Leon RUSSELL - Leon Russell And The Shelter People 1971

Leon RUSSELL - Leon Russell And The Shelter People 1971

Blues

Leon Russell's accolades are monumental in a number of categories, from songwriting (he wrote Joe Cocker's "Delta Lady") to session playing (with the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan, just to name a few) to his solo work. Unfortunately, it's the last category that never really attracted as much attention as it should have, despite a multitude of blues-based gospel recordings and piano-led, Southern-styled rock albums released throughout the 1970s. Leon Russell and the Shelter People is a prime example of Russell's instrumental dexterity and ability to produce some energetic rock & roll. Poignant and expressive tracks such as "Of Thee I Sing," "Home Sweet Oklahoma," and "She Smiles Like a River" all lay claim to Russell's soulful style and are clear-cut examples of the power that he musters through his spirited piano playing and his voice. His Dylan covers are just as strong, especially "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue" and "It Takes a Lot to Laugh," while "Love Minus Zero/No Limit" and "It's a Hard Rain Gonna Fall" have him sounding so forceful, they could have been Russell's own. A hearty, full-flavored gospel sound is amassed thanks to both the Shelter People and the Tulsa Tops, who back Russell up on most of the tracks, but it's Russell alone that makes "The Ballad of Mad Dogs and Englishmen" such an expressive piece and the highlight of the album. On the whole, Leon Russell and the Shelter People is an entertaining and more importantly, revealing exposition of Russell's music when he was in his prime. The album that followed, 1972's Carney, is an introspective piece which holds up a little better from a songwriting standpoint, but this album does a better job at bearing his proficiency as a well-rounded musician.
By Mike DeGagne, All Music Guide.
**
This album reflects Leon at his peak, in my opinion. The album contains his classic song "Stranger In A Strange Land" as well as good amount of Bob Dylan covers ("Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall," "Love Minus Zero," "She Belongs To Me," "It Takes A Lot To Laugh (It Takes A Train To Cry" and "It's All Over Now Baby Blue)." It also contains "Mad Dogs and Englishmen" which he wrote about his tour with Joe Cocker. I don't mind telling you when this thing came out in 1971 it blew us all away and frankly it rated high indeed on any stoner's list of LP's. Listening to it today, it holds up just fine and sounds as well as if it were just released. Some people might consider a little too country (although more accurately it's country blues) but this baby rocks. It only reached #17 on the charts but it stayed there for over 20 weeks as I recall. A classic album and it is the reason Leon acquired his reputation of "The Master of Space and Time." Check it out and see why.
By Ronald B. Johnson.
**
Leon Russell's second album, "Leon Russell & The Shelter People", has the feel of a rollicking road show. In fact, many of the players who appear here had been out on the road under Russell's direction as Joe Cocker's backing band, Mad Dogs & Englishmen (a fact chronicled on this album in "The Ballad of Mad Dogs and Englishmen"). The original album was made up of eight Russell originals, two Bob Dylan covers, and a song by George Harrison (an incredible version of "Beware of Darkness"). This CD reissue has been extended to include three additional Dylan covers. The variety--country, gospel, blues, soul, and rock & roll--is seamlessly woven together by Russell's good-natured Oklahoma twang. The set is paced to move and groove listeners in a way that is reminiscent of an old fashioned revue. In addition, "Leon Russell & The Shelter People" is anchored by some of the finest rhythm sections, soloists, and chorus singers of the time.
CD Universe.
**
Leon Russell- Vocals, Guitar, Piano, Organ
Jesse Ed Davis- Guitar
Claudia Lennear- Vocals
Jim Price- Organ
Jim Keltner- Drums
Jim Gordon- Drums
Barry Beckett- Organ
Chuck Blackwell- Drums
Joey Cooper- Guitar, Vocals
Nick DeCaro- String arrangements
John Gallie- Organ
Roger Hawkins- Drums
David Hood- Bass
Jimmy Johnson- Guitar
Kathi McDonald- vocals
Don Preston- Guitar, Vocals
Carl Radle- Bass
Chris Stainton- Guitar
**
01. Stranger in a Strange Land (4:01)
02. Of Thee I Sing (4:22)
03. It's a Hard Rain Gonna Fall (5:08)
04. Crystal Closet Queen (2:59)
05. Home Sweet Oklahoma (3:26)
06. Alcatraz (3:51)
07. Ballad of Mad Dogs and Englishmen, The (4:00)
08. It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry (4:00)
09. She Smiles Like a River (2:58)
10. Sweet Emily (3:20)
11. Beware of Darkness (4:40)
Bonus Tracks, Previously Unreleased;
12. It's All Over Now, Baby Blue (3:38)
13. Love Minus Zero - No Limit (3:19)
14. She Belongs To Me (3:26)
**
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