The Union (Elton John and Leon Russell album)

For the documentary film about the album, see The Union (2011 film). For other albums, see The Union (disambiguation) § Music.

2010 studio album by Elton John and Leon Russell

The Union

Studio album by

Elton John and Leon Russell

Released| 19 October 2010
Recorded| 20 November 2009 – March 2010
Studio| The Village (Los Angeles, California)
Genre|

* Rhythm and blues
* rock
* country rock
* blues rock

Length|

* 63:12 (standard album)
* 66:28 (iTunes deluxe LP)
* 71:22 (deluxe CD and vinyl)

Label|

* Decca (US)
* Mercury (UK)

Producer| T Bone Burnett
Elton John chronology
| Rocket Man: The Definitive Hits
(2007)  | The Union
(2010)  | Gnomeo & Juliet (Original Soundtrack)
(2011)

|
|

Leon Russell chronology
| A Mighty Flood
(2008)  | The Union
(2010)  | Life Journey
(2014)

|
|

The Union is a collaboration studio album by singer-songwriters Elton John and Leon Russell, released on 19 October 2010 in the US and on 25 October in the UK. This is John's second collaboration album, after 1993's Duets. This is the first studio release by John since 1979's Victim of Love without any of his regular Elton John Band members. It is also his highest charting studio album on the Billboard 200 since 1976's Blue Moves, debuting at No. 3, as well as Russell's highest charting studio album since 1972's Carney. The Union was No. 3 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 30 Best Albums of 2010.[1]

The album features appearances by Booker T. Jones (on Hammond B-3), Neil Young (vocals), Robert Randolph (pedal steel), and Brian Wilson (vocal harmonies). This album was dedicated to Guy Babylon, John's keyboard player who died a year before its release.[2] "If It Wasn't for Bad" was nominated for the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals and "Hey Ahab" became a staple in John's concert tours.

## Reception

[edit]

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (November 2023)

|

Professional ratingsAggregate scores

Source| Rating
Metacritic| 76/100[3]
Review scores
Source| Rating
Allmusic| [4]
Clash| [5]
Consequence of Sound| [6]
Contactmusic.com| [7]
Daily Mirror| [8]
Financial Times| [9]
The Guardian| [10]
The Independent| [11]
Los Angeles Times| [12]
Rolling Stone| [13]
Uncut|

The Union received mostly positive reviews with critics praising it as some of the pair's best work to date. It reached No. 3 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 30 Best Albums of 2010.[14]

### Accolades

[edit]

#### Grammy Awards

[edit]

Year  | Nominee / work  | Award  | Result

|
|
|

Nominations for The Union 2011 | "If It Wasn't for Bad" | Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals[15] | Nominated

## Track listing

[edit]

No.| Title| Writer(s)| Length

|
|
|

1.| "If It Wasn't for Bad"| Leon Russell| 3:43
2.| "Eight Hundred Dollar Shoes"| Elton John, Bernie Taupin| 3:23
3.| "Hey Ahab"| John, Taupin| 5:39
4.| "Gone to Shiloh" (featuring Neil Young)| John, Taupin| 4:50
5.| "Hearts Have Turned to Stone" (moved to twelfth track on some CD copies)| Russell| 3:47
6.| "Jimmie Rodgers' Dream"| John, Taupin, T Bone Burnett| 3:42
7.| "There's No Tomorrow"| John, Russell, Burnett, James Timothy Shaw| 3:45
8.| "Monkey Suit"| John, Taupin| 4:46
9.| "The Best Part of the Day"| John, Taupin| 4:45
10.| "A Dream Come True"| John, Russell| 5:07
11.| "I Should Have Sent Roses"| Russell, Taupin| 5:21
12.| "When Love Is Dying"| John, Taupin| 4:51
13.| "My Kind of Hell" (bonus track on iTunes digital deluxe LP, deluxe CD and vinyl only)| John, Taupin| 3:16
14.| "Mandalay Again" (bonus track on deluxe CD and vinyl only)| John, Taupin| 4:54
15.| "Never Too Old (To Hold Somebody)"| John, Taupin| 4:58
16.| "In the Hands of Angels"| Russell| 4:43

## Personnel

[edit]

