ELTON JOHN’S FAMOUS YAMAHA PIANO INSPIRES NEW ALBUM

His famous piano has inspired a new double album ''The Piano Room'' by many of the world’s best-known and most iconic artists.

In November 2010, BBC Radio 2 received a remarkable and prestigious gift: a Yamaha DC7 grand piano owned by Sir Elton John.

The ‘Elton John Radio 2 Piano’ was personally delivered by Sir Elton to inspire new and established artists, to celebrate Elton's unique contribution to the UK radio industry and to thank Radio 2 for their support for over 40 years.

Since then, this famous piano has been used in many live BBC performances. Now, it has inspired a new double album, ‘The Piano Room’, which contains the best stripped-back songs, performed live, by many of the world’s best-known and most iconic artists.

Highlights – there are many – include the heartfelt ‘Let Her Down Easy’ by George Michael, ‘Stay with Me’ by Sam Smith, ‘Viva La Vida’ by Coldplay, ‘This Year’s Love’ by Ed Sheeran, ‘God Only Knows’ from Michael Buble, a powerful rendition of ‘Georgia On My Mind’ by Annie Lennox, ‘Lady Madonna’ by Paul McCartney, a soulful duet, ‘Waiting’ performed by Jamie Cullum and Norah Jones; and two equally soulful performances by Gregory Porter: ‘Fly Me to The Moon’ and ‘Just The Way You Are’. Sting performs the beautiful ‘Practical Arrangement’, alongside U2’s ‘Every Breaking Wave’ and Elbow’s ‘Lippy Kids’… the list goes on.

Ken Bruce, whose 9.30am – 12 noon weekday morning show has an audience of 8.3m listeners (RAJAR, Q2 2017), now hosts the Piano Room performances, which have recently featured live piano performances from Neil Sedaka, Elkie Brooks, Gregory Porter, Deacon Blue’s Ricky Ross and Abba’s Benny Andersson.

Ken said “It is a great honour to witness these wonderful artists performing live and uncut on Radio. There is an intimacy about a stripped-back performance: the artists here are – almost literally – playing in your living room.”

CD 1

  • Ed Sheeran - This Year's Love
  • Sam Smith - Stay With Me
  • George Michael - Let Her Down Easy
  • Michael Buble - God Only Knows
  • Coldplay - Viva La Vida
  • Keane - Somewhere Only We Know
  • U2 - Every Breaking Wave
  • Paul McCartney - Lady Madonna
  • Sting - Practical Arrangement
  • Annie Lennox - Georgia On My Mind
  • Gregory Porter - Fly Me To The Moon
  • Norah Jones & Jamie Cullum - Waiting
  • James Blunt - Goodbye My Lover
  • Rufus Wainwright - Hallelujah
  • Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott - Here I Go Again
  • Elkie Brooks - Make You Feel My Love
  • Rick Wakeman - Life On Mars

CD 2

  • Emeli Sande - Read All About It
  • Ellie Goulding - How Long Will I Love You
  • Gregory Porter - Just The Way You Are
  • The Shires - With or Without You
  • Snow Patrol - New York
  • Elbow - Lippy Kids
  • Birdy - Skinny Love
  • Clean Bandit - Symphony
  • Will Young - All Time Love
  • Mika - You've Got A Friend
  • Shane Filan - I Can't Make You Love Me
  • Oh Wonder - Only You
  • Paul Carrack - How Long
  • Neil Sedaka - Solitaire
  • Dr. John - Such A Night
  • Peter Bence - Here Comes The Sun
  • Jamie Cullum - Please Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood