Elton John and Leon Russell - If It Wasn't For Bad (LIVE) - Beacon Theatre, NYC

[rob73041]

ty elton you help a great person and a friend and a brother

[captguybob]

THE HBO SPECIAL ON MAKING THIS CD IS AWESOME!!!

[willec49]

@captguybob I just saw the HBO special. It's a very beautiful film all the way around. The song Leon played where Elton was overcome and ran out of the room sobbing was one of the most beautiful and haunting things I've ever heard. Does anyone know which song that was? Thanks.

[msjenjenp]

If you love Leon, let's face it. Something about him just gets it and something about us just gets him. Whether he's playing for the concert for Bangladesh or just f''in around with his friends, young or old, blind, crippled or crazy, he touches your soul when he sings.

[judecreek2]

@msjenjenp Oh, perfectly said. I've always thought the same, you either "get" Leon or you don't. There's no in between. I've been lucky enough to get Leon from the first I heard and saw him when I was 14 and my brother took me to the concert "Mad Dogs and Englishmen." I have been in love ever since.

[willec49]

@msjenjenp Well put. You either "get" him or you don't. I agree that he touches your soul. Thanks for this post.

[58biggles]

I love this album and I love Leon Russell but watching this, he looks (and I know he is) very unwell and his voice sounds like shit. I know my comment will upset a lot of people but every pice of footage I have seen of the two together he looks and sounds like he is struggling to get through whereas elton just sounds great.



[judecreek2]

@58biggles I'm a diehard Leon fan since I was 14, and I'm now 55/ I've seen him in concert 48 times, and I agree with you that life hasn't been fair to him healthwise. But there are certain performers where it doesn't matter if they are in their prime or past it. They still command an audience's respect. Leon is one of them and always will be.

[ThePeachy2]

@judecreek2 I've seen Leon in concert many times from college day up to 10 years ago...I still love him and his music! He's amazing! xx

[kvo99]

Lyon Russel is so great! Just look at all of the hits on his youtube music! Move over Elton!

[guyareynolds]

First concert I saw, at age 15, was Leon Russell. I went to see him again a couple years ago and it was terribly depressing because he's in rally terrible shape physically. But this collab with Elton John seems to have been a shot in the arm. The whole record is just splendid.

[Kaijpiroska]

such a beautiful song!

[Cattus99]

Leon's voice still has that unique sound - it gives me the chills - its so great to hear.

[MrMagno1971]

que pija de abuelo

[mikesvideopromotions]

love these 2 together. i am even more a fan of elton now that he's honored my favorite in the whole world LEON.....!!!

[miguelmouta]

Playing with dandy john ??! ! My God, alcohol is melting Leon´s brain ! Someone must do something before too late. HELP LEON RUSSELL !

[greenlantern1957]

one of the best

[37valpal]

Two absolute wonders. Music at it's best past , present and future. We should all learn from our teachers. Love you both with all of my heart. It doesn't get any better.

[bullysmom74]

this man amazes me, he is 70 years old, and his voice is almost identical to when he was 20 something, he still sings with power and no cracks to his voice, long live Leon, til he is 100.

[philaustin1000]

@ Loshia2002

Couldnt agree more. Leon Russell is a star in every sense of the word!

[TheNannyx3]

THANKS

[fegrisch]

leon is awesome

[Reeseriver]

What a brilliant duet. So much talent and their voices harmonize so well. Is there a particular person this song is about?

[mightygoode]

I know exactly who they're singing about

[leslieannemorrell]

i know exactly what this song means!

[golactica]

thanks leon; for all you are and what you you have done to make us feel human again

[wdchefdave56]

"And his name shall be "LEVON"... Get it!?!

[debspeelman]

Another duo I thought I'd never see! Very cool indeed!

[scooterdogism]

Why can't the new generation--generate good tunes like us old folks?

[mokgab]

I must admit, I had to listen to this song several times before it "got into my mind", but since then, I can't stop listening to it... Truly a MASTER PIECE!!!!!

Thank you Elton and Leon!!!!

p.s.: the only difference between them is a T (elTon = leon + T) :))

[Suryavideo]

Leon performed at the Concert for Bangladesh that George Harrison organized. The man was up there with Eric Clapton and 2 Beatles

[DreamKing117]

@ChiroQuaker You are disgusting. Show some respect to these artists for God's sake. You are deplorable.

