Memphis Album Review

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(More customer reviews)this cd is one of my favourite cds of all time. all the songs guy sings are brilliant and while the songs are not sung in the way that they were by the original artists, these are definitely among the best covers of these songs that ever have or will be performed or recorded. Especially breath-taking is the song "I've Been Loving You Too Long" as Guy sings the ad lib part at the end with such great emotion. his voice sounds particularly suited to the song "I Can't Stand The Rain" and he shows his amazing vocal range in the song "Respect Yourself". also one of the greatest songs on the album is the song that he himself wrote "I'd Like To Get To Know You", the lyrics may be a little cheesy for some people's taste, but the song is spectacular! once you've listened to this cd a couple of times you can't help but fall in love with it!
Zoe Cox

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2007 release from the acclaimed Malaysian-born and Australian-raised Pop singer who won the coveted title of Australian Idol on the show's first season. On The Memphis Album, Guy pays tribute to a selection of classic Soul tunes, with his own fantastic versions of tracks including 'Soul Man', 'In The Midnight Hour', 'Knock On Wood', 'Take Me To The River' and 'I Can't Stand The Rain'. Guy recorded the album in Memphis with various legendary Stax musicians including Steve Cropper, Donald ‘Duck' Dunn, Steve Potts, Lester Snell and Dave Smith.

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Simple Plan - Big Package for You (Digipak) Review

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(More customer reviews)i didn't but this dvd for simple plan. i was a huge fan of blink 182 and i saw that mark was in the video for id do anything and they had that video on this dvd. i decided to buy it even though i wasn't that big of an sp fan. well immideatly after seeing this dvd simple plan became my favorite. The whole dvd was hilarious. it showed all the guys of simple plan just being themselves and it was very intertaining for me. also the music playing in the background was awesome and all simple plan.
trust me...you want to buy this dvd its worth every penny!
~and they werent lieing when they said "a music dvd that doesnt suck"~

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The Resistance (CD/DVD) Review

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(More customer reviews)I've been obsessed with Muse since Origin of Symmetry and I'll have to say this cd worried me when I first heard Uprising before it's release. First off, a little background for me. I play in an instrumental prog/experimental band and run a small recording studio. Other bands I adore are Porcupine Tree, Radiohead, Opeth, Pink Floyd, Dredg, and Sigur Ros to name a few...
With that said, Absolution is my favorite Muse hands down. I was slightly bummed by the direction the last album took and was unsure of the future of Muse. HAARP rid me of my fears there.
The Resistance (after many listens) is a huge step in a new direction that they were only pointing at with Black Holes and Revelations. The problem with this album is its song placement and short length for this wide array of styles. If they wanted to really explore each of these areas and sounds, then I believe another 15 minutes or so divided between each style would help solidify this album and make it their cornerstone.
Uprising - This is a good track but no way to start off the cd. This song does not represent the rest of the album at all even if it is powerful and catchy with a great sing-along chorus
The Resistance - The first track that caught my ears on the cd, the title track is definitely a standout with an even balance of creativity and catchiness. I relate this track to Map of the Problematique off their last cd, until the prechorus where it reverts into a style not heard since Absolution. Great bass work on this song.
Undisclosed Desires - the most underrated track on the cd. As poppy as this track seems on the first listen, it is an incredibly gutsy track to add to the disk.. This really reminds me of something from Thom Yorke's Eraser cd, on steroids...with a more glammy Matt Bellamy flair to it. I actually realllly like this track when I don't think of it in the context of the rest of the album. If there were some sort of lead in/out tracks for this it would possibly make more sense and be more at home on the album.
United States of Eurasia - Love this track. It has all those Muse elements that everyone has loved throughout their career. There is the definite Queen influence here, but it was just as noticeable on Knights of Cydonia... Never-the-less its still an amazingly good and epic track. What other rock band uses Chopin? seriously people...
Guiding Light - Eh, it's ok. By no means a bad track, but nothing i'm going to write home about. It does its job.. fill the spot after United States of Eurasia when you are still thinking...what the hell just happened?!?
Unnatural Selection - New Born?? catchy tho.
I Belong to You - A strong look at their earlier work with a fun break in the intensity, the French is a nice addition as well. Fun track.
Exogenesis Symphony - THIS IS THE MUSE I'VE BEEN WAITING TO HEAR! as the Overture begins I feel that there is something amazing getting ready to happen.. and it does.. from Matt Bellamy's own excellent orchestrations to the chord progression to his falsetto melody over the top.. this track is incredible. The second and third pieces are perfectly done as well. This is the set of tracks that should've been the big centerpiece to this album to really wow fans. Instead it is tacked on the end like some last minute stroke of genius.
If I were setting up the track listing here to make this a successful disk, here's what we'd be looking at
United States of Eurasia
Resistance
Guiding Light
Exogenesis Symphony 1,2,3
Uprising
MK Ultra
I Belong to You
Unnatural Selection
but thats just me.... however, after several listens, certain parts of this album are my favorite things Muse has ever done, other tracks could have at least been better placed..
I am pleased with this addition to my Muse collection and will continue to support one of the best bands the world has seen in a very long time.

