Leon Russell (1st LP) CD

Principally recorded at Olympic Sound, London, England from September to October 1969.

Leon Russell's 1970 self-titled debut appeared when he was 30 years old and a veteran of countless sessions--as player, arranger, producer, and writer.

Opening with the gorgeous and frequently covered ballad, "A Song for You," he then jumps into a stew of New Orleans, gospel, bluesy rock & roll. The songs were all written or co-written by Russell (with the exception of the CD's bonus track, Bob Dylan's "Master of War"). This mix of music, all held together by Russell's drawled and friendly vocals, would prove successful for his follow-up album (AND THE SHELTER PEOPLE), and for his role as bandleader for Joe Cocker's Mad Dogs & Englishmen tour. Deservedly, this album has remained of the most enduring in Leon Russell's fine catalog.

Opening this self-titled album with the gorgeous and frequently covered ballad, "A Song for You," Leon Russell then jumps into a stew of gospel, blues, and New Orleans rock & roll. The songs were all written or co-written by Russell (with the exception of the bonus track, Bob Dylan's "Master of War"). This mix of music, all held together by Russell's drawled and friendly vocals, would prove successful for his follow-up album (AND THE SHELTER PEOPLE), and for his role as bandleader for Joe Cocker's Mad Dogs & Englishmen tour. Deservedly, this album has remained the most enduring in Russell's fine catalog.

Principally recorded at Olympic Sound, London, England in September and October 1969.

Personnel includes: Leon Russell (vocals, keyboards); Klaus Voorman (bass); Jim Gordon (drums); George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Charlie Watts, Bill Wyman, Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Mick Jagger, Delaney Bramlett, Bonnie Bramlett.

Personnel: Leon Russell (vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards); Joe Cocker, Merry Clayton, Mick Jagger, Bonnie Bramlett (vocals); Delaney Bramlett, Eric Clapton, George Harrison (guitar); Jim Horn (saxophone); Chris Stainton, Steve Winwood (keyboards); Jim Gordon , Ringo Starr, B.J. Wilson, Buddy Harmon, Charlie Watts (drums).

Audio Mixers: Glyn Johns; Leon Russell; Marc Benno.

Audio Remasterer: Steve Hoffman.

Liner Note Author: Todd Everett.

Recording information: Ardent Recording, Memphis, TN (09/1969-01/1970); Crystal Sound (09/1969-01/1970); Gold Star Studios, Los Angeles, CA (09/1969-01/1970); Olympic Sound, London, England (09/1969-01/1970); Sunset Sound, Hollywood, CA (09/1969-01/1970); Wally Heider Recording, Los Angeles, CA (09/1969-01/1970).

Photographer: Jim McCrary.

Unknown Contributor Roles: Clydie King; Eric Clapton; Bobby Whiplash; Greg Dempsey; Klaus Voormann; Leon Russell; George Harrison; Charlie Watts .

Personnel includes: Leon Russell, Klaus Voorman, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Charlie Watts, Bill Wyman, Jim Gordon, Delaney Bramlett, Bonnie Bramlett.



This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.Musician (3/96, p.90) - "...Russell achieved...an integration of his two personae. He caressed the melody even while underscoring it with down-home rasps and scratchy yowls. Velvet and sandpaper, perfectly matched..."
Musician (3/96, p.90) - "...Russell achieved what eluded him on ASYLUM CHOIR: an integration of his two personae. He caressed the melody even while underscoring it with down home raps and scratchy yowls..."