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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
Released	23 March 1970 (1970-03-23) (US) 24 April 1970 (UK)
Recorded	September 1969 – January 1970
Studio	Olympic, London Sunset Sound, Los Angeles Gold Star, Los Angeles Wally Heider, Los Angeles Ardent, Memphis[1]
Genre	Americana[2] country[2] blues[2] rock[2]
Length	38:06
Label	Shelter (US) A&M (UK)
Producer	Denny 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
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[2]
Christgau's Record Guide	B+[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

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 GOLD CD re-issue contains the following bonus tracks:

1. "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" (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" and "I Put a Spell On You" - Recorded at Olympic Sound, London, September 1969
• "Hummingbird" - Recorded at Wally Heider Recording, Los Angeles, December 29, 1969
• "Dixie Lullaby" - Recorded at Gold Star Studios, Los Angeles, December 22, 1969
• "Give Peace a Chance" - Recorded at Ardent Recording, Memphis, November 1969
• "A Song for You" - Recorded at Sunset Sound, Los Angeles, January 1970
• Final Mixes by Glyn Johns made at Sunset Sound, Los Angeles, January 17-19, 1970

Charts

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

Personnel

• Leon Russell – piano, guitar, bass, vocals
• George Harrison – guitar[9]("Dixie Lullaby", "Shoot Out on the Plantation" and "Hurtsome Body")[10]
• Eric Clapton – guitar ("Prince of Peace", "New Sweet Home Chicago" and "Jammin' With Eric")[10]
• Delaney Bramlett – guitar
• Alan Spenner – bass guitar
• Klaus Voormann – bass guitar ("New Sweet Home Chicago")[10]
• Bill Wyman – bass guitar ("Roll Away the Stone" and "Get a Line On You") [10]
• Steve Winwood – keyboards ("Roll Away the Stone")[10]
• Chris Stainton – keyboards ("Dixie Lullaby" and “Hurtsome Body") [10]
• Ringo Starr - drums[9] ("Dixie Lullaby", Shoot Out on the Plantation" and "Hurtsome Body")[10]
• Charlie Watts – drums ("Roll Away the Stone")[10]
• Buddy Harman – drums
• Jim Gordon – drums
• B.J. Wilson – drums ("Hurtsome Body") [10]
• Jon Hiseman – drums ("New Sweet Home Chicago")[10]
• 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."

External links

• Official Leon Russell website
• Leon Russell discography
• Leon Russell lyrics
• Leon Russell Records
• Leon Russell NAMM Oral History Program Interview (2012)
• Leon Russell at IMDb

References

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