It’s been impossible to escape Brandi Carlile and Elton John. Not that anyone’s complaining.
The Maple Valley folk rocker and her longtime hero-pal have been all over the place in the past week, hitting the major network morning and late-night talk shows promoting their joint new album, “Who Believes in Angels?” which came out Friday. The all-out media blitz culminates this weekend with the all-star duo appearing on “Saturday Night Live” ahead of an hourlong concert special airing 8 p.m. Sunday on CBS/Paramount+.
Dubbed “An Evening with Elton John and Brandi Carlile,” the CBS special — a mix of live performances and storytelling — was filmed two weeks ago at the London Palladium.
As for last night’s “SNL” slot, John and Carlile came out blazing with throwback piano rocker “Little Richard’s Bible,” featuring John’s commanding lead vocals and a hammering piano solo that had a dapper Carlile giddily headbanging along. The two were accompanied by a stellar band that included super producer and certified guitar ringer Andrew Watt and Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, each of whom played on the album. Seattleites have gotten acquainted with Watt — who produced and co-wrote “Who Believes in Angels?” alongside John and Carlile — through his recent work with Eddie Vedder and Pearl Jam.
The band was fleshed out with core Carlile companions and songwriting partners Phil and Tim Hanseroth (who did not play on the record) and SistaStrings on backing vocals.
With their names “Elton” and “Brandi” in neon lights behind them, the crew sailed through the technicolor title track for their second performance of the night, with Carlile’s unwavering voice surfing over John’s supporting lower register and Watt’s arena-rock guitar licks.
Making her second appearance on “SNL,” not counting a recent concert special commemorating the show’s 50th season, Carlile found her way into a musical sketch in which host Jack Black played the regretful instigator of a ménage à trois. Carlile was called in as sort of a fourth-party council, dispensing some lesbian wisdom in song.
Watch the skit and both of Carlile and John’s performances below.