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Special CD+DVD version: DVD contains 30 minute 'Making Of' the album. Following seven years of near solid touring, Muse escalated from being the biggest band in Teignmouth in 1997 to one of the biggest bands in Europe by 2004. With each successive album, they pushed the musical envelope with a fusion of progressive rock, electronica, and Radiohead-influenced experimentation, creating an emotive, passionate sound. Muse's reputation as one of the best live rock bands in the world is well deserved with their exhilirating live performances drewing critical acclaim, industry buzz, and a loyal and rabid fan base.

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Hold Out Review

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(More customer reviews)These words, spoken from choked breath to climax "Hold On Hold Out," seemed strangely satisfying, if plain, from Jackson Browne. His album-long searches for self within personal and social tragedy epitomised the Californicated musical center of the "Me Decade." In 1980's "Hold Out," whose dedication read "This is for Lynne" (Sweeney, Browne's love interest at the time), it was a moment of shared, truthful joy in a career filled with some of rock's most confrontational, confessional elegies.
"Hold Out" is unjustly criticized among Browne fans despite being his lone #1 album. Its seven soaring, expansive tracks celebrate resilience and reassurance, rocking as hard as anything Browne did up to then.
"Oh can we say that I've grown/in some way that we may have yet to be shown?" asks Browne in "Call It A Loan." You hear new, empathetic sensibility prefacing his explicit 80s protest music. This tranisition led critic Dave Marsh to refer to Browne having "Bob Dylan's career inside out."
Browne commits small details to memory here, making peace even at "Hold Out"'s most wistful. He concedes that "she couldn't have been any kinder/if she'd come back and tried to explain" in the savory "That Girl Could Sing." He consoles the then-recently deceased Lowell George's daughter in "Of Missing Persons," wishing, over George's Little Feat bandmate Bill Payne's organ, "May you always see what your life is worth."
In the misunderstood opener "Disco Apocolypse," featuring Payne's roller-rink-style organ, Browne sees survivor's strength in those escaping into disco's strobes. "When the world starts turnin'...and the dreams are burnin'," he sings, "...through the wind and fire they will be dancing still." Unlike The Who's snide "Sister Disco," it features some of the most powerful lyrics written about the disco era without being disco musically. These disco denizens, dresses and shoes new with hearts weary through and through, are the same armored cynics walking "right by like they were safe or something" in "Boulevard."
Crisper than his 1970s studio releases (engineer Niko Bolas later worked with Neil Young, Melissa Etheridge and Billy Joel), "Hold Out" draws its wide-open sound from 1977's live million-selling predecessor, "Running On Empty." It features longtime Browne collaborator David Lindley's evocative solos on "That Girl" and "Hold On, Hold Out" and wailing background vocals throughout from Doug Haywood and Rosemary Butler.
The new decade granted Jackson Browne hit singles, Hollywood romances, social activism and stinging personal rebuke from former friend and collaborator Joni Mitchell. But his greatest 1980s success came in that decade's first year with "Hold Out," a recommended set opening and closing an era for Browne and his singer-songwriter genre.

