Leon Russell (1st LP) CD

Personnel includes: Leon Russell, Klaus Voorman, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Charlie Watts, Bill Wyman, Jim Gordon, Delaney Bramlett, Bonnie Bramlett.
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.
Principally recorded at Olympic Sound, London, England from September to October 1969.
This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.
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 .
Leon Russell never quite hit all the right notes the way he did on his eponymous debut. He never again seemed as convincing in his grasp of Americana music and themes, never again seemed as individual, and never again did his limited, slurred bluesy voice seem as ingratiating. He never again topped his triptych of "A Song for You," "Hummingbird," and "Delta Lady," nor did his albums contain such fine tracks as "Dixie Lullaby." Throughout it all, what comes across is Russell's idiosyncratic vision, not only in his approach but in his very construction -- none of the songs quite play out as expected, turning country, blues, and rock inside out, not only musically but lyrically. Yes, his voice is a bit of an acquired taste, but it's only appropriate for a songwriter with enough chutzpah to write songs of his own called "I Put a Spell on You" and "Give Peace a Chance." And if there ever was a place to acquire a taste for Russell, it's here. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
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.
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 CockerMusician (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..."