Album Review: Elton John, The Lockdown Sessions

When the dust settles on all the pandemic craziness, musicologists wading through the glut of lockdown albums, may very well want to seize upon Elton John’s latest not as an outstanding jewel, but as an important symbol of his gargantuan influence.

The Lockdown Sessions is a collaborative album that includes new material, previously released tracks and covers. All of which were recorded during the lockdown, encompassing all of the restrictions that entailed. Add to that a list of collaborators which is as epic as it is distinguished, and the spiderweb effect is magnified. The ‘Nothing Else Matters’ cover alone involves a child prodigy, a Chili Pepper, a superstar, a member of Metallica, a hot producer and a bona fide genius.

Most of the John confederacy pour generous dollops of Elton into the broth, while others use just a powerful sprinkling. Stevie Wonder and John playing piano and singing together on ‘Finish Line’, accompanied by a gospel choir, is mighty stuff. Damon Albarn and 6lack expertly shadow John’s vocal on ‘The Pink Phantom’.

The Surfaces’ soul-pop track ‘Learn To Fly’ and Lil Nas X’s ‘One Of Me’ find Elton in don’t-shoot-me-I’m-only-the-piano-player mode. ‘E-Ticket’, with Eddie Vedder, makes you wonder what a full album from the duo might sound like, while ‘Stolen Car’ with Stevie Nicks is a stirring duet.

Some may be reluctant to call The Lockdown Sessions an Elton John record proper, but one listen to Glen Campbell’s ‘I’m Not Gonna Miss You’ should put them right. This is Elton in vintage form.