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Japanese pressing has been remastered and features 7 tracks. Asylum. 2005.--This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

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Songs of Faith Live Review

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(More customer reviews)Okay, at first glance, I was a bit doubtful about this album. In fact, despite being a huge DM fan (and despite the fact that the studio version of Songs of Faith and Devotion is still one of my favorite albums of all time), I put off buying this one for a few years. Upon looking at the tracklisting, I saw that the disc is made up of the exact same songs from the studio album arranged in the exact same order. There are no live tracks from other albums here..no bonuses...just a live version of Songs of Faith and Devotion in its entirety, in sequence.
So, anyway, a few years passed, and I found a used version and picked it up. I threw it into my stereo and was treated to an extended buildup to "I Feel You" with crowd noise, and rhythmic loops...and as I got into the buildup and excitement, the pounding live drums came in and kicked my adrenaline into overdrive. Yes, it was one of those rare CD moments where you just step back and say "wow" out loud.
If you have good speakers, you'll be treated to one of the best sounding live CDs ever released. If you have a good subwoofer, the drums and bass will amazingly shake the whole room while maintaining perfect clarity in the mix. The album is slightly rougher than its studio counterpart, maybe a bit more rock-oriented and organic, yet it's still immaculately produced, performed, and mixed. It's also louder and oddly sounds more layered, presenting almost a "wall of sound" effect using delay and reverb as well as additional sampling (for instance, you'll find certain samples being used more than they were on the studio album to add more intensity to parts of various songs). Even weaker songs from the album like the gospel-esque "Get Right With Me" are reworked with enough pavement-cracking drums and rocking guitar to drop your jaw to the floor.
As for the band, they're oddly in top form, despite the many problems they were going through at the time. A long-haired, tattoo-covered Dave, struggling with drug use and barely able to stand on stage at times during the tour (as later admitted) gives a strong, heartfelt performance delivered through a confident rockstar persona (with a little help from some background vocals, including female gospel singers). The rest of the band rock out, as well, with strong guitars, driving drums, and near perfect use of synthesizers and samples. This is the sound of a band on the edge of implosion sounding perhaps more cohesive and skilled than they ever had before or have since.
Overall, this album is a heavier, more powerful, more organic version of its studio counterpart...a live album full of adrenaline pumping emotional buildups and earth shattering intensity that accentuates already-powerful epic songs. If you didn't like the original studio album or are just a mild fan, then a live version with the exact same tracklisting is obviously quite unnecessary. However, if you loved the studio album, don't hesitate to pick this one up. Buy it, crank the volume on a stereo system with good bass, and get ready for an amazing ride.

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Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates Review

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(More customer reviews)Kenny's new CD released today is his best work yet. He gets better and better with each new release. I love 10 out of 11 tracks. For whatever reason the song "Wild Ride" just doesn't appeal to me. Besides that one downfall, this CD is a gem. My favorite remainng 10 tracks are: "Don't Blink", "Wife and Kids", and "Dancing for Groceries". I like the 6 other tracks very much, but the 3 I listed are the one's I like the most. I am projecting this album will debut in at #1 on both Billboard's 200 ALBUM list and the Country album chart. This CD I feel is loaded with #1 hits and radio friendly singles all over the place. This is a must have for any country music fan.


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1. Never Wanted Nothing More2. Don't Blink3. Shiftwork (Duet With George Strait)4. Just Not Today5. Wife And Kids6. Got A Little Crazy7. Better As A Memory8. Dancin' For The Groceries9. Wild Ride (Featuring Joe Walsh)10. Scare Me11. Demons

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Tango: Zero Hour Review

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(More customer reviews)I will try to be brief in light of the quality of the other reviewers. Two quick points. This man is as unique a musical visionary as Monk, Ornette Coleman, Mingus, or Jimi Hendrix. Like them, he is best heard with his own group. Fernando Suarez Paz (violin) Pable Ziegler (piano), Horacio Malvicino, Sr. (guitar), Hector Console (bass) along with Piazolla on bandoneon comprised one of the greatest quartets in the history of music. Like Coltrane's classic quartet, or some of Muddy Water's groups, these guys present an entire genre of music at its best.
If you are new to Piazolla, some of the melodies will seem almost cliched. This is where the cliches came from. This is why the melodies became standards- because when this group plays them you can hear the joy of discovery, the intensely passionate nature of Piazolla's sound universe.
This is not necessarily music for everyone- what is? But this is a great album by one of the unique voices in the music of the twentieth century. You owe it to your heart and your soul to give it a listen.