* Elton John: vocals (1–15), piano (2–4, 6–15)
* Leon Russell: piano, vocals; backing vocals arrangement (1, 5, 7, 10, 16)
* Jim Keltner: drums & percussion (1–9, 11–15)
* Jay Bellerose: drums & percussion (1–15)
* Mike Piersante: tambourine (3, 8), percussion (11)
* Debra Dobkin: beaded gourd (6)
* Mike Ford: percussion (11)
* Dennis Crouch: acoustic bass (1–4, 6–10, 12–15)
* Don Was: bass guitar (5, 11)
* Davey Faragher: bass guitar (5)
* Drew Lambert: electric bass (16)
* Marc Ribot: guitar (1–4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 13–15), acoustic guitar (8)
* T Bone Burnett: electric guitar (3, 6, 12)
* Doyle Bramhall II: guitar (5, 11)
* Robert Randolph: pedal steel (7)
* Russ Pahl: pedal steel (6)
* Booker T. Jones: Hammond B-3 organ (1, 5, 9, 11)
* Keefus Ciancia: keyboards (1–15)
* Marty Grebb: keyboards (7, 16)
* Jason Wormer: dulcimer (4), percussion (11)
* Darrell Leonard: trumpet (1, 4, 5, 8, 11, 13), bass trumpet (1, 11, 13), horn arrangements & conductor (1, 4, 5, 8, 11, 13)
* Ira Nepus: trombone (1, 4, 11)
* Maurice Spears: trombone (1, 4, 11)
* George Bohanon: trombone (1, 4, 11), baritone (1, 4, 11)
* William Roper: tuba (1, 4, 11)
* Thomas Peterson: saxophone (5, 8, 11, 13)
* Joseph Sublett: saxophone (5, 8, 11, 13)
* Jim Thompson: saxophone (5, 8, 11, 13)
* Bill Maxwell: backing vocals conductor (1–3, 5–10, 12–16), backing vocals arrangement (2, 3, 6, 8, 9, 12–15)
* Brian Wilson: backing vocals & backing vocals arrangement on "When Love Is Dying"
* Neil Young: vocals on "Gone to Shiloh"
* Rose Stone: backing vocals (1, 3, 8, 10, 12, 16), tambourine (10)
* Tanya Balam: backing vocals (3, 8, 16)
* Bill Cantos: backing vocals (2, 3, 6, 8, 9, 12–16)
* Judith Hill: backing vocals (1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 13, 14, 16)
* Kellyie Huff: backing vocals (3, 8, 16)
* Perry Morgan: backing vocals (3, 8, 16)
* Lou Pardini: backing vocals (2, 6, 9, 12, 15)
* Jason Scheff: backing vocals (2, 6, 9, 12, 15)
* Tiffany Smith: backing vocals (3, 8, 16
* Alfie Silas-Durio: backing vocals (1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12–16)
* Tata Vega: backing vocals (1–3, 5–10, 12–16)
* Jean Witherspoon: backing vocals (1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 16)

Technical personnel

* Produced by T Bone Burnett
* Executive Producers: Elton John and Johnny Barbis.
* Production Coordination: Adrian Collee, Jon Howard and Ivy Skoff.
* Recorded by Mike Piersante and Jason Wormer.
* Assistant Engineers: Ben McAmis, Kyle Ford, Mark Lambert, Brett Lind, Chris Owens, Kory Aaron and Vanessa Parr.
* Recorded at Quad Studios (Nashville) and The Village Recorder (Los Angeles).
* Mixed by Mike Piersante at The Village Recorder.
* Edited by Jason Wormer
* Mastered by Gavin Lurssen at Lurssen Mastering (Los Angeles, CA).
* Guitar Technician: Paul Ackling
* Transcription by John Eidsvoog and Julie Eidsvoog.
* Design: Peacock
* Photography: Frank W. Ockenfels 3, Joseph Guay, Annie Leibovitz and Steve Todoroff.

## Charts

[edit]

Chart performance for The Union Chart (2010)  | Peak
position

|

Australian Albums (ARIA)[16] | 28
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[17] | 28
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[18] | 66
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[19] | 91
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[20] | 7
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)[21] | 15
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[22] | 60
French Albums (SNEP)[23] | 51
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[24] | 23
Greek Albums (IFPI)[25] | 62
Irish Albums (IRMA)[26] | 52
Italian Albums (FIMI)[27] | 28
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[28] | 24
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[29] | 5
Scottish Albums (OCC)[30] | 12
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)[31] | 30
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[32] | 24
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[33] | 27
UK Albums (OCC)[34] | 12
US Billboard 200[35] | 3

## Certifications and sales

[edit]

Certifications and sales for The Union Region  | Certification | Certified units/sales

|
|

Canada (Music Canada)[36] | Gold  | 40,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[37] | Silver  | 60,000^
United States  | —  | 329,000[38]

