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The Union (Elton John and Leon Russell album)

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 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]

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

The Union

19 October 2010

20 November 2009 – March 2010

The Village (Los Angeles, California)

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

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.

: vocals (1-15), piano (2-4, 6-15)

Elton John

: piano, vocals; BGV arrangement (1, 5, 7, 10, 16)

Leon Russell

: drums & percussion (1-9, 11-15)

Jim Keltner

: drums & percussion (1-15)

Jay Bellerose

Mike Piersante: tambourine (3, 8), percussion (11)

: beaded gourd (6)

Debra Dobkin

Mike Ford: percussion (11)

: acoustic bass (1-4, 6–10, 12-15)

Dennis Crouch

: bass guitar (5, 11)

Don Was

: bass guitar (5)

Davey Faragher

Drew Lambert: electric bass (16)

: guitar (1-4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 13-15), acoustic guitar (8)

Marc Ribot

: electric guitar (3, 6, 12)

T Bone Burnett

: guitar (5, 11)

Doyle Bramhall II

: pedal steel (7)

Robert Randolph

Russ Pahl: pedal steel (6)

: Hammond B-3 organ (1, 5, 9, 11)

Booker T. Jones

: keyboards (1-15)

Keefus Ciancia

Marty Grebb: keyboards (7, 16)

Jason Wormer: (4), percussion (11)

dulcimer

: trumpet (1, 4, 5, 8, 11, 13), bass trumpet (1, 11, 13), horn arrangements & conductor (1, 4, 5, 8, 11, 13)

Darrell Leonard

Ira Nepus: trombone (1, 4, 11)

Maurice Spears: trombone (1, 4, 11)

: trombone (1, 4, 11), baritone (1, 4, 11)

George Bohanon

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: BGV conductor (1-3, 5–10, 12-16), BGV arrangement (2, 3, 6, 8, 9, 12-15)

: backing vocals & BGV arrangement on "When Love Is Dying"

Brian Wilson

: vocals on "Gone to Shiloh"

Neil Young

: backing vocals (1, 3, 8, 10, 12, 16), tambourine (10)

Rose Stone

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)

: backing vocals (2, 6, 9, 12, 15)

Lou Pardini

: backing vocals (2, 6, 9, 12, 15)

Jason Scheff

Tiffany Smith: backing vocals (3, 8, 16

Alfie Silas-Durio: backing vocals (1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12-16)

: backing vocals (1-3, 5–10, 12-16)

Tata Vega

Jean Witherspoon: backing vocals (1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 16)

Technical personnel

youtube.com, Elton John & Leon Russell on CBS Sunday Morning (12-12-10)

Official website

at IMDb

The Union

YouTube,, Leon Russell's Induction into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame 2011

NAMM Oral History Program Interview (2012)

Leon Russell