[Loshia2002]

Absolutely shameful the way Leon Russell's been so forgotten the way he's been for all these years....this is a brilliant talented man who is a living legend. Thank you Elton for showing the rest of us what a national treasure he is and bringing him back to right where he belongs.

[MJuliaLo]

@ChiroQuacker Yup,u're such an idiot.

[kidwest123]

I never really sat down and listen to an entire Elton John CD let alone Leon Russel, but last night I listen to the Union entirely, and the lyrics are amazing Leon's singing is so catchy, Elton's fantastic booming vocals through each song he sang in, absolutely amazing.

[Orpheus1969]

I am really glad to see, that Leon Russell (the best pianist ever played for Joe Cocker !) is back "in business".....

Nice....

[HighMindedLunacy]

...and who would ever have thought Leon would be doing the lounge lizard routine...let me go play his Jumpin' Jack Flash from teh Concert for Bangladesh and remember how good he WAS

[HighMindedLunacy]

Leon's voice used to be unique, I played his Carney LP until the grooves wore off when I was a teen..his voice just sounds like shit now, he needs to quit. Why don't these oldsters learn to quit while they still have a history of dignity we can reflect back on.

[RoadieBruceRobertson]

@HighMindedLunacy Having never heard of Leon (and I will be making it a point to listen to him more) I think this song is perfect. His age, and maybe even what it has done to his voice fits this tune perfectly. I put this album on and was surprised that I liked almost all the tracks on first listen. It feels like Elton straight from the seventies and I love it.

[RoadieBruceRobertson]

@HighMindedLunacy We all appreciate music differently, and for me his album was pure gold. You might see Leon as being past his prime, but I see it as "damn I wish I'd known of him sooner". IMHO, he sounds perfect for his age. It reminds me of J. Cash singing hurt. It just bleeds out soul. All the best.

[ca5t0xy]

I've been Elton's fans since his duet with Gaga in grammy last years, he's amazing!

[minimusic]

Is this lip-synced, or totally synced - pianos and all? I cannot see anyone playing the keyboard figure that is the signature hook of this song...

[blsims]

@minimusic

Skip to about 57 secs into it and see that the supporting keyboardist is playing the piano riffs.  Elton and Leon are playing rythym at that point.

[minimusic]

@blsims thanks for the explanation. I think that the fact that the sync is off is confusing the issue, although at .57 seconds the supporting keyboardist seems to be playing single notes while I am hearing two note harmonies.

I'm sure there is enough talent on that stage to play this, though - I was thinking they were syncing for technical reasons.

[bmiger]

Viva Leon!!!!

[IzzyElonCantu]

I FUCKIN MISSED LEON RUSSELL AT THE STATE FARM ARENA OR *DODGE ARENA*! DAMN IT!!!!!!

[submarinepainter]

I love it and long live Leon Russell

[judecreek2]

HAPPY GRAMMY NOMINATION LEON AND ELTON!!!!!

[RickTheRigged]

Elton John singing this song completely on his own, without Leon Russell, would be epic. Because unlike Leon, Elton still has a great voice and can actually sing.

And the discussion developing around here is ridiculous. I certainly CAN critisize professionals musicians without necessarily being a (successful) musician myself - after all, those musicians have made millions thanks to MY (and other fans') money, so eventually I can expect them to deliver high quality songs!

[judecreek2]

@RickTheRigged I agree with you that you certainly entitled to your opinion and to state it in any forum you choose. I don't agree with you about Leon, I love his voice as much now as when we were young.

[rios141622]

great lyrics

[DigitalGrotto]

0:48 It's funny to see all these seniors, as if it's a retirement home outing, watching them bob their heads, and knowing that they're all aged hippies and contemporaries of Leon Russell. lol.

[tehtapemonkey]

I don't care what other people think of it. I love The Union. That's enough for me.

[biensidhe]

It's Leon singing, and I understand that it's his composition, but to my ear it sounds like one of Elton John's contrived songs with the predictable melody and overly-produced arrangement, but a throwaway song by the master of space and time is still better than lots of what is being written and performed today. Just my opinion.

[korihk]

Poor Chiro

What an awful way of bringing attention to himself.