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "The 30 Best Albums of 2010". Rolling Stone (25 December 2010). Retrieved 18 January 2011
2. ^ Nick DeRiso, Elton John and Leon Russell’s The Union was marked by this bittersweet sense of loss, Oct. 20, 2015
3. ^ "Critic Reviews for The Union". Metacritic. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
4. ^ Stephen Thomas Erlewine (19 October 2010). "The Union - Elton John, Leon Russell | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
5. ^ "Elton John And Leon Russell – The Union | Clash Music Latest Album Review". Clashmusic.com. 25 October 2010. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
6. ^ "Album Review: Elton John and Leon Russell – The Union « Consequence of Sound". consequence.net. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
7. ^ "Elton John – The Union (feat Leon Russell) Album Review". Contactmusic.com. 12 October 2010. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
8. ^ "Elton John & Leon Russell – The Union: Album review". Daily Mirror. 21 October 2010. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
9. ^ "/ Arts / Music – Elton John and Leon Russell: The Union". Ft.com. 22 October 2010. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
10. ^ Alexis Petridis (21 October 2010). "Elton John and Leon Russell: The Union – review | Music". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
11. ^ "Album: Elton John & Leon Russell, Union (Mercury) – Reviews, Music". The Independent. London. 22 October 2010. Archived from the original on 20 June 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
12. ^ "Album review: Elton John and Leon Russell's 'The Union' | Pop & Hiss | Los Angeles Times". Latimesblogs.latimes.com. 19 October 2010. p. m. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
13. ^ David Fricke (12 October 2010). "The Union | Album Reviews". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 15 October 2010. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
14. ^ "30 Best Albums of 2010: Elton John and Leon Russell, The Union". Rolling Stone. 14 December 2010. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
15. ^ "GRAMMY Rewind: 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards". Los Angeles Times. 5 January 1996. Retrieved 24 January 2013.
16. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Elton John / Leon Russell – The Union". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
17. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Elton John / Leon Russell – The Union" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
18. ^ "Ultratop.be – Elton John/ Leon Russell – The Union" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
19. ^ "Ultratop.be – Elton John / Leon Russell – The Union" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
20. ^ "Elton John Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
21. ^ "Danishcharts.dk – Elton John / Leon Russell – The Union". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
22. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Elton John / Leon Russell – The Union" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
23. ^ "Lescharts.com – Elton John / Leon Russell – The Union". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
24. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Elton John / Leon Russell – The Union" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
25. ^ "Greekcharts.com – Elton John / Leon Russell – The Union". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
26. ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Elton John". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
27. ^ "Italiancharts.com – Elton John/ Leon Russell – The Union". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
28. ^ "Charts.nz – Elton John / Leon Russell – The Union". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
29. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Elton John / Leon Russell – The Union". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
30. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
31. ^ "Spanishcharts.com – Elton John / Leon Russell – The Union". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
32. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Elton John / Leon Russell – The Union". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
33. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Elton John / Leon Russell – The Union". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
34. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
35. ^ "Elton John Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
36. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Elton John & Leon Russell – The Union". Music Canada. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
37. ^ "British album certifications – Elton John & Leon Russell – The Union". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
38. ^ Yuan, Annie (4 April 2011). "Elton John Performs, Pokes Fun at 'Spider-Man' Musical on SNL". Billboard. Archived from the original on 13 September 2014. Retrieved 15 November 2021.

## External links

[edit]

* youtube.com, Elton John & Leon Russell on CBS Sunday Morning (12-12-10)
* Official website
* The Union at IMDb
* YouTube,, Leon Russell's Induction into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame 2011
* Leon Russell NAMM Oral History Program Interview (2012)

* v
* t
* e

Elton John

* Songs
* Albums
* Singles
* Concerts
* Videos
* Awards

Studio albums|

* Empty Sky
* Elton John
* Tumbleweed Connection
* Madman Across the Water
* Honky Château
* Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player
* Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
* Caribou
* Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy
* Rock of the Westies
* Blue Moves
* A Single Man
* Victim of Love
* 21 at 33
* The Fox
* Jump Up!
* Too Low for Zero
* Breaking Hearts
* Ice on Fire
* Leather Jackets
* Reg Strikes Back
* Sleeping with the Past
* The One
* Duets
* Made in England
* The Big Picture
* Songs from the West Coast
* Peachtree Road
* The Captain & the Kid
* The Diving Board
* Wonderful Crazy Night
* Regimental Sgt. Zippo
* The Lockdown Sessions

Live albums|

* 17-11-70
* Here and There
* Live in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
* Elton John One Night Only – The Greatest Hits
* Elton 60 – Live at Madison Square Garden
* Live from Moscow 1979
* Live from the Rainbow Theatre

Soundtrack albums|

* Friends
* The Lion King (1994)
* Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida
* The Muse
* The Road to El Dorado
* Gnomeo & Juliet (soundtrack)
* Rocketman
* The Lion King (2019)

Compilation albums|

* Greatest Hits
* Greatest Hits Volume II
* Lady Samantha
* Greatest Hits Vol. 3
* The Complete Thom Bell Sessions
* To Be Continued
* The Very Best of Elton John
* Rare Masters
* Greatest Hits 1976–1986
* Chartbusters Go Pop
* Classic Elton John
* Love Songs
* Greatest Hits 1970–2002
* Elton John's Christmas Party
* Rocket Man: The Definitive Hits
* Diamonds
* Elton: Jewel Box

Extended plays|

* "I've Been Loving You"
* The Thom Bell Sessions
* Remixed

Other albums|

* Two Rooms: Celebrating the Songs of Elton John & Bernie Taupin
* The Union
* Good Morning to the Night
* Revamp & Restoration
* Who Believes in Angels?

