The Legacy Continues...
My review of "Do You Believe in Angels?" by Elton John and Brandi Carlile
I’m not exactly sure when Elton John secured his legacy in American music history but I’m pretty sure it was with “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”. At least, I’m going to say that was the one because that’s the one I am most partial to – it’s the first album (well, cassette) that I ever listened to and the one that got me hooked on the music of Elton John.
I was born the same year that album was released, and some may call that coincidence, but I call it fate.
I’ve been a fan of Elton John since that day I first popped the cassette into my boom-box. A few years later, at the age of 19, I attended my first Elton John concert and the rest, as they say, is history. (If you aren’t familiar with my story, please click the link and read more)
When Elton John announced his Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour, I was so sad to know that the day would come where I wouldn’t be looking forward to the next tour. There would be no “next tour”, there would be no more traveling to concerts, there would be no more large-scale production concerts.
There would be no more touring, but there would be performing.
Elton was only retiring from touring, not from working.
If there’s anyone who LOVES their work, it’s Elton John.
It’s SO evident in his performances! Also, he turned 78 years old in March, 2025 and I don’t know about you, but I don’t know too many 78-year-olds who are working at the level that Elton John is working. He could have chosen to retire from touring and go live out the rest of his days at his home(s) but no, Elton continues to work and I for one am so happy he does!
Elton John is an EGOT – he’s won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony. He’s one of only 19 people to achieve this honor!
He’s sold over 300 Million albums worldwide and has had a musical career that not only spans decades, but generations.
Seemingly, he has nothing to prove.
And yet, with this album he’s proved one thing: he’s still got it.
That magic that happens when he sits at a piano and creates those melodies. He’s still got that rich, soulful voice and he’s still got that knack for making great albums! (With the collaboration on this one with Brandi, producer Andrew Watt, Bernie Taupin and others.)
I didn’t know much about Brandi Carlile except maybe hearing her songs on the radio from time to time. When it was announced she would be performing with Elton John at his final concert at Dodgers Stadium in November 2022 I did a little more research on her. Turns out, she and Elton have been good friends for many, many years with their families even vacationing together!
I’ll admit that Brandi’s genre of music isn’t exactly my favorite, but I set out to listen to some of her songs anyway, to get a feel for what she was like as a singer and she IS amazing!
My favorite song of hers is The Story –
“So many stories of where I’ve been
And how I got to where I am
But these stories don’t mean anything
When you’ve got no one to tell them to
It’s true, I was made for you“
This song resonated with me right away. I am a storyteller –
YOU are the ones who read/hear them.
I went to the Dodgers Stadium concert having decided that I liked her, and I was excited to hear her sing with Elton!
They sang a duet of “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” and let me tell you that it was AMAZING – I became an instant Brandi super fan hearing her sing LIVE because not only are her vocals amazing but the energy and spirit she brings to a live performance are awesome! I was lucky enough to be just a few standing rows back from the stage at this concert and I could see and feel the absolute JOY exuding from her as she sang with Elton. It was amazing to witness!
Note: If you haven’t watched this concert, its available on Disney+ and YouTube. Dodger Stadium, November 2022. If you look really close, you may see me in the crowd with my “62” concerts sign!
Since that concert, I have followed her on social media and gotten to know her as a person – well, as much as someone can through social media – and I know she is “good people”.
(If you haven’t watched the documentary called “The Return of Tanya Tucker”, I highly recommend it!)
Over the last few months, singles from the album have been dropped and there have been a lot of press events.
I deliberately put off reading or watching anything in its entirety (of course, I’ve seen snippets on social media) until AFTER I listened to the entire album.
There are 10 tracks on the album, 8 are duets with Elton and Brandi and then they each have one solo song.
As a whole, I LOVE it! And, I’m not just saying that because I’m a fan. It’s a really well-done album.
In one word, I’d describe it as SOULFUL.
I really like all the songs and people always ask me which ones are my favorite –
If I had to pick a favorite song, it would be “Never Too Late” because the piano intro got me hooked right away and the lyrics are so meaningful to me –
“It’s never too late for a wide-open slate…It’s not a moment too soon if it’s never too, never too late“
This song reminded me of one of my all-time favorite Elton songs, The Bridge. Similarly, I fell in love with that song in the first few notes of the piano intro. The lyrics of that song becoming a mantra for me as I pursued the dream to meet Elton.
“And every one of us has to face that day
Do you cross the bridge or do you fade away?
And every one of us that ever came to play
Has to cross the bridge or fade away
And the bridge, it shines
Oh, cold hard iron
Saying come and risk it all
Or die trying”
My second favorite song from the album is “Swing for the Fences” – It’s a catchy tune right off the bat (pun intended, ha-ha!) but again, the lyrics are what really got me –
It’s a long game and they’re gonna tell you it’s not
They’re high-five dodgers
And baby, they don’t deserve you
Beautiful you
They got nothing on you
Yeah, I’m talking to you
Get out of the blue
They got nothing on you
Go on and swing for the fences
What Does “Swing for the Fences” Mean? (Swing for the Fences: Definition, Meaning, and Origin) “Swing for the fences” signifies striving with utmost effort and ambition to attain a major success or goal, even at the risk of failure. Originating in baseball as a term for a batter aiming for a home run, it now also describes efforts to achieve significant success in other areas. In sports, business, or personal endeavors, “swinging for the fences” means taking daring risks and exerting full effort in hopes of securing exceptional outcomes.“
I was 19 years old the first time I had a “swing for the fences” dream – to meet Elton John. I didn’t know any better at that age. I wasn’t yet jaded by the world and I truly believed anything was possible. I spent 30 years – practically my entire adult life pursuing this dream, attending 62 concerts. It seemed every concert was a “swing for the fences” moment – travel, buy the ticket as close to the stage as possible, make a sign, tell everyone I met about my dream. In October and November of 2024, I traveled to NYC to see Tammy Faye on Broadway.
THAT was an adventure and the closest I’ve gotten to meeting Elton. 2025 marks year 33 of pursuing the dream – I’m just awaiting the next opportunity.
I’ve loved listening and watching Elton and Brandi perform together as they do press events for the promotion of the album. Elton’s voice sounds fantastic and the two of them together are brilliant!
I’ve loved watching interviews with them together – their love and mutual respect for each other is SO evident. I also love learning about the process behind how an album is made, the creative genius behind it! And of course, I love watching a performance – takes me back to concert days which I miss, terribly!
Interview with Stephen Colbert
An Evening with Elton John and Brandi Carlisle on CBS
If you are a fan of either Elton or Brandi, I think you will LOVE this album. I’m excited for new music from Elton but saddened that there’s not a tour associated with it. I can only hold out hope that maybe one day, he will do a short residency somewhere.
Or a one-off concert/event that I could attend.
In the meantime, I’m not giving up on the dream to meet him – as long as Elton John is alive, my dream is alive.
I’ll keep swinging for the fences at every opportunity and believe that it’s never too late.
Never Too Late documentary trailer (Disney+)
PS: I was reminded recently, that NEW people find and read the blog. I often forget that not everyone who knows me, knows my story. Often, when I write anything that includes Elton John, I write as if everyone knows the background story.
I’ve been pursuing the dream to meet Elton John for over 30 years. Details on” how it started, how’s it going” are on my website, www.melissaspage.com