Goodness, the poor love seems very cross with us all.

Hurting people hurt people!

I'll pray for you mate!

Regards

Mark J HK

Mark HK

[paulamleuzemusic]

Magic...

[Russiansdoitbest]

why is it that everyone who listens to guys like these (real musicians) uses such big words and has such an extensive vocabulary? Yet Li'l Wayne listeners talk like idiots everywhere. Am I recognizing a pattern???

[heideh1]

@ChiroQuacker : You apparently didn't hear or read the lyrics... Oh I forgot you can't read nor understand the uniqueness in simplicity. Keep your head stuck in the musical cesspool where it belongs!!

[TheJammuffin]

leon Russell is epic beard man!!!

[mizofan]

Well, ChiroQuacker may not think much of this, but the album is #3 in the US. It should be #1, but anyway, a great comeback for both

[gsdsteve]

@ChiroQuaker Certainly not the best stuff that either one of them has done in the past, but what a breath of fresh air compared to the crap that 's called music today!

[VoiceofSoulmonkey]

Its easy to criticize like you do gavin from behind your computer screen.. What have you written and recorded lately? Are you even a musician? Do you know what it takes to record and compose songs like these? The complexities of these songs are so much further than no talent hacks like yourself can comprehend. If im wrong and your a musical prodigy let us all know and post us a link to your work. If im right please just go away back to your x box or whatever it is that you well..

[VoiceofSoulmonkey]

Its easy to criticize like you do gavin from behind your computer screen.. What have you written and recorded lately? Are you even a musician? Do you know what it takes to record and compose songs like these? The complexities of these songs are so much further than no talent hacks like yourself can comprehend. If im wrong and your a musical prodigy let us all know and post us a link to your work. If im right please just go away back to your x box or whatever it is that you well..

[CandyAppleBlueTV]

This is very Beatles sounding! I love it!

[joshkitchen90]

Can anyone tell me if Jim Keltner is touring with them, and is T Bone?

[cheekies99]

There aren't many artists in their 60s who are as good as they were in their "Purple period" but these guy made a fun and touching record... and are performing brilliantly with a top notch backup band... 'Madman Across The Water' 'is one of my favorite Elton albums... and that album had a huge list of backup players much like 'The Union' has. These two artists have given us enough great music... now it's really fun just to see two old friends having a wonderful time playing music together...

[NiaAmorr]

Had SUCCCHHH a Great Timee At this concerttt!!

[MissManxy]

Mike, thanks for posting this. I watched it yesterday morning but was too mesmerized by their performance to record it. Leon was, and will always be the greatest.

[lyndapatches]

Leon Russell is great. He should stay forever young!!

[tank3ful]

The one thing I can't stand is when people go on this forum and insult these artist's with abrasive arrogant BS! By The way, to those who insist on insulting these two rock icons, I say "What The Hell Have You ever Done Musically"? I'll tell you exactly what..... NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[princev11]

guys there definately tired from yesterday night, i can hear it in leons voice cus they did a 3 hr show yesterday that ended at 11 and now there playing again only 9 hrs later; give them a break. they are in their mid 60's and just incredible!

[5746874m]

@ChiroQuaker Maybe this is not most amazing piece they have ever done and a relatively simple minor blues piece, but - what the f&^k have you done this year worth listening to? NOTHING. Let alone any legacy of music that anyone would want to waste 4 minutes of their life on. You're an idiot . . end of story.

[ChiroQuacker]

@5746874m

your argument is dumb...the yankees lost last night..they sucked...now..i cant play baseball like a major leaguer...but that doesnt change the fact that the yankees sucked last night...

as did leon and elton...two old farts who cant right great songs anymore like they once did...this song sucks balls...

3 boring chords over and over and zero..i mean ..no melody

i can right the crap..and i wouldnt pay for it if i wrote it...dumb stooge u are

[5746874m]

@ChiroQuacker Yeah but you can't seem to write a sentence without using an elipse.

LOL Your argument is ridiculous.

[5746874m]

@ChiroQuacker No I'm still here. And your arrogance is still showing. Who can even tell what the audience is doing anyway? The worst thing about this performance are the BU singers. OMG Vibrato you could drive a truck through.

[GavinLiamLogan]

@ChiroQuacker You're an idiot.

