Elton John and Brandi Carlile team up for new album

Elton John and Brandi Carlile have made waves in the music world with their collaboration on the song “Never Too Late,” which was featured in the documentary “Elton John: Never Too Late” and garnered an Oscar nomination. Now, fans have even more to look forward to as the two artists have announced an entire album together titled “Who Believes In Angels?”

This upcoming album is not just a joint effort between Elton John and Brandi Carlile but also involves Elton’s longtime songwriting partner Bernie Taupin and producer Andrew Watt, who is known for his work as a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter. This collaboration extends beyond just the hit song “Never Too Late” as all four artists worked closely together on this upcoming project.

In an interview from the UK, Elton John shared that for this album, they decided to work with a different set of musicians instead of his usual band. Elton was on the piano while Brandi Carlile and Andrew Watt took on guitars. The talented lineup also included Pino Palladino on bass, Chad Smith from Red Hot Chili Peppers on drums, and Josh Klinghoffer, formerly with the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Pearl Jam’s touring band, on synthesizers.

Elton described the recording process as initially filled with tension and antagonism due to his own self-doubt and fatigue. However, after ironing out initial challenges during the first few days of recording, Elton found himself in a more relaxed and positive state as they progressed through the album’s creation.

A behind-the-scenes video released by the artists offers a glimpse into the making of the album, revealing that this project came together following the conclusion of Elton John’s farewell tour in the summer of 2023. Elton embarked on this new musical venture at the age of 76, seeking a fresh and creative challenge rather than coasting on past successes.

The album itself was put together in the span of just 20 days in October 2023, showcasing the dedication and hard work of the artists involved. Elton reflected on the recording process, admitting to feeling exhausted and having doubts at the outset but ultimately pushing through to deliver a remarkable final product.

With the upcoming release of “Who Believes In Angels?”, fans can look forward to an exciting musical collaboration between two renowned artists, Elton John and Brandi Carlile, alongside talented producers and musicians who all contributed their unique talents to create a truly exceptional album.