Leon Russell - Selftitled (1970)

(U.S 1956 - 2016)

The songs on this LP include Leon Russell's own version of "Delta Lady" and his standard-to-be "A Song for You" (which Elton John used to sing in concert, along with his and Bernie Taupin's similarly-sentimental "Your Song"), "Hummingbird", which became a hit for bluesman B.B King, and a collection of other, often-rocking Russell originals. "Shoot-Out on the Plantation", incidentally, is said to be a thinly-veiled true story dealing with an altercation among some of Russell's friends.

Early pressings (Not mine I'm afraid) included a version of Bob Dylan's "Master of War" sung to the tune of "The Star-Spangled Banner". That particular track - "Old Masters" - was withdrawn after the first small pressing. It is now restored to this posting of the album for your pleasure.

Strangely, "Leon Russell" wasn't Russell's best selling album, but it's certainly on of his best. Moreover, it paved the way for future accomplishments including Russell's involvement with - and show stopping set on - George Harrison's 'Concert for Bangla Desh', studio collaborations with performers including Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson, and a career that continued to include touring and recording with contemporary bluegrass band The Newgrass Revival.

There may not be as versatile or accomplished musician in all rock 'n' roll, as Leon Russell. And the LP 'Leon Russell' is a fine introduction to the man and his music. [CD Liner notes by Todd Everett]

Shelter Records Promo

The Story behind “A Song For You” by Leon Russell 

(by Nancy Ruth)

Leon Russell’s melancholy ballad, “Song for You,” is a well-known classic. This poignant composition, the first track on his self-titled debut album, recorded at Sunset Sound in LA in early 1970, continues to connect with people of all ages. The haunting melody and soulful lyrics capture love’s complexity, desire, and fragility. These genuine, emotion-filled phrases convey a love that transcends the limits of time and place.

It’s widely believed that Rita Coolidge was the inspiration for “A Song for You.” Russell’s emotive performance and the song’s lyrics express his love for Coolidge, with whom he was estranged. Their tumultuous relationship provided ample material for Russell to draw upon when crafting this emotional ballad. Earlier, Russell wrote “Delta Lady” for Rita during their courtship.

Leon denied it was Coolidge: “I wrote it for somebody I had an argument with…the person was very instrumental in teaching me about songwriting and writing in general.” Some think it was the singer-songwriter Greg Dempsey, who was included in the dedication of the 1970 album Leon Russell, in which “A Song For You” premiered, and who co-wrote “Prince of Peace” and later, “Roll Away the Stone.” Ultimately, the person has never been verified.

Russell said he composed “A Song for You” in 10 minutes and imagined it as a standard to be performed by Frank Sinatra or Peggy Lee. It is not surprising that it has been covered by over 200 artists, including Andy Williams, Donny Hathaway, Karen Carpenter, Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, Willie Nelson, Helen Reddy, Whitney Houston, Neil Diamond, Peggy Lee, Cher, Joe Cocker, Michael Bublé, Herbie Hancock with Christina Aguilera, Sam Harris, Amy Winehouse, and more. Ray Charles received the 1993 Grammy for Best Male R&B Performance with “A Song For You.” Tedeschi Trucks included it in their sets. Bizzy Bone’s rap version made the Billboard Hip-Hop charts in 2008.

Russell bares his soul in “A Song For You,” revealing the depths of his feelings. The beautiful music and sincere words express a love that transcends the boundaries of time and space, thus earning him the title of “Master of Space and Time.” Whether Coolidge, Dempsey or another muse inspired this song, and the passion is obvious in every note.

“A Song For You” is still being recorded by other artists today, more than 50 years after it was written, demonstrating its long-lasting appeal. In 2018, “A Song For You” was belatedly added to the Grammy Hall of Fame [Thanks to Nancy Ruth at The Church Studio, March 8, 2024].

This post consists of FLACs ripped from my vinyl and includes all artwork for both vinyl and CD releases.  As a bonus, I am including the missing track "Old Masters (Masters of War)" that originally appeared on the LP's first pressing and was sub sequentially removed by Shelter Records. I'm unsure why this was done, but I suspect it may have been in response to the political unrest surrounding the Vietnam War at that time.

Track Listing:

01 - Song For You 4:08

02 - Dixie Lullaby 2:30

03 - I Put A Spell On You 4:10

04 - Shoot Out On The Plantation 3:10

05 - Hummingbird 3:57

06 - Delta Lady 4:00

07 - Prince Of Peace 3:05

08 - Give Peace A Chance 2:15

09 - Hurtsome Body 3:35

10 - Pisces Apple Lady 2:50

11 - Roll Away The Stone 3:06

12 - BONUS: Old Masters (Masters Of War)   1:20

Leon Russell Link (252Mb) New Link 12/07/2024

Leon Russell - Carney (1972) + Bonus Tracks

(U.S 1956 - 2016)

With his trademark top hat, hair well past his shoulders, a long, lush beard, an Oklahoma drawl and his fingers splashing two-fisted barrelhouse piano chords, future Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Leon Russell cut a flamboyant figure in the early 1970s. He recorded his first hit single "Tight Rope" with the release of his third, and most successful album Carney, in 1972, which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 200.

