Elton John might return to his Tumbleweed Connection era as he records with Leon Russell. With T. Bone Burnnett heading production John and Russell have been laying down “more than a dozen songs” according to a post on John’s longtime collaborator Bernie Taupin’s website. “It’s 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.” Taupin describes the music as covering everything “from Stones-like rockers, country-tinged ballads, gospel and even a Sinatra-like weepy.â€
Some of the guiest performers are reported to be Booker T Jones, guitarist Marc Ribot and drummer Jim Keltner and a promising Canadian performer named Neil Young.
Russell is still recovering from brain surgery in January but apparently is playing a major part in the production. John is working his recording schedule around his tour with Billy Joel and several solo dates that will keep him on the road through September.