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Originally released in 1986, this is considered to be Argentinian tango master Astor Piazzolla's single greatest album. Recorded with his legendary quartet in New York, it is recognized as a cornerstone world music album.Genre: World MusicMedia Format: Compact DiskRating: Release Date: 25-AUG-1998

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No Hay Imposibles Review

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(More customer reviews)I love this album, the songs are heart felt and relevant for our times. The dance songs really get you up and moving. Chayanne DOES not disappoint.
Happy Listening.

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CHAYANNE has made his mark as a singer, selling millions of albums, earning more than 150 platinum and gold records, as well as RIAA Certifications, several Grammy nominations and a MTV Award for Best International Video.He has had over 25 top ten hits on the Billboard charts, including #1 position.His last four albums have reached top ten in the album charts and have remained there for over 200 weeks. CHAYANNE has been the spokesperson for Pepsi when he starred a major international advertising blitz which culminated with the first airing of a Spanish language spot on an American TV network without subtitles or dubbing.This spot aired during the 1989 Grammy Awards telecast and made television history.His other sponsor includes Kodak, American Airlines, Panasonic, Crest, Frito Lays, Adams, Kellogg\'s, among others. CHAYANNE is not just a talented entertainer and humanitarian. According to People Magazine he is one of the "50 most beautiful people in the world" (People Magazine).This will be his 22nd production, this new album reflects a new musical definition for strong up-tempo songs and melodic ballads, always expressing and suggesting love and tenderness. The upcoming album will be strongly supported by a world-wide Tour where millions of fans will be enjoying the new songs.His world concert tours fill soccer stadiums and his appearances are greeted with mass hysteria.CHAYANNE with his unique style, charm and rhythm has demonstrated why he is the strongest and talented dancer and singer who is admired by people of all ages.

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The Oracle Review

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(More customer reviews)Just got the Deluxe version with CD. As for the music...well I liked their first three albums and this is somewhat closer to those than their last release. However, it is sure not a 100% return to form; more of a 60% return maybe. Have to listen to it more obviously but so far highlights include basically the four first tracks. I was actually pretty impressed with Love Hate Sex Pain, heavy and haunting. Bad news though the middle of the disk seems quite average at first listen.
What you REALLY NEED TO KNOW right now is this: Do not buy the Deluxe version. The DVD is not very interesting. Also, inexplicably, the bonus songs are ON THE DVD! Just unbelievable. So if you think you are getting Whiskey Hangover as part of the CD to listen to, that is not the case. The description for the item is a little unclear about this, and I thought there's no way they were that stupid. Well, they are. The bonus songs are part of the DVD only, which makes them not real useful for listening to on a CD player or Ipod or what have you. Highly recommend you buy the cheaper version and then perhaps download the couple songs individually. Now you know.

