In a recent interview with Pete Townshend, a longtime friend of Elton John, it was revealed that Elton and Brandi Carlile have reportedly collaborated on a new album. The interview, published by Clashmusic last month, discussed Elton’s plans now that he has retired from touring. Townshend mentioned that Elton had traveled to Los Angeles to work on an album with Brandi Carlile, stating that they completed the album in just two weeks and described it as one of the best things they have ever done.
Elton himself hinted at a new album while inducting his songwriting partner Bernie Taupin into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in November. He mentioned that they had recently finished an album that would surprise people.
Representatives for Elton and Carlile did not respond to Variety’s requests for comment but did not deny the report either. Townshend did not specify Carlile’s role in the collaboration, leaving open the possibility that it could be a joint album as artists. However, it is also possible that she took on the role of producer. Carlile has been increasingly involved in production work and has received recognition for her work on albums by Tanya Tucker, Brandy Clark, Lucius, the Secret Sisters, Tish Melton, and Joni Mitchell.
While unexpected, an album from Elton and Carlile would not come as a complete surprise. The two musicians have been friends and have performed together on several occasions in recent years. They performed “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” at Elton’s final North American concert in 2021, collaborated on Elton’s “Lockdown Sessions” album, and Carlile has covered Elton’s songs in tribute performances. In her upcoming autobiography, Carlile even mentions that her first public performance was singing Elton’s hit “Honky Cat” at a talent show. The two also participated in a joint interview for Pitchfork in 2021, where they discussed their influences.
Elton has been a serial collaborator over the course of his entire career, with literally hundreds of duets on record, at concerts and awards shows. His two most recent hits were collaborations with younger artists on his classic songs, most notably “Cold Heart” with Dua Lipa — as detailed in Variety‘s 2021 Hitmakers cover story — and “Tiny Dancer” with Britney Spears.
In the Clashmusic interview, Townshend spoke at length about his close friendship with Elton. “He appears on Facetime every other morning… often when I’m in bed! ‘Hello it’s Elton!’” he laughed. “He’s great company. And he’s very smart. But he’s also a wonderful musicologist, you really keep some with what’s new. See, when he attaches onto somebody, he’s sincere about it, I still find myself pretending to like people that I’m not sure that I like because they appear to be unbelievably cool.”
Of their friendship, Carlile told People in 2021, “I [have] so much intense admiration for Elton John. I think we find ourselves in a position of being soulmates. Our friendship is an amazing one.”
