Elton John "The Lockdown Sessions"

It’s been more than 35 years since Elton John recorded with Stevie Wonder and that’s clearly way, way too long. But the wait is over: The legends join on the new gospel-flavored song “Finish Line,” enlivened by Wonder’s trademark harmonica and John’s piano work. It’s a victory lap of a song.

It’s also a highlight of John’s 16-track album “The Lockdown Sessions,” which sees the Rocket Man outsmart the pandemic by working with an eclectic mix of artists, from Stevie Nicks to Lil Nas X. Not all of it works, but most of it does, and credit John for the supreme musicianship to bend to his guests’ strengths in music’s every genre.

John has a twang with Brandi Carlile on “Simple Things” — repeating a line about the finish line — and a foot-stomping, ‘70s rock groove with Eddie Vedder on “E-Ticket.” But John is a subdued presence on both Lil Nas X’s cut “One of Me” and a cover of Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters” with Miley Cyrus, who, turns out, slays at metal singing.

— The Associated Press