In 2009 Elton John calls his early-1970s mentor and tour mate Leon Russell and invites him to make a joint album. Early in 2010 the camera is in the studio as John coaxes a nearly-burned-out Russell recovering from brain surgery into composing playing and singing. Neil Young Brian Wilson and Booker T. Jones come in for a day or two recording tracks. T Bone Burnett produces. Archival footage shows the young rockers Crowe interviews his stars and there's a sound montage of hits on which Russell was a studio musician. By October 2010 the CD "The Union" is ready for release; there's a concert in Boston. Friendship gets an encore.