The Goes Twang series is back with a tribute to the one and only Elton John. Though Elton has gained a bit of a reputation in recent years for being…uncool, there was a time when The Who, Aretha Franklin and Tina Turner were paying homage to him….and he, in return, was writing songs inspired by The Band (his tune “Levon” was named after Levon Helm) and doing covers of Nick Drake. He also put out a handful of records in the early 70s that contain some of the best Americana of the decade (check out Tumbleweed Connection and Madman Across The Water). Check out the tracklisting and the mixtape after the jump. And just for kicks (don’t worry, it’s not on the mixtape), please enjoy this video of William Shatner ‘performing’ “Rocket Man”.

William Shatner- Rocket Man

Elton John Goes Twang:

1. Rod Stewart- Country Comfort
2. Pollution- Ballad of a Well-Known Gun
3. Tina Turner and Ike- Philadelphia Freedom
4. Bettye Lavette & Drive-By Truckers- Talking Old Soldiers
5. Aretha Franklin- Border Song (Holy Moses)
6. The Who- Saturday Night Alight
7. Ryan Adams- Tiny Dancer
8. My Morning Jacket- Rocket Man
9. Jeff Buckley- We All Fall In Love Sometimes/ Curtains
10. Tortoise & Bonnie “Prince” Billy- Daniel
Bonus Track: Spooky Tooth- Son Of Your Father

Elton John, Lana Hamilton, wife of actor George Hamilton and Rod Stewart arrive at New York’s Studio 54 on July 11, 1978

Tina Turner, Elton John, Ann Margret, John Entwistle, Keith Moon & Pete Townshend, NYC, 1975

Elton John and John Lennon

Elton John and John Lennon