Songs from the West Coast is the twenty-sixth studio album by Elton John, released in 2001. For this album, John once again collaborated with long-time lyricist Bernie Taupin, marking the first time the pair had written together in person. Patrick Leonard produced the album and played keyboards on several songs, as was the case for The Road to El Dorado soundtrack, released the year before. Drummer Nigel Olsson returned to the Elton John Band full-time and Tata Vega makes an early appearance as a backup vocalist, joining the band later. Stevie Wonder, who previously worked with John on the songs Read more on Last.fm.
A somewhat contemplative look at mortality, sex, fame and drugs from a dude that knows very well the importance of all four. This is Elton’s first 2000’s record and it sounds like 1978.