We continue our look back at the music of 50 years ago……..
The man born as Claude Russell Bridges in Tulsa Oklahoma in 1942 may be the most eclectic man in rock & roll. Certainly his resume is right up there with whoever is. Leon Russell started playing in bands in Tulsa when he was 14 working with other Okie notables like JJ Cale and David Gates. When he left for California he had already helped establish what was known as the Tulsa sound. When he got to LA he quickly became a guy who other artists would call on. For guitar, piano or whatever seemed to be needed. He became part of “The Wrecking Crew”, a group of sessions musicians that played on hundreds…maybe thousands of records in the 1960’s. Hits by Jan & Dean, Gary Lewis & The Playboys (he wrote “This Diamond Ring”), The Monkees, The Beach Boys, The Mamas & The Papas and dozens more. He produced and played with Dylan, The Stones, Elton John and Frank Sinatra. He worked with George Harrison and was the bandleader at the Concert for BanglaDesh”. He worked and toured with Delaney & Bonnie & Friends. And in 1970 led the band for Joe Cocker’s “Mad Dogs & Englishmen” tour which was as weird and wild as any other.
He also was a great songwriter penning A Song For You, Tightrope, Lady Blue and most of the songs on this record
In 1971 he stepped out and recorded his 3rd solo LP. The first two didn’t do anything but Leon Russell & The Shelter People” made it to #17 on the charts and went gold .
The album showed the varied sides of Russell and his many musical talents. He played piano, guitar & Hammond organ along with singing lead. He was joined by many of his friends that had also been with Delaney & Bonnie and also on the road with Cocker. Folks like Jim Price, Barry Beckett, Jim Keltner, Jim Gordon, Roger Hawkins, David Hood, Carl Radle, & Don Preston. Eric Clapton played on a couople of tunes (I’ll let you guess which ones). And the background singers are Kathi McDonald and the legendary Claudia Lennear (Mick wrote Brown Sugar about her)
The LP includes two Dylan covers and also a cover of George Harrison’s “Beware of Darkness”. I particularly like the country tune ‘ She Smiles Like a River” and the fifties styled ode to Little Richard Crystal Closet Queen”. The critics enjoyed his ballad “Mad Dogs & Englishmen” written for the 1970 tour documentary.. Russell’s voice is a unique instrument and you can hear it sing all kinds of styles on this record.
Russell went on to have more success in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s including hit records and Grammy awards. This is a good start if you want to check out his solo career.
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