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This Deluxe Edition includes a 30 minute Bonus DVD.The upcoming album arrives as the most anticipated 2010 rock release, so far. The debut single from the 10 song disc, "Cryin' Like A Bitch," is already blowing the doors off rock radio and the digital domain, furthering the Boston Band's record-breaking streak at the coveted Active Rock format. The punishing anthem, which debuted a mere three weeks ago as the most added new Active Rock single of the year, has already blazed to the Top 5 tier of the chart. "Cryin' Like A Bitch" is the 15th Top Five hit for the group, more than franchise artists such as Linkin Park, Foo Fighters, and others. It also marks Godsmack's record-breaking 18th Top 10 single of their career, extending their dominance as creators of the most Top 10 hits in Active rock history. Produced by Dave Fortman, who has worked with Mudvayne, Evanescence, and Simple Plan, among others, The Oracle is another lyrical and musical touchstone for the four member band. The new album revels in Godsmack's scorching underpinnings, served up via frontman Sully Erna's monster-vocals on the scathing new single, "Cryin' Like A Bitch," and other songs, including "Saints And Sinners," "War And Peace," "Devil's Swing," and "Good Day To Die." The Oracle is the band's first studio album since 2006's Godsmack IV, another platinum-plus trailblazer for the group, debuting at #1 on the Billboard Top albums chart (their 2nd #1 debut following 2003's Faceless) and harking back to the signature sound of multiplatinum masterpieces like their 5 million selling breakthrough debut album and 2000's AwakeConsidered one of the definitive alternative hard rock bands in contemporary music, The band's 12 year legacy - guided by fearless founder and frontman Sully Erna, includes nearly 15 million albums sold - highlighted by scores of sold-out international concerts, countless successful tours, a remarkable 18 hit singles, 4 platinum records, 1 gold EP and three Grammy nominations.

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Chickenfoot Review

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(More customer reviews)Having read several reviews on this site, I have decided to add my own observations concerning the phenomenon known as "Footfest". It seems that most of the critical reviews of Chickenfoot come from those who are either highly trained musicians looking for "shock and awe", critics who have analyzed the music to death, and die hard DLR VH fans who never cared much for SH anyway. They most likely claim lack of technique, uninteresting song structure, or some other complaint as the reason for thier low opinion of Chickenfoot.
To these individuals I would offer this: let us not forget that the #1 litmus test of a rock album is: DOES IT ROCK? IS IT FUN TO LISTEN TO? DOES IT CARRY YOU AWAY FROM YOUR DAY TO DAY CONCERNS? Sure I like my prog-rock like the next guy but folks - this is the type of rock and roll that a lot of us have missed for quite some time with the semipermanent hiatus of EVH. And with that in mind I must say that Chickenfoot has accomplished something very special. As for Led Zep good I wouldn't go that far yet but time will eventually tell how great this debut is. For now though I am head over feet grateful that these guys got together and did this.
The music reflects the chemistry between Satriani, Hagar, Anthony, and Smith. As I listened to each track I do acknowledge and welcome the classic VH2 vocals, but I do not think it sounds like VH. I have never heard EVH use some of the darker elements as Satriani does. And I sure have never heard Michael Anthony's bass lines like this and whadayaknow? He's a pretty good bassist! His rhythm section counterpart Chad Smith is tight and crisp and at times even Bonhamesque.You can tell that these four guys really enjoy each others company and most likely care about each other. And isn't that an important part of wanting to be in a band in the first place? It certainly shows in the music. There isn't really a bad track in the bunch. No filler. Each song is a fun, toe tapping, head bobbing, rocking good time! And isn't that what it's really about? The chops are there...the technique is there... but they are played to suite the structure of each song. And that is testament to the 4 musicians who have given us the disk of the summer! Good luck EVH! I do have some hope that Chickenfoot will motivate you and DLR but I'm not holding my breath...not for anything this good at least. You have too much bitterness. Too much denial. Too much ego. Frankly I think you are finished...I mean how could you let Mikey go? You're...
running out
running out of time
running out
running out of tunes
running out
running out of blame
running out!!!
running out!!!
running out!!!!
WELL DONE - LONG LIVE THE FOOT!!!!!

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UK 12-track 2-LP vinyl set includes one bonus track, 'Bitten By The Wolf'. The Rock supergroup of the year comprising of Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, Joe Satriani & Chad Smith!! Simply named Chickenfoot, this instant classic album combines all the best elements of the individual members forming this supergroup. Sammy Hagar's voice is clearer and warmer than ever. Joe Satriani's guitar style is showing a rockier side, a heavy sound with great solos in the best guitar hero rock tradition. Michael Anthony delivers his loud and groovy bass line, while his backing vocals, combined with Hagar's lead voice, bring back that great sound of Van Halen's albums. Chad Smith shows all his love for hard hock music with thunderous drumming - a real pleasure throughout the whole album. The album features instant classics, like the first single 'Oh Yeah' or the second single 'My Kinda Girl' [for which a big production video clip is about to be filmed]. From the opening track 'Avenida Revolution' through heavy rock and roll gems like 'Get it On' and 'Soap on a Rope' to the ballad 'Learning To Fall', an hour blast without one filler track. Presented in a picture sleeve with heat sensitive ink so that when you place a warm hand on the cover, it reveals the photos of the band members beneath!--This text refers to the Vinyl edition.

