Elton John was joined by Plan B at the Radio 2 Electric Proms in London tonight (October 28) for a rendition of the singer’s classic hit ‘I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues’.
The rapper, who was dressed in a grey suit, sang vocals on the 1983 track while John played the piano in front of a six-piece band, a brass section and four backing singers at the Camden Roundhouse.
Introducing Plan B, the singer said: “When I was asked to do this programme I got to choose two guests. My first is from my favourite album of the year, ‘The Defamation Of Strickland Banks’. Ladies and gentlemen, Plan B.”
John then took a back seat as he brought veteran singer-songwriter Leon Russell onstage for a series of songs including Russell‘s 1972 b-side ‘Masquerade’ which saw newcomer Rumer step up on vocals.
John then returned to perform with Russell for the entirety of their collaboration album ‘The Union’, which was released this week, to an audience which included West Ham United boss Avram Grant, Fun Lovin’ Criminals frontman Huey Morgan, Lemar, David Walliams, Sam Taylor-Wood, who directed the 2009 John Lennon film Nowhere Boy, and TV presenter Floella Benjamin.
Wrapping the album up with the Russell-penned ‘In the Hands of Angels’, John described the track as “one of the nicest things that has ever happened in my life” before allowing the veteran singer to perform the track on piano.
Russell again played a few of his own songs before John rounded off his set with some of his own songs including 1974 single ‘The Bitch Is Back’.
Elton John played:
‘Burn Down The Mission’
‘Levon’
‘Tiny Dancer’
‘Ballad Of A Well Known Gun’
‘I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues’
‘Delta Lady’
‘A Song For You’
‘Masquerade’
‘If It Wasn’t For Bad’
‘Eight Hundred Dollar Shoes’
‘Hey Ahab’
‘Gone To Shiloh’
‘Jimmy Rogers Dream’
‘There’s No Tomorrow’
‘Monkey Suit’
‘The Best Part Of The Day’
‘Dream Come True’
‘I Should Have Sent Roses’
‘When Love Is Dying’
‘Hearts Have Turned To Stone’
‘Never Too Old To Hold Somebody’
‘In The Hands Of Angels’
‘Tightrope’
‘Prince Of Peace/Out In The Woods’
‘Roll In My Sweet Baby’s Arms’
‘Stranger In A Strange Land’
‘Your Song’
‘Take Me To The Pilot’
‘Sad Songs (Say So Much)’
‘The Bitch Is Back’
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