I can't imagine the pride and accomplishment of this album. Beautiful on the inside and the outside as Elton John creates a masterpiece while saving a legend Leon Russell. An act of human decency that will live forever in the Union!
Leon Russel is an absolute genius, ive loved his playing and writing since way back, from listening to early 70s stuff and Concert for Bangladesh, he was the best period.
In these strangest of times this documentary has filled my soul and widened my heart. These musicians helped form my life and I'm so grateful for this representation, this life affirming gift of love and magic. Thank you for sharing here on YT❤
Thanks for this marvel. I just finished reading the incredibly detailed new book on Leon by Bill Janovitz, and this was a great way to celebrate him (I also used half a box of tissues)! Can't believe it's had so few views!
I got that biography a couple weeks ago. Read it cover to cover in days, then picked it up again to savor it over a couple of weeks. I learned a lot. So much to take in--and savor.
No problem. I figured this must have been available on YT, but it wasn't so I put it up. I wasn't sure it would not be blocked either. I had to trim 30 seconds of a Delany and Bonnie song, but that was it. I recorded this from my DVR when it first aired, and figured it would get released at some point, but nope. Great documentary of both Elton and Leon (and of course The Union album).
There’s a really nice comment on a version of this somewhere where Elton worries that people think he wears the same thing all the time and he just says ‘no I have 14 of these tracksuits’
Thank you, HBO for making this wonderful combo of Leon Russell and Elton John fantastic thank you too great guys. Great musicians Leon does look likely.
As many great albums and artists, I warmed up to Union, and to Leon Russell very slowly... Via the Elton door as it were. I've gotten used to his voice, and find it amusing, and fitting for my favorites- among them Queen of the Roller Derby. I knew of him because of the three Carpenters songs he wrote- A Song For You, This Masquerade, and one other (can't think of it off hand). Until Union, I'd never really heard him sing, except Tight Rope, which I didn't know was him. When way he sings Tight Rope, I can't help but think of Pete Puma with Buggs... "How many lumps you want Mac?"-"Better give me a whole lotta lumps"... Ha! Big Elton fan for like 50 years now... Thanks to Elton John, et al... Thank you.
As a die-hard fan of Elton John and slowly becoming one of Leon Russell's, i have to thank you from the bottom of my heart for uploading this. I've been looking for this documentary ever since i started listening to their Union album. It's fucking brilliant. 😍😃
Completely taken back to the pre-flash Elton, amazed he was so influenced by Leon Russell (and yet not, if you listen to them play). Session, the Ladies, Booker-T,a beautiful & mutual gift to us and between two of the greatest piano players in Rock & Roll. Everlasting Leon Love. ❤
hoda hoda Hoda Kotb. (stop the press) -He was damaged on his right half from birth, so therefore may have leaned on the left (my words not his). Many of the great composers were left handed. He said he invented things he could play. Wow. You know Joni Mitchell was partly disabled on her left because of polio from childhood, and invented tunings to accommodate that.
Elton's great at what he does but he doesn't have an ounce of Black in him compared to Leon. Hell I was the only White keyboard player in every Black Baptist Church in NE FLORIDA and I was a Celebrity. The White Gospel Ray Charles.
I can't imagine the pride and accomplishment of this album. Beautiful on the inside and the outside as Elton John creates a masterpiece while saving a legend Leon Russell. An act of human decency that will live forever in the Union!
I absolutely loved this, have been a Leon Russell fan since I first heard him in the 70's. I bought my husband the Union CD for a birthday gift
Leon Russel is an absolute genius, ive loved his playing and writing since way back, from listening to early 70s stuff and Concert for Bangladesh, he was the best period.
One of the best EJ related docos. Thank you so much for making this available on YT.
It's one of the best Leon Russell doco .
EJ was the name of my best friend in the 90's. He turned me on to Leon.
I'm thankful to have found this im a big Leon fan i would go see him every chance i could in the 70s & early 80s 🙏✌️
Just subscribed 👍
My late husband saw LR & EJ in 1970 when Elton opened for him. 👍🏻💕
In these strangest of times this documentary has filled my soul and widened my heart. These musicians helped form my life and I'm so grateful for this representation, this life affirming gift of love and magic. Thank you for sharing here on YT❤
Thanks for this marvel. I just finished reading the incredibly detailed new book on Leon by Bill Janovitz, and this was a great way to celebrate him (I also used half a box of tissues)! Can't believe it's had so few views!
