Elton John Planning for New Album in September 2013

At the end of last week, Elton John revealed that he plans to put out the most “piano-oriented” album he has done so far in September 2013. The release, called The Diving Board, includes 13 tracks and was recorded in two sessions with lyricist Bernie Taupin.

Shortly after completing The Union, in which John worked with Jean Russell, he began collaborating with Taupin in January 2012. At the time, 11 songs were written over the course of three days and then recorded in four more days. The two returned to complete the project in January 2013. Talking about the release at Village Studios on February 22, the singer and piano player said he never took such an approach to recording before.

The Diving Board was produced by T Bone Burnett and brings together gospel, blues, jazz, brass band, and pop styles, with minimal accompaniment. John called the sound: "[E]verything I love about American music."

He went onto say: "This is the album I should be making after 'The Union.' It's my most adult album."

The tracklisting includes the following songs:

Oceans Away
Oscar Wilde Gets Out
A Town Called Jubilee
The Ballad of Blind Tom
My Quicksand
Can’t Stay Alone Tonight
Voyeur
Home Again
Take This Dirty Water
The New Fever Waltz
Mexican Vacation (Kids in the Candlelight)
Candlelit Bedroom
The Diving Board