The Smiley Smile Message Board

sorry if this was already posted but this is from Bernie Taupin's blog

Work on Bernie’s project with Elton and Leon is about to go to the mixing phase.

Aside from a few additional things to check off the to-do list, the record which now consists of 16 tracks is on the home stretch. The album will be released in the fall, most likely in October.

To confirm what has already leaked out to the press, Neil Young is featured significantly on one of the albums key tracks. Other guests contributing outside of those listed in the last posting are Booker T. Jones, Brian Wilson  and pedal steel wizard Robert Randolph.





This should be pretty interesting

Hopefully more interesting than EJ's work on GIOMH.

Hmmm... GIOMH's guests, Elton's guests, Postcard's guests, Peter Gabriel's scratching backs album....  Is this a new wave of incestuous albums from stars who reckon their albums won't sell unless they also appeal to other fan bases?

I think some of these guys figure 'Hey, I'm getting up there. I've always wanted to work with X artist. Maybe I'd better in case this is my last album'. Sort of morbid, I know.

Ah, the kind-of "living funeral" album!

Wonder if it's got anything to do with this:

http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/awards/grammys/2010-01-30-musicares_N.htm (http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/awards/grammys/2010-01-30-musicares_N.htm)

Elton John - a major artist who sings worse than Brian!

it may have something to do with the fact that Elton's album is a collaboration with Leon Russell, whom Brian knew in the 60s, and of course Brian also knows Neil Young pretty well, and He and Elton arent exactly strangers, so it may simply just be a case of some friends making music together as opposed to a marketing ploy.

also I'd like to point out that the album is being produced by T Bone Burnett and from the description Bernie Taupin has gived on his blog, it wont sound anything like your typical Elton John album.

Brian's people tried that with GIOMH - Elton, Clapton & Macca - and they still couldn't give it away.

True, but in all honesty many people would avoid it JUST for that reason. Clapton bores the f*** out of me, Elton hasn't been relevant in forever, and McCartney...well...yeah.

Another astute move from Brian's management.  ::)

But, to be fair, you could have had God and the Choir Celestial singing bvs and it would still suck.

Andrew, I know you are trying to hide it, but could you please tell us your opinion of the GIOMH album?

This 'guesting' sucks! Round up the usual suspects for The Travelling Wilburys Mk11 I say.

Brian Wilson
Elton John
Paul McCartney
Eric Clapton
Stevie Wonder

I will say this though...it was a FAR better idea then Gary Usher's "Brian & Friends" idea back in the late 80s. THAT would have been the drizzlin' shits.

Gonna check this out, should be good.

Perhaps these oldie rock folks are taking their cue from the current pop/hip-hop pattern of always using "guest stars" on tracks.

I'm very excited for this album.  I think Leon will help steer Elton away from his schmaltzier tendencies, and with T Bone producing it will sound anything BUT embarrassing.  Add Bernie Taupin's lyrics to the mix and I think we have a sure fire winner here.  The fact that it took barely three months (or even less!) to record bodes well in terms of capturing spontaneity in the performances, catching the songs on tape while they're still fresh.

Heck, if it's another good collection of John/Taupin compositions, they can have whomever they want on board, far as I'm concerned.

Can't forget the 4th guest appearance...Carl!!

agreed