Elton John and Leon Russell collaboration first listen

Songs from the upcoming Leon Russell and Elton John collaboration 'The Union' have started hitting the web.

Two tracks, 'I Should Have Sent Roses' and and the first single 'If It Wasn't For The Bad' have been released online via the Elton John Corporation.

'The Union' was recorded live in the studio and covers multiple music genres like gospel, soul, country, pop and rock. It was produced by T-Bone Burnett.

The album marks a unique collaboration with the two musicians who met when Leon attended Elton's show at the Troubadour in Los Angeles in 1970. "In the late '60s and early '70s, the one piano player and vocalist who influenced me more than anybody else was Leon Russell," Elton said in a statement. "He was my idol."

The pair toured together soon after but then lost touch for decades. "Elton called to ask if I would do a duet album with him," Russell said. "I'm very happy that he chose me to do this."

The duelling piano players will perform together on November 3, 2010 at the Hollywood Palladium.

'The Union' album will be released on October 19.