Elton John and Leon Russell have christened their new album with a concert at New York’s icon Beacon Theatre.
John and Russell opened their tour in support of the album The Union on Tuesday night in New York. From all reports, even though Elton was there, the night was about Leon and his influence on John's music
Elton took the stage first, but only to introduce Leon who walked slowly to his piano with the help of a cane. His six-song set was taken mostly from his early-70's output including his number 11 hit Tight Rope and the classics A Song For You and Delta Lady.
Elton joined him for a complete run through, in track order, of the new album, a testament to the quality of the music as the crowd did not grow restless listening to an album that had only been released that day. Finally, Elton played his own set which concentrated heavily on music from his early albums that were so influenced by Russell. Finally, the crowd called the pair back for an encore, one for which they were not prepared, so they played the song Hey Ahab from The Union for a second time.
The Set List
Leon Russell set
Tight Rope (from Carney, 1972)
Prince of Peace (from Leon Russell, 1970)
A Song For You (from Carney, 1972)
Delta Lady (from Leon Russell, 1970)
Roll in My Sweet Baby's Arms (Bill Monroe cover)
Stranger in a Strange Land (from Leon Russell and the Shelter People, 1971)
Elton John & Leon Russell set
If It Wasn't For Bad (from The Union, 2010)
Eight Hundred Dollar Shoes (from The Union, 2010)
Hey Ahab (from The Union, 2010)
Gone to Shiloh (from The Union, 2010)
Jimmie Rodgers' Dream (from The Union, 2010)
There's No Tomorrow (from The Union, 2010)
Monkey Suit (from The Union, 2010)
The Best Part of the Day (from The Union, 2010)
A Dream Come True (from The Union, 2010)
When Love is Dying (from The Union, 2010)
I Should Have Sent Roses (from The Union, 2010)
Hearts Have Turned to Stone (from The Union, 2010)
Never Too Old (To Hold Somebody) (from The Union, 2010)
In the Hands of Angels (from The Union, 2010)
Elton John set
Burn Down the Mission (from Tumbleweed Connection, 1970)
Levon (from Madman Across The Water, 1971)
Tiny Dancer (from Madman Across The Water, 1971)
Ballad of a Well Known Gun (from Tumbleweed Connection, 1970)
I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues (from Too Low For Zero, 1983)
Your Song (from Elton John, 1970)
Take Me to the Pilot (from Elton John, 1970)
Sad Songs (Say So Much) (from Breaking Hearts, 1984)
The Bitch is Back (from Caribou, 1974)
Encore - Elton John & Leon Russell
Hey Ahab (reprise)
