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On the inaugural episode of Elvis Costello†s talk show Spectacle in 2008, Elton John -- who just happened to be a producer on the show -- rhapsodized at length about Leon Russell, hauling out a note-perfect impression of Russell†s piano style and Oklahoma drawl. It was enough of a tease to whet the appetite for more but nothing suggested something like The Union, a full-fledged duet album with Russell designed to raise the profile of the rock & roll maverick. Like all lifers, Russell never disappeared -- he just faded, playing small clubs throughout the U.S., spitting out bewildering self-released albums of MIDI-synth boogie, never quite connecting with the spirit of his wonderful early-†70s albums for his Shelter label. The Union quite deliberately evokes the spirit of 1970, splicing Russell†s terrific eponymous LP with Elton†s own self-titled record and Tumbleweed Connection. In that sense, it†s a kissing cousin to John†s last album, 2006†s The Captain and the Kid, which was designed as an explicit sequel to 1975†s golden era-capping Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy, but thanks to producer T-Bone Burnett, The Union dials down Bernie Taupin†s inherent pomp and ratchets up the roots.
Condition: NEW!
TRACK LISTING
1 If It Wasn't For Bad / Leon Russell 3:42
2 Eight Hundred Dollar Shoes / Leon Russell 3:22
3 Hey Ahab / Leon Russell 5:39
4 Gone To Shiloh / Leon Russell 4:50
5 Jimmie Rodgers' Dream / Leon Russell 3:42
6 There's No Tomorrow / Leon Russell 3:45
7 Monkey Suit / Leon Russell 4:45
8 The Best Part Of The Day / Leon Russell 4:45
9 A Dream Come True / Leon Russell 5:05
10 When Love Is Dying / Leon Russell 4:50
11 I Should Have Sent Roses / Leon Russell 5:18
12 Hearts Have Turned To Stone / Leon Russell 3:47
13 Never Too Old (To Hold Somebody) / Leon Russell 4:57
14 In The Hands Of Angels / Leon Russell 4:43
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