Video albums|

* Night and Day Concert
* Live in Australia
* The Very Best of Elton John
* Live in Barcelona
* Love Songs
* Elton John One Night Only – The Greatest Hits
* Dream Ticket
* Elton 60 – Live at Madison Square Garden
* The Red Piano

Concert tours|

* 1970 World Tour
* Rock of the Westies Tour
* Louder Than Concorde Tour
* 1979 tour of the Soviet Union
* 1980 World Tour
* Jump Up Tour
* Too Low for Zero Tour
* European Express Tour
* Breaking Hearts Tour
* Ice on Fire Tour
* Tour De Force
* Sleeping with the Past Tour
* The One Tour
* Face to Face 1994
* Face to Face 1995
* Made in England Tour
* Face to Face 1998
* An Evening with Elton John
* Medusa Tour
* Stately Home Tour
* Face to Face 2001
* Songs from the West Coast Tour
* Face to Face 2002
* A Journey Through Time
* 2003 Tour
* Face to Face 2003
* 2004 Tour
* Peachtree Road Tour
* 2006 European Tour
* The Captain and the Kid Tour
* Rocket Man: Greatest Hits Live
* Face to Face 2009
* Face to Face 2010
* 2010 European Tour
* Greatest Hits Tour
* 40th Anniversary of the Rocket Man
* The Diving Board Tour
* Follow the Yellow Brick Road Tour
* All the Hits Tour
* The Final Curtain Tour
* Wonderful Crazy Night Tour
* Farewell Yellow Brick Road

Concert residencies|

* The Red Piano
* The Million Dollar Piano

Miscellaneous
performances|

* List of Elton John and Ray Cooper concert tours
* The Union Tour

Musicals|

* The Lion King
* 1994 film
* 2019 film
* 1997 musical
* The Road to El Dorado
* Aida
* Billy Elliot the Musical
* Lestat
* The Devil Wears Prada
* Tammy Faye

Documentaries|

* Elton John: Tantrums & Tiaras
* Elton John: Me, Myself & I
* The Union
* Elton John: Never Too Late

Related articles|

* Bernie Taupin
* Elton John Band
* Gus Dudgeon
* Paul Buckmaster
* John Reid
* Ray Williams
* Dick James
* DJM Records
* David Furnish
* Kiki Dee
* Elton John AIDS Foundation
* Watford F.C.
* Bluesology
* Hookfoot
* Woodside, Old Windsor
* Rocket Pictures
* Elton John: The Classic Years
* Rocketman (film)
* Me

* Category

* v
* t
* e

Leon Russell

Studio albums|

| Smash Records|

* Look Inside the Asylum Choir

|

Shelter Records|

* Asylum Choir II
* Leon Russell
* Leon Russell and the Shelter People
* Carney
* Hank Wilson's Back Vol. I
* Stop All That Jazz
* Will O' the Wisp
* Wedding Album
* Make Love to the Music

Leon Russell Records|

* Guitar Blues
* Moonlight & Love Songs
* Legend in My Time: Hank Wilson Vol. III
* Face in the Crowd
* Rhythm & Bluegrass: Hank Wilson, Vol. 4
* Bad Country
* Angel in Disguise
* In Your Dreams
* A Mighty Flood

Paradise Records|

* Americana
* Life and Love
* Blues: Same Old Song
* Solid State
* Hank Wilson, Vol. II

Other labels|

* One for the Road
* Looking Back
* Anything Can Happen
* The Union
* Life Journey
* On a Distant Shore

Live albums|

* Mad Dogs and Englishmen with Joe Cocker
* Leon Live
* Live in Japan
* Live at Gilley's

Songs|

* "A Song for You"
* "Delta Lady"
* "Tight Rope"
* "This Masquerade"
* "Rollin' in My Sweet Baby's Arms"
* "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry"
* "If I Were a Carpenter"
* "Lady Blue"
* "Foggy Mountain Breakdown"

See also|

* The Church Studio
* Tulsa Sound
* The Wrecking Crew
* The Asylum Choir
* A Poem Is a Naked Person
* The Concert for Bangladesh
* The Union Tour
* The Union (film)

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz release group

|

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