Elton John's new
album to debut September 19

Elton John has set a September 19 release date for his new studio album, The Captain and the Kid.

The Rocket/Island set is a sequel to the artist's 1975 album Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy. First single "The Bridge" will be available August 22 from Apple's iTunes Music Store.

"It was [Sanctuary Group CEO Merck Mercuriadis's] idea, because he said, 'You're always saying how [songwriting partner] Bernie [Taupin] has become the Brown Dirt Cowboy'--he lives on a ranch in Santa Ynez [Calif.]--and I'm this guy who plays concert after concert, buying art, buying photographs, living a very lavish lifestyle," John told Billboard. "I've become Captain Fantastic."

John will premiere the material at an intimate September 6 show at Frederick P. Rose Hall in New York City. Members of John's Rocket Club have first crack at tickets starting Friday, August 11, via www.eltonjohn.com.

The artist will kick off a North American tour in support of The Captain and the Kid on September 15 in Sacramento, Calif.

Here is the track list for The Captain and the Kid:

"Postcards From Richard Nixon"

"Just Like Noah's Ark"

"Wouldn't Have You Any Other Way (NYC)"

"Tinderbox"

"...And The House Fell Down"

"Blues Never Fade Away"

"The Bridge"

"I Must Have Lost It on the Wind"

"Old '67"

"The Captain and the Kid"

(Reuters)