Absolute Radio is to host an Elton John night to mark the 40th anniversary of his seminal album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.
The night next Sunday (March 23) will include a documentary made and hosted by Colleen "Cosmo" Murphy, whose 20-year radio career started with her launching her own punk radio show as a 14-year-old at High School in the US while since then she has had programmes syndicated to 250 stations across the States.
Her salute Classic Album Sundays: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road will go out betweeen 8 and 9pm, utilising the Classic Album Sundays branding that stands as the leading outlet for hearing classic albums. At these sessions a featured album is played in full on vinyl, allowing the audience to have a new appreciation of the work.
The documentary will also be tied in with an extensive re-issued version of the album coming out from Universal. This will comprise CD, vinyl and a limited-edition yellow vinyl version as well as a boxed set featuring a recording of the concert Live At Hammersmith 1973, a film called Elton John and Bernie Taupin Say Goodbye to Norma Jean and Other Things and a 100-page book including rare photos, memorabilia and interviews.
The documentary, which has been made in association with Universal, will be followed by a first ever broadcast of the historic 1973 concert from Hammersmith.
Absolute Radio content dierctor Tony Moorey said: "This programme will offer an in-depth look at one of Britain’s most iconic and enduring artists. Colleen is a talented storyteller - this, combined with an exclusive, never broadcast before live material offers a unique collaboration between Classic Album Sundays, Absolute Radio and Universal Music.”
Presenter Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy said she had "lived and breathed" the album in making the documentary.
"Our modern lives mean it can be challenging to stop, and allow yourself to become completely absorbed in a record. This documentary will aim to immerse you completely into the making of this album and why it is still relevant today," she added.