Elton and Leon Russell Album

THE NOT-SO-ODD COUPLE: The friendship between Elton John and Leon Russell goes back to Elton’s U.S. debut at the Troubadour in L.A. 40 years ago this August, with Russell himself in attendance. That night, Elton made it a point to express his musical debt to Leon, and has repaid the favor on the T Bone Burnett-produced The Union, which comes out on Decca Oct. 19, with the first single, “If It Wasn’t for Bad,” at radio now. To see a Cameron Crowe-directed clip on the making of the album, go here. (8/30p)