Leon Russell (album)

Leon Russell is the debut solo album by the singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Leon Russell. It followed his debut with the Midnight String Quartet and a production by Russell and Marc Benno billed as the Asylum Choir.

Leon Russell
Studio album by
Released23 March 1970 (1970-03-23)
RecordedSeptember 1969 – January 1970
Studio
Genre
Length38:06
LabelShelter (US)
A&M (UK)
ProducerDenny Cordell, Leon Russell
Leon Russell chronology
Look Inside the Asylum Choir
(1968)
Leon Russell
(1970)
Leon Russell and the Shelter People
(1971)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]
Christgau's Record GuideB+[3]

"A Song for You", written by Russell for this album, is a slow, pained plea for forgiveness and understanding from an estranged lover. The tune is one of Russell's best-known compositions. It has been performed and recorded by over 200 artists, spanning many musical genres. Elton John has called the song an American classic.[4][5]

On January 17, 2018, "A Song for You" was added to Grammy Hall of Fame.[6][7]

Track listing

All tracks composed by Leon Russell except where indicated

Side one

  1. "A Song for You" – 4:08
  2. "Dixie Lullaby" (Russell, Chris Stainton) – 2:30
  3. "I Put a Spell on You" – 4:10
  4. "Shoot Out on the Plantation" – 3:10
  5. "Hummingbird" – 3:57

Side two

  1. "Delta Lady" – 4:00
  2. "Prince of Peace" (Russell, Greg Dempsey) – 3:05
  3. "Masters of War (Bob Dylan) – 1:20
  4. "Give Peace a Chance" (Russell, Bonnie Bramlett) – 2:15
  5. "Hurtsome Body" – 3:35
  6. "Pisces Apple Lady" – 2:50
  7. "Roll Away the Stone" (Russell, Greg Dempsey) – 3:06

The 1993 "Gold Disc" CD reissue contains 5 bonus tracks:

  1. "The New Sweet Home Chicago" (Russell, Marc Benno) – 3:11
  2. "Jammin' with Eric" (Russell, Eric Clapton) – 4:14
  3. "Indian Girl" – 4:08
  4. "Shoot Out on the Plantation" (solo piano version) – 3:31
  5. "(Can't Seem To) Get a Line on You" (Mick Jagger, Keith Richards) – 4:16
  • "Roll Away the Stone", "Pisces Apple Lady", "Hurtsome Body", "Prince of Peace", "Delta Lady", "Shoot Out On the Plantation", "I Put a Spell On You" - Recorded at Olympic Sound, London, September 1969
  • "Give Peace a Chance" – Recorded at Ardent Recording, Memphis, November 1969
  • "Dixie Lullaby" – recorded at Gold Star Studios, Los Angeles, December 22, 1969
  • "Hummingbird" – recorded at Wally Heider Recording, Los Angeles, December 29, 1969
  • "A Song for You", "Masters of War" – recorded at A&M Studios, Los Angeles, January 1970
  • Final mixes by Glyn Johns made at Sunset Sound, Los Angeles, January 17–19, 1970

Personnel

Technical

  • Leon Russell – producer
  • Denny Cordell – producer
  • Glyn Johns – engineer, mixing
  • Tom Wilkes – design
  • Jim McCrary – photography

"This album is dedicated to: Chris Stainton / George Harrison / Ringo Starr / Charlie Watts / Bill Wyman / Eric Clapton / Klaus Voorman / BJ Wilson / Alan Spenner / Jim Gordon / Greg Dempsey / Stevie Winwood / Jim Horn / Mr. & Mrs. Bramlett / Bobby Whiplash / Clydie King / Merry Clayton & Joe Cocker, for their inspirational music."

Charts

Chart performance for Leon Russell
Chart (1970–1972)Peak
position
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)[10]9
US Billboard 20060

References