"If It Wasn't For Bad" was written by Leon Russell and is a great opener. Russell's voice and the piano is beautiful and it's fun to listen to. The lyrics are very clever and it reminds me of John's earlier work from the 70s, which is when the two artists met. Great song.
"Eight Hundred Dollar Shoes" was written by Elton John and his long time lyrical partner Bernie Taupin, and it is very Elton John and like the first song reminds me of his earlier work. Not to say that it's dated - I must clarify this for the whole album: it's reminiscent of a certain period in music, but they aren't old and tired remakes, they are very much alive and new and emotional. This track in particular is a slow, melodic ballad and very beautiful. It makes me wonder if John is talking about himself or another aged popular star....
"Hey Ahab" was written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin and is a lively, gospel and bluesy folk song. It is very dance-able and sets your toes to tapping. Great to listen to with the volume jacked all the way up. John and Russell's voices and piano-playing is very complimentary to each other.
"Gone to Shiloh" was written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin and is another slow and melodic ballad from the point of view of a soldier during the Civil War. This is another beautiful song. They even added a little trumpet, some deep and ominous beat of drums and the sad, high voice of a harmonica for effect.
"Jimmie Rodgers' Dream" was written by John, Taupin, and the producer of the album, T Bone Burnett. This is a country sounding folk tune. I'm not sure who Jimmie Rodgers is, but I'm sure he'd enjoy this song about going out west past the Mississippi. And the musicians have added something that sounds like a coal engine train or horses hooves, I'm not sure which. Great song that evokes an early part of American history.
"There's No Tomorrow" was written by John, Leon Russell, James Timothy Shaw, and T Bone Burnett. This is a dramatic and sorrowful gospel song. Deep, dark, and melodic and a wonderful composition.
"Monkey Suit" was written by John and Taupin and is a fun and exciting ditty. It has a great beat to it and, like "Hey Ahab", sets your toes to tapping and hands to clapping.
"The Best Part of the Day" was written by John and Taupin and is anothe melodic ballad that is reminiscent of a folk song. But this one is fun and encouraging.
"A Dream Come True" was written by John and Russell and is a song that could easily represent the feelings of the musicians involved. This is another joyful toe-tapper that is enjoyable to listen to and one of the first songs they started writing together for this album.
"When Love Is Dying" is a sad and melancholy song written by John and Taupin. It is absolutely beautiful, well-written and charged with emotion.
"I Should Have Sent Roses" is a sad song filled with irony and written by Russell and Taupin. Well-written and also seemingly heartfelt.
"Hearts Have Turned to Stone" was written by Russell. It is very bluesy and has gospel overtones with the use of saxophone and organ-stylized keyboards. It is interesting to hear John used as a backup singer as his voice is so distinctive.
"Never Too Old (To Hold Somebody)" was written by John and Taupin. It is one of the most beautiful songs on this album and I had the chance to hear it live in concert during Elton John's RocketMan 2010 Tour and it is wonderful. It was from listening to this song that convinced me to buy the album.
"In the Hands of Angels" was written by Russell and its lyrics tell me this must've been after Russell had his brain surgery. It was after his operation that he got his confidence back to write this album and it still amazes me to think that he had his surgery and a week later he started working on the album again. The work must have been rehabilitating for him.
This album was largely written by John and Taupin but it was still a collaborative effort. The songs that Leon Russell wrote prove that he should be more well-known to the general public than he is. When you read the cd's booklet, it becomes obvious that the two musicians worked well with each other and had the time of their lives making this album. The great music that came of this collaboration showcases the overall joy of the teamwork, too.
Overall, this album is a great buy. It evokes many styles of songwriting and the story behind its making is a wonder and it was caught on film by the famous director Cameron Crowe (I wonder when that will be available to the general public). This is a must for all Elton John and Leon Russell fans. OMG, he still has it!
Some information for those interested in Leon Russell:
-To quote Neil McCormick of Telegraph.co.uk:
"Russell’s 1970 solo debut album of silky, gospel blues featured guest appearances by Eric Clapton, George Harrison and Steve Winwood. It quickly established him among American rock royalty, a singer- songwriter with reputation for composing classics. “I was always trying to write standards, songs that anybody can sing. I figured that’s where the money was,” he claims. Russell’s A Song For You has been recorded more than 100 times by artists as diverse as The Carpenters, Cher, Ray Charles, Simply Red and Whitney Houston. Other much covered hits include Superstar, Delta Lady and This Masquerade. As far as his own claim to greatness goes, Russell relates a story about his recording session with Frank Sinatra, in which the young, bequiffed pianist was having a bad hair day. “I didn’t have time to wash it and spray it, and it was hanging down everywhere when I went into the studio, and Sinatra was staring at me and ran into a pole. I kinda felt that was my contribution to American music.' "
