He may never fully redeem himself in the eyes and ears of early fans he drove away long before he began cavorting around with the likes of Lady Gaga, but Elton John is taking a big step in the right direction.  Details are emerging about the project he recorded with Leon Russell we first announced several weeks ago (story), and they sound very encouraging. Elton pronounced in a recent interview that the record represents a new direction for him, saying, 'I don't have to make pop records anymore.'  During an interview Monday (7/5), Elton said neither the world nor he is screaming for another Elton John record '...unless it's going to be different.'  Calling fellow keyboard player Leon Russell his idol, Sir Elton sounded like the chance to team his writing partner Bernie Taupin with Russell, Neil Young, Brian Wilson and producer T-Bone Burnett and record an album in a real straight-forward, roots fashion represented just the kind of different album he wanted to be involved in.  The Union will get an October 19 release. As for the Christmas album John told UK radio host Paul Gambaccini his record company wants him to make, John said, '...I just told them to fuck off'.  Maybe the Bitch really Is Back.
Billboard.com
 
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