Leon Russell (album)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[2]
Christgau's Record Guide	B+[3]

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.

"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

• Leon Russell – piano, guitar, bass guitar, vocals
• George Harrison – guitar^[8]("Shoot Out on the Plantation" and "Hurtsome Body")^[9]
• Eric Clapton – guitar ("Delta Lady", "Prince of Peace", "Hurtsome Body", "Roll Away the Stone", "The New Sweet Home Chicago" and "Jammin' With Eric")^[9]
• Delaney Bramlett – guitar
• Alan Spenner – bass guitar
• Klaus Voormann – bass guitar ("The New Sweet Home Chicago")^[9]
• Bill Wyman – bass guitar ("Roll Away the Stone" and "Get a Line On You") ^[9]
• Steve Winwood – keyboards ("Roll Away the Stone")^[9]
• Chris Stainton – keyboards (“Hurtsome Body") ^[9]
• Ringo Starr - drums^[8] (Shoot Out on the Plantation", "Hurtsome Body" and "Get a Line On You")^[9]
• Charlie Watts – drums ("Roll Away the Stone")^[9]
• Buddy Harman – drums
• Jim Gordon – drums
• B.J. Wilson – drums ("Hurtsome Body") ^[9]
• Jon Hiseman – drums ("The New Sweet Home Chicago")^[9]
• Mick Jagger – vocals ("Get a Line On You")
• Bonnie Bramlett – vocals
• Joe Cocker – vocals
• Merry Clayton – vocals
• Jim Horn – saxophone

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

References