KEY POINTS:
Pop music's greatest living piano man is heading to Wellington next week for what might be his last New Zealand visit. With his 60th birthday looming next year, he's been talking of getting off the road after nearly 40 years of touring. Somewhere in the air across American before heading this way he had just a little time to answer a few questions by email ...
Your new album The Captain & The Kid as well as its immediate predecessors Peachtree Road and Songs from the West Coast mark what's generally been seen as a return to form. Do you see it that way and if so, what - or who - do you blame it on?
I am delighted by the critical acclaim that both albums have received. Peachtree was my first self-produced album and I think the move to go back to basics really paid off. I also think that Bernie Taupin is really at the top of his game and the lyrics he gave me were exceptional. They are both very personal albums for me.
But at the same time, many of those who turn out to see you aren't exactly rushing out to buy The Captain and the Kid. You reportedly blamed that on your record company recently. But is that the only reason? Haven't you made it a little hard for floating voters by creating a sequel to Captain Fantastic ... ? Who wants to go see part 2 of a movie they're not sure they ever saw part 1 of?
Of course I would have loved the critical acclaim to be followed with huge sales. I think the problem is more about the nature of the music business right now. It's difficult to get music apart from hit singles played on radio and TV channels these days. People like to hear tracks before they buy CDs, I think.
Describe Bernie Taupin in a sentence of 15 words or less.
My lyricist and the dirt brown cowboy
You're famous for giving sage advice and championing young stars. Whoever did that for you? Did you or would you have listened?
I got amazing advice when I was breaking out on the scene in the early 70s from total heroes of mine starting with Long John Baldry, Elton Dean, Aretha Franklin ... I always listen to people I admire!
And because it's that time of year, the best albums you heard in 2006 were (and why) ...
So many - Scissor Sisters, Ray LaMontagne amongst them. I love people who have really unique and fresh talent.
You're only playing in Wellington on your New Zealand visit. Should those of us in Auckland take it personally?
It's a long time since I have toured in Australasia. I really wanted to include New Zealand. There was the possibility of adding only one show, and that show was Wellington.
* Elton John, Westpac Stadium, Wellington, Wednesday December 6
