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

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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

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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

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Chart performance for Leon Russell
Chart (1970–1972) Peak
position
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)[10] 9
US Billboard 200 60

References

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  1. ^ "Leon Russell – Leon Russell". Discogs. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Leon Russell". Allmusic. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  3. ^ Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: R". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved March 12, 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
  4. ^ The Encyclopedia of Country Music, 2012: "In 1970 Russell released his self-titled debut solo album, including such enduring songs as 'Delta Lady' and 'A Song for You,' both written for versatile vocalist Rita Coolidge. He followed with Leon Russell and the Shelter People (1971) and ..."
  5. ^ discogs.com A Song for You
  6. ^ NewsOK.com Leon Russell's 'A Song For You' added to Grammy Hall Of Fame, by Nathan Poppe, January 17, 2018
  7. ^ Tulsa World News, Leon Russell song selected for Grammy Hall of Fame, By Jimmie Tramel, Jan. 18, 2018
  8. ^ a b Castleman, Harry; Podrazik, Walter J. (1977). "1970: And God Had Indigestion". All Together Now: The First Complete Beatles Discography 1961–1975 (2nd ed.). New York: Ballantine Books. p. 87. ISBN 0-345-25680-8.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Hopkins, Jerry (21 January 1970). "Winwood, Watts & Starr as Sidemen". Rolling Stone (50). San Francisco: Straight Arrow Publishers, Inc.: 8.
  10. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 262. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.