With an unexpected break from his farewell tour due to the pandemic, Elton John remained busy. On Sept. 1, 2021, he announced the release of The Lockdown Sessions, an album of all-star collaborations recorded remotely over the last 18 months. The title, including songs with Stevie Nicks, Stevie Wonder, and such pop stars as Dua Lupa and Charlie Puth, was released on October 22, via Interscope Records. Listen to “Stolen Car” with Nicks and “Finish Line,” with Wonder on vocals, piano and harmonica, below.
From the announcement: In March 2020, John was forced to pause his record breaking Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour due to the unfolding COVID pandemic. As the world began to shut down, different projects presented themselves with artists Elton had enjoyed getting to know through his Apple Music show Rocket Hour. This album saw Elton coming full circle and returning to his roots as a session musician.
The collaboration with Stevie Wonder was released on Sept. 30. “I couldn’t be more proud of ‘Finish Line’ – I’d go as far as to say it’s one of the best records I’ve ever made,” says John. “Stevie’s voice is as good as I can ever remember hearing him – he sounds like a 17-year-old again, he’s singing with a sheer joy and exuberance in his vocals. It was a magical process. I’ve always loved collaborating with Stevie, and I’m delighted that after fifty years of friendship we finally get to do a full blown duet. His talent is beyond ridiculous. When you listen to what he does vocally and instrumentally on ‘Finish Line’ you think, this is a true genius here.”
Wonder says, “It is both a joy and honor to sing, play piano and harmonica for Elton! He has truly been one of the great spirits of music, life, friendship, and love, who I’ve met on this life journey! True artistry and music like love equals a forever commitment lasting many lifetimes. Long live Sir Elton John!”
Listen to “Finish Line”
The two stars are joined on the cut by several dozen other musicians including the Heartbreakers’ Benmont Tench, bass guitarist Pino Palladino, and background vocalist Naarai Jacobs.
Listen to John’s duet with Stevie Nicks, “Stolen Car”
On the first single, “Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)” with Dua Lipa, the album takes the listener on a journey through many different genres. The Lockdown Sessions is a diverse collection of 16 tracks with 10 brand new unreleased songs.
Watch the video for “Cold Heart”
The album was announced on Sept. 1. Says John: “The last thing I expected to do during lockdown was make an album. But, as the pandemic went on, one‐off projects kept cropping up. Some of the recording sessions had to be done remotely, via Zoom, which I’d obviously never done before. Some of the sessions were recorded under very stringent safety regulations: working with another artist, but separated by glass screens. But all the tracks I worked on were really interesting and diverse, stuff that was completely different to anything I’m known for, stuff that took me out of my comfort zone into completely new territory. And I realized there was something weirdly familiar about working like this. At the start of my career, in the late 60s, I worked as a session musician. Working with different artists during lockdown reminded me of that. I’d come full circle: I was a session musician again. And it was still a blast.”
John’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour resumes in January 2022. Tickets are available here and here.
The Lockdown Sessions Tracklist
1. Elton John & Dua Lipa – Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)
2. Elton John, Young Thug & Nicki Minaj – Always Love You
3. Surfaces feat. Elton John – Learn To Fly
4. Elton John & Charlie Puth – After All
5. Rina Sawayama & Elton John – Chosen Family
6. Gorillaz feat. Elton John & 6LACK – The Pink Phantom
7. Elton John & Years & Years – It’s a sin (global reach mix)
8. Miley Cyrus feat. WATT, Elton John, Yo-Yo Ma, Robert Trujillo & Chad Smith – Nothing Else Matters
9. Elton John & SG Lewis – Orbit
10. Elton John & Brandi Carlile – Simple Things
11. Jimmie Allen & Elton John – Beauty In The Bones
12. Lil Nas X feat. Elton John – One Of Me
13. Elton John & Eddie Vedder – E-Ticket
14. Elton John & Stevie Wonder – Finish Line
15. Elton John & Stevie Nicks – Stolen Car
16. Glen Campbell & Elton John – I’m Not Gonna Miss You
Related: Details on John’s farewell tour
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