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
Leon Russell
Released23 March 1970 (1970-03-23) (US)
24 April 1970 (UK)
RecordedSeptember 1969 – January 1970
StudioOlympic Studios, London; Sunset Sound Studios, Los Angeles; Gold Star Studios, Los Angeles; Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles and Ardent Studios, Memphis[1]
GenrePop, rock
Length38:47
LabelShelter Records (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

  1. "A Song for You" – 4:08
  2. "Dixie Lullaby" (Russell, Chris Stainton) – 2:35
  3. "I Put a Spell on You" – 4:12
  4. "Shoot Out on the Plantation" – 3:13
  5. "Hummingbird" – 4:02
  6. "Delta Lady" – 4:05
  7. "Prince of Peace" (Russell, Greg Dempsey) – 3:05
  8. "Give Peace a Chance" (Russell, Bonnie Bramlett) – 2:23
  9. "Masters of War (Dylan) - 1:24
  10. "Hurtsome Body" – 3:39
  11. "Pisces Apple Lady" – 2:53
  12. "Roll Away the Stone" (Russell, Dempsey) – 3:10

The CD re-issue contains the following bonus tracks:

  1. "Masters of War" (Bob Dylan) – 1:24
  2. "New Sweet Home Chicago" (Russell, Marc Benno) – 3:11
  3. "Jammin' with Eric" (Russell, Eric Clapton) – 4:14
  4. "Indian Girl" – 4:08
  5. "Shoot Out on the Plantation" (piano version) – 3:31
  6. "(Can't Seem To) Get a Line on You" (Mick Jagger, Keith Richards) – 4:16

Charts
Chart (1970/72) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[8] 9
United States (Billboard 200) 60

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

References
  1. "Leon Russell – Leon Russell". Discogs. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  2. Leon Russell at AllMusic
  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. 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.
  9. Hopkins, Jerry (21 January 1970). "Winwood, Watts & Starr as Sidemen". Rolling Stone. San Francisco: Straight Arrow Publishers, Inc. (50): 8.
  10. 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.
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