[ChiroQuacker]

@GavinLiamLogan

trust me...if these were the songs that leon and elton put out back in the early 70's....they would have never made it..just like most bands/acts that failed when they put out crummy records that did not connect with audiences....

when u listen to the new cd you ope to hear a "song for you" or a "sorry seems to be the hardest word"...but you dont hear that..you hear crappy three chord boring songs that any bonehead could have written...

these new songs will be forgotten

[GavinLiamLogan]

@ChiroQuacker The whole idea is that they young men. If any man in his early 20s or 30s wrote and sang "You're Never Too Old To Hold Somebody", it would sound totally phony and contrived. these are two men in the mid to late 60s, singing with world-weary wisdom about the necessity of true companionship. Both men have come together to tell mature, sombre, yet somehow blissfully beautiful stories in song.

The album is a treasure, and the songs are gorgeous testimonies to survival!!!

[ChiroQuacker]

@GavinLiamLogan

this song is three chords over and over with no melody...

i could write this garbage...and it is forgettable...

but no way could i ever write what elton and leon wrote in their 20's....no way...

they are like paul simon and mccartney etc..who dont know how to write great songs anymore...james taylor cant write great songs anymore...none of these old farts can...

this shit amounts to a hand out for leon russell...thats cool

its ok....i understand..but it is a fact...you

[VoiceofSoulmonkey]

@ChiroQuacker

Its easy to criticize like you do gavin from behind your computer screen.. What have you written and recorded lately? Are you even a musician? Do you know what it takes to record and compose songs like these? The complexities of these songs are so much further than no talent hacks like yourself can comprehend. If im wrong and your a musical prodigy let us all know and post us a link to your work. If im right please just go away back to your x box or whatever it is that you well..

[ChiroQuacker]

@VoiceofSoulmonkey

THESE SONGS ARE NOT COMPLEX U FRIGGIN BONEHEAD....

these new tracks are amature compared to their previous work from the early 70's...

elton can right this crap in 5 minutes...

you are typical of boneheads today who tell me lil wayne and jay z are geniuses....

hahaha....

this three chord shitty repetitive song with no original melody sucks..it is not clever...it is forgettable tripe...

thats the truth..sorry you like to lie to yourself....

[VoiceofSoulmonkey]

@ChiroQuacker

Like i said to the last crap talkin no talent big mouth... Why dont you post us a link to some of your work? Im sure the world would love a sample of your talent... If it actually goes beyond criticizing the talent of others..

[GavinLiamLogan]

@VoiceofSoulmonkey Am I the "Crap talking no talent" to which you are referring? Because if so, I would like to point out I was defending this album. I think it's a brilliant piece of work!

[VoiceofSoulmonkey]

@GavinLiamLogan

No...All apologies whole heartedly... Its what i get for trying to read without my contacts in... I am sorry...

[VoiceofSoulmonkey]

@ChiroQuacker

We can however agree on one thing... lil wayne and jay z are musically retarded... the opposite end of the spectrum from genius... Rap music will turn you into a friggin retard!

[Tashmusicdotnet]

@ChiroQuacker - Does a song have to be complex to be memorable? I can think of several songs, old songs that are "three chord shitty repetitive" as you so eloquently put it, that are not only memorable (to millions) but continue to draw new audiences and revenue each day. I like this song, not only did I remember it, but I think it's plenty clever and soulful. But I suppose I'm just another self deceiving bone head, right?

[ChiroQuacker]

@Tashmusicdotnet

well...if there have been memorable three chord songs...then this..is not one of them...

this is garbage....enjoy it if u like..i could give a fuck what u like or dont..who cares about you...

i am happy leon made a few bucks here and elton gets to get a hardon cause he has a cd thats charting well..

good for the two of them...i love these guys...

BUT..this cd and these songs suck balls...the cd makes a good coaster for your beverages though...

[judecreek2]

@ChiroQuacker And yet you come back to this video daily.

[WickedQueen314]

@ChiroQuacker until you have a 40 year musical legacy then SHUT THE FUCK UP with the criticism

[judecreek2]

@ChiroQuacker I usually stay out of other people's arguments, but not this time. You, sir, are a first class moron. A gay-bashing, crude, disgusting troll with nothing better to do than start shit on the internet. There is no reason to insult Elton, insult Leon and insult us, their fans. Getting enjoyment out of hurtful, mean-spirited, and wrong comments is pitiful. Go away. Go far, far away and stay there.