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Elton John - Greatest Hits Review

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(More customer reviews)Elton John seemed at his most creative and prolific the first five years of his career, releasing deep, thematic albums like "Tumbleweed Connection," and "Honky Chateau" seemingly two at a time. The singles from those early albums touched so many different styles so well (sometimes within the song!), that a quality greatest hits collection was a foregone conclusion.
"Greatest Hits" concentrates most on 1972-74, with Elton's almost uncanny series of classic pop singles ("Honky Cat," "Crocodile Rock," "Candle In The Wind," "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road") These hits prove that few performers used pop culture touchstones (Marilyn Monroe, the 50s, the French quarter, doo-wop), musically and lyrically, as well as Elton and Bernie Taupin. The release also complements Elton's best band (Davey Johnstone, Nigel Olsson, the late Dee Murray) and the outstanding engineering skills of Ken Scott and Gus Dudgeon.
The playing has never sounded brighter, Elton's piano (electric and acoustic on "Honky Cat") more up-front, or the pop arrangements and harmonies stronger (hear the previously muzzled strings on "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road") than here. This collection does everything a greatest hits collection should do, and effortlessly. Thus, it remains essential to any pop collection.

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Digitally remastered reissue of his 1974 'Hits' collection on a 24 karat gold CD from DCC. Featuring every one of his Top 10 singles recorded up to that point, 'Your Song', 'Rocket Man', 'Honky Cat', 'Crocodile Rock', 'Daniel','Goodbye Yellow Brick Road', 'Bennie and the Jets', 'Don'tLet the Sun Go Down on Me' plus three more tracks. Standard jewel case.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Contra Review

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(More customer reviews)After releasing their debut album, Vampire Weekend seemed to face a dilemma. They could either make another album with more of the same or completely change their sound. Either way, they were bound to receive scorn from critics. But somehow, they managed to evolve while still maintaining their signature sound. Anyway, let's get down to business...
Track by track:
"Horchata" - A great opener that sets the tone for yet another summery, poppy indie release from Vampire Weekend. The use of marimba and kalimba is new yet sounds very fitting. (9/10)
"White Sky" - This song has been played by the band for at least a year before they recorded it. I'm glad to see it was finally recorded. (7/10)
"Holiday" - A straightforward pop song with obvious ska influence. Instantly catchy. (8/10)
"California English" - Interesting use of auto-tune. I never thought someone would use auto-tune in a way that wasn't blatant and annoying. (8/10)
"Taxi Cab" - This is new territory for the band. Ezra sings in a low voice, buried under strings and programmed piano pieces. Very calming track with some of their best lyrics yet. (9/10)
"Run" - Things pick back up with this track which was instantly one of my favorites. The arrangements are very engaging on this one. The choruses are instrumental but quite effective. (9/10)
"Cousins" - When I first heard this song I didn't really care for it because I had only heard it live. Once I heard the recording, I was converted. It seems to capture the spirit of A-Punk but I feel like it lacks a hook. The ending makes up for it though. (8/10)
"Giving Up The Gun" - I was so excited to hear that this song would be on Contra. Ezra's old hip-hop band, L'homme Run, recorded an old version of this song years ago called "Giving Up Da Gun," and I used to listen to it nonstop. Very glad to see that they went back to the well. (10/10)
"Diplomat's Son" - This track is the band's longest song yet and features some vocals done by Rostam during the bridge. I really dig the white-guy-reggae vibe. I found it especially funny when Ezra mentions that he "smoked a joint." (10/10)
"I Think Ur A Contra" - Hands down my favorite song on the album. The band truly ended the album with their masterpiece. Not only are the lyrics in this song their most sincere, but the arrangement they used is among their strongest. The subtle atmosphere paired with their first ever use of acoustic guitar makes the song sound genuinely heartfelt and sets it apart from their repertoire. (10/10)
Overall, I think this album is on par with their debut and I will be spinning it nonstop for months to come.

