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From its cover to its overall mood  Who Believes in Angels  looks and feels more like a classic Elton John album from the 70s than one from Brandi Carlile. You're in for a surprise if you expect this ten-song set to sound like her breakthrough record,  The Story , or any other music she's made. Even so, don't be deceived. This isn't an Elton John release featuring guest star Brandi Carlile. It's a true collaboration from two artists who truly admire each other and love working together. At no point does the rock icon - age 77 - try to upstage or condescend to his much younger friend (43). She often overpowers his voice on the duets and takes the lead on many others. Carlile has always been considered an Americana artist, but she has rocked hard in the past and does so here. At the same time John hasn't sounded this interested since his chart-topping days. Who Believes in Angels is much closer to Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and Capta...

Believe it or not "Tiny Dancer" is another out-of-this-world, classic rock single that never broke into the top twenty in America even though it's one of Elton John's greatest songs. It never got higher than #41 on Billboard's Hot 100 in 1972, but it's a highlight of the 1971 Madman Across The Water LP. It fared better in Canada (#19) and Australia (#13). It was never released on a 45 RPM record in England. "Tiny Dancer's" length contributed to its less than stellar chart position. At 6:12, it initially had trouble receiving airplay and took several years to become the classic it is today. The truncated single, at 3:45, just didn't have the same impact as the full album cut. Also, there were radio stations that banned it because of the line "Jesus Freaks, Out in the streets."  Despite its modest run on the pop chart, by 2018 "Tiny Dancer" was certified platinum three times over by the Recording Industry Association of Ame...

Even though I'm a huge fan of The Beatles I didn't post a tribute for John Lennon’s seventieth birthday because I wanted to do something a little different. That is why Dr. Winston O’ Boogie is this month’s featured artist on Forgotten Music Thursday . Much has been made of November 28, 1974, the night John Lennon reconciled with Yoko Ono backstage at an Elton John concert after his infamous 15 month "lost weekend." There he began his legendary, six-year journey to find peace as a husband, a father, and a reasonable facsimile of a normal home life. Musically, the evening is also remembered as Lennon's last live performance. The legendary rocker appeared on stage near the end of John's concert and the two great friends sang three songs together. While it has been well documented that the holiday gig was a significant event that changed Lennon's life forever the music he made that day has often been overlooked. If you were lucky enough to be at Ma...