[ChiroQuacker]

@judecreek2

i am not arguing..i am making a valid observation...

not one of the songs on this boring new cd would ever have made it onto any of the brilliant albums elton and leon made in their prime....

and thats a fact...not arguing....

i love elton...i have seen him in concert 16 times over the years...the '75 "concord" tour was the best...

but elton can drink tap water...you homos stick your faces into an area where i shit out of...so no need for you fruitbaskets to drink bottled H2O

[judecreek2]

@ChiroQuacker Saying the same thing over and over is a sign of a limited intelligence. You qualify. I don't know nor do I care what your obsession is about water and homosexuality. As a straight woman I don't understand why small minded men like you are so threatened by gay men. As far as the music is concerned, there are songs on this CD that would have worked for either of them in their "prime." But 40 years changes their style. So accept the changes or don't listen. It's that simple.

[ChiroQuacker]

@judecreek2

you sound like a real pain in the ass who cant hold onto a man...they must run from the hills from you....you probably live in small apartment that smells from cats....

i stay away from old losers like you...you take prescription meds to sleep, to relax, for anxiety and i can see it on your dried up prune face and your split ended hair...

typical neurotic woman...you should have listened to your mom and become a teacher and find a husband and have kids..too late for that u prune

[judecreek2]

@ChiroQuacker You could not possibly be more wrong. Let's see, I've got a man, live in a house, no cat, no medication, have children and no split ends. You're as right about me as you are about everything else. Anyway, I'm done with you. You no longer deserve my time.

[ChiroQuacker]

@judecreek2

your hubby surfs the net looking at naked hot women...the few times a month u two do the wild thing..your hubby is thinking about other women not you...in order to maintain a boner...he thinks of salma hayek, natalie portman, katy perry...you know...good looking hot young women who aint menapausing like u...

so take your liver spots, your crows feet , your cellulite and your wrinkles... and go away you old buzzard....

[b8d1da]

@ChiroQuacker I read all your comments... man, you made my week... I laughed so hard I was crying!

You should do stand up. Cheers mate!

[seehound619]

@b8d1da yeah.... he was so great he got his account suspended......lol...and rightfully so...now he is doing stand up..... in the unemployment line. LOL

[ChiroQuacker]

@seehound619

why suspend my account? for saying the truth?

these songs suck balls and any shmuck could have written this crap me included...

elton and leon wrote great songs...40 years ago...this new stuff sucks it is a bore three chords with zero i mean zero melody...

elton-leon cant write great songs anymore just as mccartney and paul simon cant either..stevie wonder neither...

my account is just fine my ignorant nigga.

it took elton 5 minutes to write this drivel..he knows it blows

[seehound619]

@ChiroQuacker to criticize the music is one thing.... but to slang insults about how old they are and liver spots??? cmon... REALLY??? and u call ME ignorant??? yeah..... I wish u luck on your great journey of growing up.

[ChiroQuacker]

@seehound619

oh lighten up u douche bag...bet elton would have laffed at that line...trust me..he has a pretty sharp tongue on him..well you would know all about that huh fruitee pebbles...

anyone who plays piano etc...anyone who has studied and or appreciates the great songwriters...hears this song..and pukes...

it is crap...i love elton..but if he puts out crap i say it...

you are typical of most humans these days....like with politics..if their party screws them over its acceptable..

[ktorca]

@ChiroQuacker what is laughable is that you are sitting at your little monitor, typing away saying ridiculous things.......while they are entertaining and making far more than millions.

So when is your single one hit wonder coming out?

[ktorca]

@ChiroQuacker what is laughable is that you are sitting at your little monitor, typing away saying ridiculous things......

So when is your single one hit wonder coming out? When it hits platinum then you will have something credible to read ...

[ChiroQuacker]

@ktorca

that argument makes no sense...with that type of boneheaded logic..that would put every music critic out of work...none of them have written any hits either...

i bought this cd..and i am using it as a coaster for my beverages....as for listening to this drivel...no thanks...but i am happy to have given a few bucks in charity to leon "my colostumy bag is full" russell and elton "i have stretch marks on my rectum" john.