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Like the first album, Contra was produced by keyboardist Rostam Batmanglij and is the realization of a whole and unique musical vision that sees the band stretching out and adding new textures, instrumentation, and rhythms into their sound.Primarily recorded in New York with a springtime sojourn to Mexico, Contra feels altogether fresh, joyous, and like nothing else but is immediately recognizable as the sound of Vampire Weekend.

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The Union Review

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(More customer reviews)As he mentions in the liner notes - and on the 6-minute bonus DVD that accompanies the deluxe edition - "The Union" is Elton John's acknowledgement of Leon Russell's profound influence on his skill set as a pianist and vocal interpreter.
And what an acknowledgement it is. Elton collaborates warmly and enthusiastically with Russell (producer T-Bone Burnett accommodates this well), sharing equal disc space. This is a definite joint effort - one that set outs to recapture both the decades lost between these two irreplaceable musicians and that early 70s sound listeners associate with both of them. Happily, it succeeds.
"Gone to Shiloh," a southern-fried ballad fraught with pain and longing (many of the songs here are - this is a mostly downbeat record), would sound at home, for instance, on Russell's classic-self-titled record and Elton's indestructible "Tumbleweed Connection." Neil Young contributes a verse.
The same goes for "Jimmie Rodgers' Dream," the chugging "Monkey Suit" and "Eight Hundred Dollar Shoes," an elegant, classy tribute to Russell from Elton. To the attentive ear their melodies may suggest preceding work from Elton from the past decade or so - inevitable in a long, prolific career - but the results are so strong that it is a non-issue.
Elton has not sounded this animated since 2001's "Songs from the West Coast." His lively vocals on "Hey Ahab" and assistance on Russell's gospel-fused "Hearts Have Turned to Stone" are evidence enough. The latter is razor-sharp and absolutely harrowing in its commentary on the frigidity of contemporary life.
Russell is indeed in his absolute element. His "If It Wasn't For Bad" is the lead single and opening track, and its haunting, hurts-so-good ruminations on unhappy love are instantly catchy. His lyrics here have such cut and undercurrent that they reveal their profundity and ache with increased plays, which are beckoned with each spin of the album.
His collaboration with Elton's lyricist Bernie Taupin "I Should Have Sent Roses" is another fine example. A duet with Elton, it is one of the sharpest, most biting tracks in the latter-day catalogues of either musician.
"When Love Is Dying" and "Never Too Old (to Hold Somebody)" are even stronger. Plaintive and emotion-filled without descending to saccharine sweetness, they benefit from the singers' oaken voices and well-practiced studio skills. Between these men is nearly a century's worth of practice and refinement of skill, and the results reflect it. These songs sound effortless and matter-of-fact, as though the sentiments they express are at once confirmed truths.
Elton John and Leon Russell should have sat down to record 20 years ago - that much is certain - but they make up for lost time very well. "The Union" is a collaboration that lives up to the promise and hype it entails.
The deluxe edition contains two additional tracks: "My Kind of Hell" and the gorgeous "Mandalay Again."

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Set for release by Universal in October, 2010, and produced by T Bone Burnett, The Union marks the culmination of a mutual musical adoration that began in the late 1960s, ahead of Elton's debut US performance in 1970 at The Troubadour Club in Los Angeles. The album is a collaboration between Elton and Leon Russell, with songs by Elton and Bernie Taupin; by Elton, Bernie and Leon; by Elton and Leon and by Leon alone.The Union was recorded in Los Angeles earlier this year, with guest musicians including Brian Wilson, Booker T, Don Was and Neil Young. Cameron Crowe has filmed the sessions for a documentary, creating too a moment of history as this is the first time that the genesis of Elton's music has been recorded on film. Critics who have had an early preview of the album are united in praise for the work that Elton describes as a "Seventies record with a modern feel."

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