The Who‘s Pete Townshend inadvertently spilled the beans on it in December 2023, but now it’s been confirmed: Elton John really did make an entire album with Brandi Carlile — and it’s coming out on April 4.
The album, Who Believes In Angels?, teams Elton and Brandi with producer Andrew Watt; they also worked together on Elton’s Oscar-nominated song “Never Too Late.” The album is available for preorder and the title track is available now, as is a “making of” video. If you preorder the album, you’ll have a chance to buy tickets to An Evening With Elton John & Brandi Carlile, a one-night-only concert at The London Palladium on March 26.
Elton and Brandi started recording the album in October 2023, with the goal of completing it in just 20 days. It features songs sung by both Elton and Brandi, and lyrics by Brandi and Bernie Taupin. Backing them up are Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, bassist Pino Palladino and guitarist Josh Klinghoffer.
Elton says in a statement, “This record was one of the toughest I’ve ever made, but it was also one of the greatest musical experiences of my life. It has given me a place where I know I can move forward. Who Believes In Angels? feels like going into another era and I’m pushing the door open to come into the future.”
“I have everything I’ve done behind me and it’s been brilliant, amazing. But this is the new start for me,” he adds. “As far as I’m concerned, this is the start of my career Mark two.”
Brandi adds, “The world is a wild place to live in right now. It’s hard to find peace and triumph. It’s a radical act to seek out joyful and euphoric happenings. And that is what this album represents to me.”
Here’s the track listing:
“The Rose Of Laura Nyro”
“Little Richard’s Bible”
“Swing For The Fences”
“Never Too Late”
“You Without Me”
“Who Believes In Angels?”
“The River Man”
“A Little Light”
“Someone To Belong To”
“When This Old World Is Done With Me”
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