The 64-year-old British singer belted out six songs, including several that appeared on the 2010 critically acclaimed album he collaborated on with fellow singer-songwriter Russell, at the opening of the 10th Tribeca Film Festival in New York that runs until May 1. The opening night documentary, also called “The Union,” by director Cameron Crowe, was shown to an audience of several thousand people in the downtown area of Manhattan where the film festival was founded in order to revive the area after the Sept. 11 2001 attacks. “He’s got the accolades that he deserves and I am so proud of him,” John told the crowd before playing two songs, including “Never Too Old (to Hold Somebody),” which he made with Russell, whose musical abilities as a composer and piano player inspired John before he became a hit-making world sensation. The film shows John and Russell reuniting after having not spoken in 38 years and gives a behind-the-scenes glance at the writing and recording of the collaboration between John, John’s lyricist Bernie Taupin and Russell for the album that was released last year and debuted at No. 3 in the Billboard 200.
