The Union [Enhanced]

Well thats what the advertising blurb says. And for once I think its justified. Whether you buy the standard album or the deluxe edition you won't be disappointed. This is clearly an album Elton John made purely from the heart, to give Leon Russell the limelight back he deserves. As Elton says on the DVD there are no egos involved in this. So this isn't a superstar pairing designed to make money (well not for Elton anyway). In many ways Leon is the star on this. Its his Piano fills and licks that feature, where Eltons Piano playing is mostly relegated to rhythm parts - and thats how Elton wanted it.

The songs are written mainly by Elton, Leon and Bernie Taupin and there are some absolute corkers on here. The album starts with the wistful/romantic Piano introduction to Leon's "If it wasn't for bad", which turns into a great little rock tune. Leon (with Bernie Taupin) also contributes another standout track "I should have sent Roses". This is a marvellous song with an aching melody.

However if you think that Elton is outclassed by his hero you'd be completely wrong. "Hey Ahab" is a wonderfully rocking Gospel feel track and the Civil War ballad "Gone to Shiloh" is another standout from Elton and Bernie. A special mention for Neil Youngs contribution on this track, which gives it very much a Band like feel with three different vocalists taking the lead.

If I was being very critical I'd say there are a few tracks which seem like fillers - the sort of thing that would have appeared on a normal Elton John album (so still fine songs). However even these are lifted by the arrangements and T-Bone Burnetts production.

So where to place this in the cannon of these two great artists. Leon hasn't recorded the sheer volume that Elton has and so it must rate amongst his best, though not as good as his eponymous 1970 album. Not much is!

The last ten years have been very good for Elton. The return to form of "Songs from the West Coast" (2001) and "The Captain and the Kid" (2006) mean that you can't just dismiss those albums. But overall this is better than those two, and in a different league to most of his 1980s and 90s material. Even "Two Low for Zero" which I recently bought on CD isn't in the same class. So yes you have to go back to the 70s to find better Elton John albums and even then theres only a few that match or better this.

This album is giving me more pleasure than any Elton album since the mid 70s. Recorded live, it's a soulful blend of gospel, blues, country and pop. It fits together beautifully, helped by T Bone Burnett's production with horns and female backing vocals adding colour.

The opener If It Wasn't for Bad is a feelgood upbeat catchy number, one of 4 written by Leon Russell without Elton, with romping pianos to the fore. The ballad Eight Hundred Dollar Shoes i find graceful and gently endearing. Hey Ahab is a highlight, Elton's strongest rocking track for ages, that reminded me of Billy Bones on the Rock of the Westies album. I could almost smell the sea and hear the crash of great waves and the whale. Gone to Shiloh is a masterpiece, one of my favourites in Elton's whole catalogue, a civil war song that would have suited early albums like Tumbleweed Connection. It's taken to to a higher level by Neil Young's beautiful middle verse, his voice sounding young and fresh as its April rain. Jimmy Rodgers' Dream has a pleasant country lilt, again reminiscent of Elton's classic early years. There's no Tomorrow may have a dirge-like tempo but also a rich dark mood with deep roots to be savoured and, co-written by The Mighty Hannibal, brought to mind a swaying New Orleans funeral march.

Monkey Suit is a rocker lifted well above recent Elton upbeat numbers when the brass section kicks in. Best Part of the Day is a ballad with moments that send tingles down my spine, while underlining the sense of togetherness. A Dream Come True has a cheerful infectious foot-tapping jingle, followed by When Love is Dying which at first seemed a bit inflated for the strength of its repeated chorus, but has grown on me. Next up, another song i treasure, I Should've Sent Roses, by Leon and Elton's lyricist Bernie Taupin, with a bittersweet yet somehow warm enveloping mood. I like Hearts Have Turned to Stone too for its spirited backing vocals and groovy horns, along with Leon's engaging earthiness. You're Never Too Old is a slow ballad i was doubtful of but coming to appreciate thanks to some fine piano touches. And then a lovely finish In the Hands of Angels, by Leon, a song as gift of thanks to Elton, all the more touching for Leon's being revitalised after ill health and an operation.

Great credit to Leon Russell for his part in Elton's best in decades, finally worthy of his 70s heyday, and rightly given 5 stars in Rolling Stone, along with many other critical raves. I'm falling in love with it. Elton sang at the end of the Captain Fantastic album, "there's treasure children always seek to find"; well, after all these years, here's treasure enough for me.

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DELUXE VERSION: BEWARE DVD, MUSICAL REWARD. It is certainly not worth paying extra for the very short- 6 minute!- dvd on the making of the album. I bought the deluxe all the same on the strength of one of the 2 additional tracks (integrated near the end of a slightly changed order); the gorgeous velvety Mandalay Again, an astonishingly good song to be left off the main album. The upbeat My Kind of Hell does the album's standard no harm either, so i've been delighted to have a magnificent 16 rather than 14 track album. Maybe best to check out the extra tracks if you can before buying.

By going back to his roots Elton moves majestically forward.The songs here are as good as any he has penned with Bernie Taupin since the 70's. His championing of Leon Russell has clearly inspired everyone to up their game.This is an album that is poignant,upbeat,diverse and subtle....it demands multiple listening to reap the rewards.