[judecreek2]

@ChiroQuacker Congratulations on earning your Master's Degree in Asshole-ology! Graduated top of your class. Your mom must be so proud of you.

[ChiroQuacker]

@judecreek2

my mom is proud of me..as for your mom..she has stretch marks around her mouth...shes an old mattress too...eat my nigga!

[primerib68]

@ChiroQuacker YOU......should have your ears cut off!!!!! You are a complete and utter idiot!!!!

This song is one of the best works of art in the past 30 years! Between Leon & Elton, there's almost 100 years of MUSIC! What have you done with your life, PUKEBAG?!?!?!?!

[MegaPokerMon]

@ktorca you didnt hear about his upcoming album: "When Trolls Spew Shit Out of Their Mouths" featuring Chiro Quacker

[oldredun]

@judecreek2 . . . hey Jude, well said, I realise my response to Chiro Quack is no better, however, the world would be best served by his instant extinction and all his homophobic, no talent bum, moronic mates of his ilk, troll or not, WE are over you and your poisonous bile, you are an utter cock and a quack in the non-duck sense of the word . . . . now, in the words of Mr Russell, one, two, three, four !!! Back to their music !!!! 

[GavinLiamLogan]

@VoiceofSoulmonkey I was defending this album wholeheartedly. I think it is completely brilliant, and I was arguing against ChiroQuacker.

I DID have a typo... I meant to say that the point of the album is that they're NOT young men anymore, and it would sound silly for them to try to sound that way. I think that this is an incredible album, simply stunning, showing off both men's virtuosity and wisdom.

I think you misread my comments... or I misread yours...

[eject66060]

@GavinLiamLogan You beat me to it. I was just going to post the same thing.

[TheRichard21278]

@5746874m You are a hater.Go back to your cheap beer and bologna sandwich

[ChiroQuacker]

the audience...the average age looks like its...."deceased"...

time to retire these old farts...and this song sucks balls...compare this shit to the once great songs these two farts wrote...this shitty song would never had made it on to any of their great albums from 40 years ago...

these two are living off what they wrote 40 years ago...

this song has no melody..no interesting chords...just the same three shitty boring chords over and over...

real crap...end of story

[mizofan]

@ChiroQuacker Nonsense! Go and tell that to Rolling Stone who've rightly given the album 5 stars.

[ChiroQuacker]

@mizofan

hahaha rolling stone tells me lil wayne, biggie and tu pac are genuis's and eminem is the bob dylan of his generation...

so you know what i think of rolling stones opinions...puhlease

[mizofan]

@ChiroQuacker Loads of critics have been praising this album, not just Rolling Stone.

[kelloggj1]

I WAS THERE , I AGREE THE AUDIENCE WAS DEAD,, BUT DISAGREE ABOUT THE NEW ALBUM IT WAS BETTER LIVE THE SHOW WAS AWESOME..IVE SEEN THEM BOTH BEFORE

[ChiroQuacker]

@kelloggj1

the audience did suck..thank you for agreeing with me...bunch of old farts who looked like they won the tickets on a game show...

the new album sucks balls..forgettable tripe...disposable junk they wrote in an hour....

it did sound better live...more energy then on that dirge of a cd....

[mizofan]

@ChiroQuacker If they're both living off what they wrote 40 years ago, what the hell is this new album, with new songs then? It's tiresome how so many idiots have nothing better to do with their lives than trawl round youtube dropping insults to cause annoyance

[ChiroQuacker]

@mizofan

hey mega douche..i made a legit observation..this song sucks...elton can right this crap in his sleep and he knows it..and it sounds it...

i hate three chord boring progressions with no melody...

thats what this song is as is the entire album....

what we loved about leon and eltons best songs are the unique chord they would throw in here and there and the original melody ...

but this song has no melody and its the same three chords over and over..

for stooges like u this is great

[Velochecab]

@ChiroQuacker Well, your entitled to your own perspective. It's true what they say though, opinions are like A**HOLES, we all have one!

[SaturnTrack]

@ChiroQuacker Idiot. You think there's anything better that's being produced in music nowadays? This is great.

[MuzikLady22]

I was fortunate to see them perform live at the Beacon last night. Fabulous concert!!