Elton John teams with Leon Russell for "The Union"
Leon Russell , last seen performing with the Zac Brown Band on the Grammys just weeks after being released from the hospital, has joined forces with his longtime friend Elton John to record an album.
"The Union," which T Bone Burnett has produced, will be released Oct. 19 by Decca Records.
The album's 16 songs were written by John and lyricist Bernie Taupin, with Russell and Burnett pitching in on a few. Among the guest artists featured on the album are Neil Young, Brian Wilson, organist Booker T. Jones and steel guitarist Robert Randolph.
In January, Russell underwent brain surgery prior to the recording sessions. He had been hospitalized for a brain-fluid leak and treatment for heart failure and pneumonia.
John and Russell met in 1970 after John's debut at the Troubadour and, by 1972, they were the two hottest pianists in rock 'n' roll. The two had done some performances together in their earlier days, including a famous show at New York's Fillmore East.
The idea for the album came from John, who listened to Russell's music while on safari in Africa last summer. "Elton called," Russell said in a statement, "to ask if I would do a duet album with him. I'm very happy that he chose me to do this."
After a North American tour in July, John and percussionist Ray Cooper have scattered dates throughout Europe that go into December. Russell, who has been releasing records on his own label at a steady clip for a decade, has a string of dates from now into August.
July 2010
9 - Kingston, Ontario - K-Rock Centre
10 - Hamilton, Ontario - Copps Coliseum
12 - Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario - Essar Centre
16 - Prince George, British Columbia - CN Centre
17 - Kelowna, British Columbia - Prospera Place
18 - Yakima, WA - Yakima Valley SunDome
21 - Tucson, AZ - Tucson Arena
24 - Chula Vista, CA - Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre
25 - Stateline, NV - Harveys Lake Tahoe Amphitheatre
August 2010
2-6 - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Monte-Carlo Sporting Club
September 2010
4 - Majorca, Spain -Ono Estadi, Palma de Mallorca (with band)
17 - Milan, Italy - Teatro degli Arcimboldi
19-20 - Rome, Italy - Auditorium Parco della Musica
23 - Catanzaro, Italy - Teatro Politeama
24 - Taormina, Italy - Teator Antico
26 - Floriana, Malta - The Granaries
29 - Toulon, France - Zenith
October 2010
2 - Madrid, Spain - Palacio Deportes Comunidad
December 2010
5 - Oslo, Norway - Spektrum
7, 9 - Hamburg, Germany - O2 World
10 - Malmo, Sweden - Malmo Arena
15 - Dublin, Ireland - O2 Dublin
Leon Russell
July 2010
6 - Phoenix, AZ- Rhythm Room
7 - Solana Beach, CA - Belly Up Tavern
8 - Agoura Hills, CA - Canyon Club
9 - San Juan Capistrano, CA - Coach House
10. - Redondo Beach, CA - Brixton
11-12 - Seal Beach, CA, Spaghettini
13 - San Francisco, CA - Yoshi's
14 - Napa, CA - Uptown Theatre
15 - Sacramento, CA - Harlow's
16 - San Luis Obispo, CA - Downtown Brewing Company
17 - Crystal Bay, NV - Crystal Bay Casino
18 - Sebastopol, CA - Hopmonk Tavern
21 - San Jose, CA. VooDoo Lounge
22 - Arcata, CA - Humboldt Brews
24 - Grants Pass, OR - Rogue Theatre
27 - Bend, OR - Tower Theatre
28 - Portland, OR - Mt. Tabor Theater
29 - Seattle, WA - Tractor Tavern
31 - Deming, WA - Mt. Baker Blues Festival
August 2010
3 - London, United Kingdom - Jazz Cafe
14 - Charlotte, NC - Neighborhood Theatre
19 - Amagansett, NY - Stephen Talkhouse
21 - New York, NY - Highline Ballroom
26 - Evanston, IL - SPACE
28 - Ferndale, MI - Magic Bag
September 2010
3 - Maryville, TN -The Shed
25 - Lampe, MO - Black Oak Mountain Amphitheater
October 2010
2 - Schaumburg, IL - Prairie Center For The Arts
9 - Carolina Beach, NC - 17th Seafood, Blues and Jazz Festival
November 2010
27 - Glenside, PA - Keswick Theatre
