Blog: PopMatters

The collaboration between piano men John and Russell comes up flat. A flagging energy level and over-reliance on ballads weighs The Union down. The impetus for the collaboration between Elton John and Leon Russell on The Union comes from a pure artistic place, one devoid of commercial considerations beyond making a few bucks for one of rock's forgotten heroes. Unfortunately the creative execution results in a rather ponderous disc that's ambition exceeds its reach. Despite an A-team of producer T-Bone Burnett and guest artists like Neil Young and Brian Wilson, The Union comes off feeling incomplete and [...]