Should Have Sent Roses
68-year-old Leon Russell is the ultimate session musician. His prolific career has seen him play with B.B. King Jerry Lee Lewis, George Harrison, The Rolling Stones, Glen Campbell, and Eric Clapton to name but a few. Not many can boast a back-story like his, which verifies and lends weight to the gravelly vocal tone he possesses.
Long time fan and musical legend in his own right, Elton John, jumped at the chance to collaborate after managing to get in touch with the reclusive Russell. "In the late '60s and early '70s the one piano player and vocalist who influenced me more than anybody else was Leon Russell ," explains Elton in a video interview on his website. "He completely changed the way I thought about playing the piano and singing."
Upon release The Union was instantly well received, peaking at number 12 in the UK charts. Russell was resurrected while Elton John revisited his roots in a forward thinking way. Other contributors to The Union include Booker T Jones, Neil Young, Robert Randolph, and Brian Wilson. Production was also handled by T-Bone Burnett.
Below is an exclusive live performance featuring the two playing at the Beacon Theatre in New York. I Should Have Sent Roses showcases their respective talents perfectly, with both facing each other behind their piano's, complementing each other's vocals. The second single, When Love is Dying, will be made available from 31 January.
Words: Simon Butcher
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5:48 AM | 17/01/2011
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'The Union' is a great CD. Could you feature the rock song 'Hey Ahab' on 'track of the day'?
'Hey Ahab' is an awesome song! Should be a top-40 radio song!
-Keith
Posted by Keith Weeden at 2:53 AM | 19/01/2011 | Report Abuse
u always make me happy i lvoe u so much
Posted by Sanachai at 11:05 AM | 19/01/2011 | Report Abuse
Elton John and Leon Russel at the Fillmore East was my first concert! I'll never forget the rendition of 60 Years. Or Queen of the Roller Derby, for that matter.
Posted by Victoria R. at 1:41 PM | 19/01/2011 | Report Abuse
great GReat album love every song even better in concert
Posted by james kerby at 10:57 PM | 19/01/2011 | Report Abuse
great GReat album love every song even better in concert
Posted by james kerby at 10:57 PM | 19/01/2011 | Report Abuse
Awesome album! Elton John is the best musician ever, and I only got into his music in 2002 when I was 14. His music is legendary as opposed to today's temporary "hits", and I'm so glad he brought the iconic legend, Leon Russell, to the spotlight.
The video doesn't work, unfortunately!
Posted by Jill Sandwich at 11:04 PM | 19/01/2011 | Report Abuse
Awesome album! Elton John is the best musician ever, and I only got into his music in 2002 when I was 14. His music is legendary as opposed to today's temporary "hits", and I'm so glad he brought the iconic legend, Leon Russell, to the spotlight.
The video doesn't work, unfortunately!
Posted by Jill Sandwich at 11:05 PM | 19/01/2011 | Report Abuse
The Union is a great album and I saw them live here in Lafayette. The new music was great, of course Elton was fantastic and clearly was the star of the night. Russel gave a credible performance but lacks Eltons stage presence.
Posted by jack mcelligott at 11:20 PM | 19/01/2011 | Report Abuse
The Union is a great album and I saw them live here in Lafayette. The new music was great, of course Elton was fantastic and clearly was the star of the night. Russel gave a credible performance but lacks Eltons stage presence.
Posted by jack mcelligott at 11:20 PM | 19/01/2011 | Report Abuse
Absolutely outstanding, superb reunion of two incredibly talented performers - introspective and retrospective, and as always for both gentlemen, SUPERB!!! Thank God for "The Union"... :)
Posted by Renee at 3:07 AM | 20/01/2011 | Report Abuse
i like very much
Posted by charith at 10:21 AM | 20/01/2011 | Report Abuse
I rushed to buy the CD the day it released, as I have sorely missed the haunting voice of the great Leon Russell. I was almost arrested when I rushed to the stage steps to get a look at those blue eyes, as Leon was coming off stage after a concert at the Field House, Huntington, W.Va. way back in the 70's. I loved him then and adore him now. Unfortunately, I couldn't afford the $200 for a ticket to see him in Daytona Beach recently, my home town now.
Posted by Cheryl Hurlbut at 2:14 AM | 21/01/2011 | Report Abuse
This is one of the best albums that Elton John has made- ever! It has a 70's feel but with seemingly more energy. I would LOVE to hear "If it Wasn't for Bad," the first (and in my opinion) best track on the album.
Posted by Curtis at 10:57 PM | 21/01/2011 | Report Abuse
Sit Elton John feels like a second class citizen? Oh, well though I am a huge fan of Elton's (and Bernie's) music I find it a tad hard to swallow that Elton would feel "slighted". Come now, still able to draw audiences, some willing to pay huge money to watch and hear Reginald tickle the keys and belt out those tunes...let's just say that the bible (though I'm not terribly religious and certainly not church going) says we reap what we sow. Elton sowed lots of wild partying back in the day, he chose his lifestyle and now he feels like a second class citizen? I do not intentionally judge Reggie, but after decades of "only being the piano player"
(like I said he does that quite well, a great performer to have played sold-out Dodger stadium gigs, etc.) I believe most people think of him mainly as a great performer and piano player, and not a "voice for the people". Good luck Reggie, ROCK ON!
Posted by Derek Emrie at 11:00 PM | 23/01/2011 | Report Abuse
I am getting reall tired of looking for neil young I need to have him e mail me at above asap..rock on..kay
Posted by kay fields at 2:47 AM | 17/03/2011 | Report Abuse
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