The Disney+ premiere of Elton’s Never Too Late documentary is coming soon . . . on the 13th of December. Meanwhile, Elton and Brandi Carlile‘s title track has been released.
To quote Peter Frampton: Do you feel like we do–that it doesn’t sound original? The duo’s lacklustre performance is a disappointment as well, and not improved by Brandi’s countrified yowl. And a couple of ej.w readers let us know they think an engineer enhanced Elton’s vocals.
The Elton Blog has gotten emails from many others who want to know about the new album. We appreciate the inquiries, and wish we had info to share.
Elton keeps interviewing young artists about their new records for his Rocket Hour show, but continues to stay mum about his own.
Some even wonder whether there really is new music on the horizon. Then again, it would hardly be professional to announce something which doesn’t exist.
In the beginning, Elton and Bernie Taupin sounded excited about their new album. And we remember Bernie saying he was ”under strict orders to keep schtum.” So perhap the aim is to build up suspense. Or are they looking for a special occasion to release it, such as Christmas or New Year’s?
Certainly production is not a problem. Elton has worked with major players, from Gus Dudgeon to Andrew Watt. And Elton himself was the producer of his 2004 release, Peachtree Road (although it has often been underrated). Answer in the Sky did reach #7 on the Adult Contemporary chart, but didn’t it deserve a higher rating? Udiscover Music cited its ”opening strings,” calling it an apparent nod to Philadelphia Freedom.
Lyrics aren’t a problem either. After all, a couple of years ago, David Furnish said that Bernie had sent along some, but that his husband hadn’t had time to get to them.
Writer’s block and lack of interest apparently haven’t been issues. Elton recently told MSNBC‘s Morning Joe that when he sees lyrics on a page, he is ”transfixed.”
Having announced his retirement from the road, Elton won’t be touring in support of the album. But once it’s out, he could appear on TV or in a show, here and there.
Elton has appeared on albums by other performers. In 2023, he played keyboards on two Hackney Diamond tracks for the Rolling Stones and did another version of Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me with Dolly Parton for her Rockstar album.
More recently, Elton contributed to The Seeker, Pete Townshend and Rachel Fuller Townshend‘s reinterpretation of Hermann Hesse‘s Siddhartha.
Both Elton and Bernie have been involved with other projects. Elton has his two back-to-back musicals Tammy Faye and The Devil Wears Prada . . . although unlike its UK production, the American version of ”Tammy” isn’t receiving positive press. According to Entertainment Weekly, the tone ”swings wildly,” from an innuendo-filled song to a ”fire and brimstone ballad.” Meanwhile, the New York Post called Elton’s songs ”forgotten Saltine crackers.” Then again, some people might love Saltines, right?
Elton has done other types of writing as well. He penned the foreword to Ronda Carman‘s upcoming book about his friend, socialite and philanthropist Lynn Wyatt. Ronda thought it would be out in time for Lynn’s birthday in July, but it has been postponed.
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Bernie, too, has written a foreword. It’s for Anouk Krantz‘s Frontier: Cowboys of the Americas, and Bernie refers to ”the cowboy way” where there’s respect for the land, and no ”swaggering bravado.”
We can’t help but think of Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy, which came out in 1975 . . . as did Rock of the Westies.
1970 also saw the release of two EJ LPs: Elton John and Tumbleweed Connection. And in 1973, Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road graced record store shelves.
Each topped the charts in America and the United Kingdom. Maybe that’s a factor, as Elton can be competitive and is an avid chart-watcher.
Bernie, on the other hand, has said he doesn’t pay attention to such details.
What do you think about it all? Feel free to weigh in on the form below this blog.
Elton has had many fights with his record companies over the years. Notably with The Fox and Wonderful Crazy Nights. In both cases, his record labels forced Elton to record new songs to make the albums more commercial.
I believe the new album is likely suffering the same fate, especially hearing how lame the new Brandi Carlile duet sounds.,