I got that biography a couple weeks ago. Read it cover to cover in days, then picked it up again to savor it over a couple of weeks. I learned a lot. So much to take in--and savor.
I'm going to go buy this book!! 😊
I am so thrilled this is watchable now!!! Wow!!!!! Been waiting for seeming ever to find it -- absolutely beyond touching!!
Great Documentary of Leon Russell & Elton john l love.
Finallyyyy! Thank you!
No problem. I figured this must have been available on YT, but it wasn't so I put it up. I wasn't sure it would not be blocked either. I had to trim 30 seconds of a Delany and Bonnie song, but that was it. I recorded this from my DVR when it first aired, and figured it would get released at some point, but nope. Great documentary of both Elton and Leon (and of course The Union album).
There’s a really nice comment on a version of this somewhere where Elton worries that people think he wears the same thing all the time and he just says ‘no I have 14 of these tracksuits’
Thank you, HBO for making this wonderful combo of Leon Russell and Elton John fantastic thank you too great guys. Great musicians Leon does look likely.
Thanks so much for posting this - it’s such a great doc
Thank you for this. I saw Leon live in Los Angeles in about 1970 and was hooked. This is beautiful
Thank you so much! I've been waiting for someone to reupload this for at least 8-9 years.
Pure Gold, thank you for the upload.
Why doesn't HBO have this on their Docs list???? I'm so excited to find this. Leon and Elton, two soulful individuals. ❤
So much fun watching you boys make art. Love from Northern Michigan ❤️
Thank you for posting this!
As many great albums and artists, I warmed up to Union, and to Leon Russell very slowly... Via the Elton door as it were. I've gotten used to his voice, and find it amusing, and fitting for my favorites- among them Queen of the Roller Derby. I knew of him because of the three Carpenters songs he wrote- A Song For You, This Masquerade, and one other (can't think of it off hand).
Until Union, I'd never really heard him sing, except Tight Rope, which I didn't know was him. When way he sings Tight Rope, I can't help but think of Pete Puma with Buggs... "How many lumps you want Mac?"-"Better give me a whole lotta lumps"... Ha! Big Elton fan for like 50 years now... Thanks to Elton John, et al... Thank you.
Superstar…I love all of those songs with Karen’s voice.
Love eltons game face ! Fabulous duo.
Just found this - friggin awesome !!
Elton’s range here is fantastic. I’m wondering why he doesn’t sing with that range when he was on tour during the last 10 years.
As a die-hard fan of Elton John and slowly becoming one of Leon Russell's, i have to thank you from the bottom of my heart for uploading this. I've been looking for this documentary ever since i started listening to their Union album. It's fucking brilliant. 😍😃
Completely taken back to the pre-flash Elton, amazed he was so influenced by Leon Russell (and yet not, if you listen to them play). Session, the Ladies, Booker-T,a beautiful & mutual gift to us and between two of the greatest piano players in Rock & Roll. Everlasting Leon Love. ❤
Thank you so much
W O W !!!
hoda hoda Hoda Kotb. (stop the press) -He was damaged on his right half from birth, so therefore may have leaned on the left (my words not his). Many of the great composers were left handed. He said he invented things he could play. Wow. You know Joni Mitchell was partly disabled on her left because of polio from childhood, and invented tunings to accommodate that.
best lookin one is leon russell rocks
1:17:49 Michael Stipe!
Seems more about Elton? Stars…
I’m glad they did the later portion on Leon-such a history & talent
Elton's great at what he does but he doesn't have an ounce of Black in him compared to Leon. Hell I was the only White keyboard player in every Black Baptist Church in NE FLORIDA and I was a Celebrity. The White Gospel Ray Charles.
I guess Elton wasn’t jamming with black Americans like Leon did through his life.
Edit: but I get what you mean 🎼🤘🏻
You know we hear the Leon project on is 50/50. Then they tell him 2 songs to do. He makes not much comment…
Great show great artists
All I see and hear is Will Sasso 😂😂😂
Chris Montez? I thought it was Corey Haim... Who the f is Chris Montez....Never mind.