Two years earlier Russell had already played on hundreds of songs as one of the top studio musicians in Los Angeles. The Oklahoma-born pianist, guitarist, songwriter and bandleader led Joe Cocker's band Mad Dogs & Englishmen, appeared at George Harrison's 1971 Concert for Bangladesh in New York City, and composed numerous hits of his own. He was in Phil Spector's Wall of Sound Orchestra, and played sessions for Frank Sinatra, Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin, the Ventures and the Monkees, among many others.

But it was the top-rated Carney that put Russell into the league of extraordinary musicians. Soulful roots-rock yields to dizzying psychedelia on this, Russell's most famous album. His all-time biggest hit, "Tight Rope," leads to "Out in the Woods," "Cajun Love Song," "Roller Derby" and more!

The album did not disappoint Russell's followers, the original slate of songs displaying Russell’s trademark quirkiness and musically adventuresome spirit. Nowhere is Russell’s free spirit more apparent than on the delightful “Tight Rope”, the album’s hit single and an unlikely radio hit that featured syncopated rhythms, staggered vocals, and a minimalist soundtrack on what is a metaphor for life lived in the spotlight. 

“Out In the Woods” offers up a swamp-blues vibe with double-tracked Russell vocals (effectively singing parallel to himself) and an overall rootsy vibe while “Cajun Love Song” moves out of the bayou and onto Bourbon Street with an infectious melody and mesmerizing vocal patois. “Roller Derby” (or sometimes labelled as Queen Of The Roller Derby) offers a similar up-tempo New Orleans R&B sound with soulful vocals, honky-tonk piano, and breathless backing vocals.

Many critics, both at the time and more recently in reappraising Carney, have dismissed the second side of the album as too psychedelically-influenced which, honestly, would have been terribly out-of-date by ’72. Other than the second-side-opening, instrumental flight-of-fancy that is the title track, or maybe the meandering and bizarre “Acid Annapolis,” much of side two of Carney is just as finely-crafted and imaginative as the flip side. “If the Shoe Fits” is a rollicking, mid-tempo romp with plenty of rowdy juke-joint piano-pounding while “This Masquerade,” which would become a Top 10 chart hit a few years later when recorded by jazz guitarist George Benson, is an ambient jazz-soul ballad with crooned lyrics and elegant fretwork. Album closer “Magic Mirror” is a blue-hued ballad with muted keyboards and haunted vocals.

Russell wrote scores of hits for others, among them "Superstar," (written with Bonnie Bramlett) for the Carpenters, "Delta Lady" for Joe Cocker and "This Masquerade," for George Benson. His own version of "This Masquerade" is featured on Carney. More than 100 acts recorded "A Song for You," which Russell said he wrote in 10 minutes. Ray Charles' recording of the song in 1993 received a Grammy Award.

Sadly, Russell's life as a musical muse and performer ended with his death at 74 on Nov. 13, 2016, at his home in Nashville. He will be forever remembered for making a broad, sophisticated palette of American music sound down-home and natural [Extracts from thatdevilmusic.com & elusivedisc.com]

This post consists of FLACs ripped from my 'Sample Release' vinyl which I acquired second hand back in the 80's from a street market. My older brother bought the LP when it was first released, and so I spent my early teen years listening to the amazing sounds and musicianship on this album.  The circus sounds of the title track were distinct and it was only later on in life that I made the connection when I leant that Carney was a term used to describe a person who worked in a circus. It only seemed fitting that the popular U.S music magazine 'Circus'  (see above) featured Leon Russell on the front cover of their Sept, 1972 edition.

As usual, I am including full album artwork for both vinyl and CD formats. To sweeten the deal, I thought I'd include several live tracks from his Long Beach Arena, Californian concert held on August 28th, 1972.

'Carney' was Russell's signature album release alongside his debut self-titled album, which also featured many of his popular hits. Perhaps I might post that album at a later stage.

Tracklisting

01. Tight Rope - 2:58

02. Out In The Woods - 3:35

03. Me And Baby Jane - 3:52

04. Manhattan Island Serenade - 3:24

05. Cajun Love Song - 3:08

06. Roller Derby - 2:21

07. Carney - 0:46

08. Acid Annapolis - 2:48

09. If The Shoe Fits - 2:21

10. My Cricket - 2:55

11. This Masquerade - 4:21

12. Magic Mirror - 4:54

13. Roller Derby-Roll Away The Stone (Bonus Live 1972)

14. Out In The Woods (Bonus Live 1972)

Personnel:

- Leon Russell (Claude Russell Bridges) - vocals, guitar, bass, piano, producer

- Don Preston - guitars, backing vocals

- Joey Cooper - guitars, backing vocals

- John Gallie - organ

- Carl Radle - bass

- Chuck Blackwell - drums

- Jim Keltner - drums

- Patrick, Phyllis, Mary Anne, Wacy - backing vocals

Leon Russell Link (289Mb) New Link 04/09/2023