United Kingdom, April 5 -- Sir Elton John was "not in good shape" while making 'Who Believes in Angels?'.

The 78-year-old music icon teamed up with Brandi Carlile to record their new album, but Elton has admitted to struggling with his health during the creative process.

The chart-topping star - who contracted a severe eye infection last year, which left him blind in his right eye and with "limited vision" in his left - said at a panel discussion in New York: "When you're in a studio and trying to come to grips with the fact that you want to make a great record, you can't always predict what's going to happen.

"We went in with no songs ... No plan. Just thought, 'This is the meeting of the minds and the talent. Let's get on with it.' B...