my life can end peacefully now

rolling stone gives the new elton john / leon russell album, the union, five stars. they're right to.

Singing in a strong, elastic growl and matching John's piano work with low-end rolls and top-note sparkle, Russell jars the younger man from his routine sheen, back to the natural fiber and grandeur of 1970's Elton John and Tumbleweed Connection. On The Union, produced by T Bone Burnett, John and Russell share the resurrection. Each goes back to what he first did best. Then they do it together.

npr is streaming the entire album.

UPDATE 10/21/10: it's official. rolling stone is now in love with elton john (and leon russell.) the two legends kicked off a concert tour promoting the union last night at the beacon theatre in new york:

The centerpiece of the show was a complete performance of The Union. Powered by four back-up singers, a four-piece horn section and the house band led by guitarist Marc Ribot, the songs sounded even better than they do on record. Elton and Leon have such similar styles it was often hard to tell who was playing piano. The best material on The Union ranks among the best work of either singer, particularly the Civil War epic "Gone To Shiloh." When Elton and Leon's voice merged on the line "when flags and bullets start to fly" the result was positively chilling.

a letter to a friend

elton john writes to ryan white.

Twenty years ago this month, you died of AIDS. I would gladly give my fame and fortune if only I could have one more conversation with you, the friend who changed my life as well as the lives of millions living with HIV. Instead, I have written you this letter.

on the record: the soundtrack of my life

i'm not a big fan of covers or remakes. a mix-tape of original versions is best for me.

there are exceptions to that rule. linda rondstadt's 70's covers (you're no good, it's so easy, when will i be loved, etc.) are just as good as the original versions. and elton john's lucy in the sky with diamonds isn't so much a cover as a tribute.

today, in wandering around the tuesday new releases on itunes, i came across something i'd never heard before. thrillington by percy thrills thrillington is a complete cover of paul mccartney's 1971 album ram done in elevator music style. (percy thrills thrillington is actually a pseudonym for mccartney, and the album was supposed to be released shortly after ram in '71, but was shelved until 1977.)

thrillington makes me feel as though i'm starring in some funky independent film, only i can actually hear the soundtrack. in the film, i'm a little younger and much quirkier than i am in real life. and i paint. or sculpt. and i probably ride horses. otherwise, it's pretty much me.

and it's a good flick!

elton and hillary - live and in concert!

elton john has kicked billy joel to the curb and replaced him with hillary clinton.

tickets for the april 9th radio city concert "elton and hillary: one night only" go on sale this wednesday at 9 a.m. edt. second tier prices start at $125 for mezzanine seats and $250 for seats near the orchestra. (premium seats will go for $500, $1000, and $2300.)

"i'm not a politician but i believe in the work that hillary clinton does," elton said, right before he bitch-slapped chelsea clinton for wearing the same versace pantsuit he had on, and looking better in it. "i'm not a singer," said hillary clinton, "but candle in the wind is my karaoke jam!"

a set list leaked to the press includes a guest appearance by bill clinton singing rocket man, hillary singing a new "iraq war vote" version of sorry seems to be the hardest word, a bill/hillary duet on don't go breakin' my heart and a special hillary "long-distance dedication" to the states of ohio and texas -- someone saved my life tonight.

no word yet whether elton will ask senator clinton to join him singing (say it with me) the bitch is back!

it feels so real

sometimes there's nothing. and that's okay. and you need one of those songs. one of those songs that fills you up, and reminds you you're real.

all is not right

sometimes your friends don’t take the path you want them to take. no matter what you want for them, they have to go their own way.

take, for example, my friend rob gonzalez.

by now he should be a huge star in the music business. a couple of years back, he worked his ass off and got financial backing like you wouldn’t believe to record an album of his tunes with musical greats: producer dave way (sheryl crow, fiona apple), guitarist brian ray (paul mccartney), arranger paul buckmaster (strings for elton john) drummer kenny aronoff (john mellencamp). the result -- all is right with the world -- is an incredible album. every friend i’ve played it for wants it burned, and becomes obsessed with it.

i assumed it would be only a few months before some huge record label picked up rob, released the cd, and he was enjoying huge commercial success. grammys would follow, no doubt. and in no time, i’d be visiting my friend rob on some island in the pacific while he records his next multi-platinum selling cd.

well. my plans weren’t what rob had in mind. or…my path to get there was not what he had in mind. he had an idea about a website to distribute new music. something that would benefit the artist, and – get this – poverty. (see: www.melvincares.com.)

on october 13, rob’s album went on sale at macy’s stores in la crosse, wisconsin. it’s available there until dec. 31. in case you don't live near la crosse, you can always get it by joining the melvincares thing too.

it’s a really great collection of pop music. ("southside serenade" is like the elton john song i've been waiting years for.) i just want the whole world to hear it. and maybe someday…rob’s way…they will.