Leon Russell: Leon Russell And The Shelter People CD Track Listing

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Leon Russell Leon Russell And The Shelter People (1971)
Originally Released May 3, 1971\nDCC CD Edition Released 1989\nRight Stuff CD Edition Released July 3, 1995\n\nAMG EXPERT REVIEW: 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. -- Mike DeGagne \n\nHalf.com Album Credits\nJesse Ed Davis, Contributing Artist\nJim Gordon, Contributing Artist\nSteve Hoffman, Engineer\nDenny Cordell, Producer\nLeon Russell, Producer\n\nAlbum Notes\nPersonnel includes: Leon Russell (vocals, piano); Don Preston, Carl Radle, Chuck Blackwell, Chris Stainton, Jim Price, Jim Keltner, Jesse Ed Davis, Jim Gordon.\n\nLeon 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.\n\nAmazon.com Customer Review\nLeon Russell, You Just Can't Go Wrong!, September 1, 2004 \nReviewer: H. Brown "Bubs Boy" (Omaha, Nebraska United States) \nLeon Russell has endured in the toughest forum of music and continues today. I was so pleased to see that many of his vinyl records finally got released (and remastered) onto CD. Leon's life has been music and more music. He's been playing professionally since he was 14! He was a "session" player for years. \n\nLeon eventually produced and played on sessions with Bob Dylan, Frank Sinatra, Ike and Tina Turner, The Rolling Stones, The Byrds, The Ventures, Bobby Darin, Wayne Newton, Sam Cooke, Johnny Mathis and many records with Herb Albert and Tijuana Brass. \n\nLeon can be heard playing piano on Jan and Dean's "Surf City," Bobby Boris Pickett's "Monster Mash LP," and The Beach Boys "California Girls" and "Pet Sounds" among others. Leon played on most of Phil Spector's landmark records. According to Jack Nitzsche, noted producer, writer and arranger, "Leon was there for the solos and the fancy stuff," Jack was the band leader for those sessions. You name it, he can play it. \n\nThis CD was his second release "on his own" and The Shelter People were, in my opinion, the best group of backing artists he ever played and traveled with. Buy it, you'll enjoy it! \n\nAmazon.com Customer Review\nExcellent, April 26, 2004\nReviewer: "rob0" (Rosemont, PA USA) \nRussell alternately brings feeling and energy to the tracks on this amazing album. There are tracks you can kick back to and others you will want to turn up. The musicians along for the ride are stellar. This guy should have been a huge star (he was on his way in the early 70's), but as Gatemouth Brown told a friend of mine, Leon "spent a little too much time in the 60's." Luckily, albums like Leon Live, and the self titled LP clearly show what he was capable of and why he was so sought after as a musician by the greats of his day (The Stones, Clapton, George Harrison, Cocker, Dylan). If you like any of the names just mentioned there is probably something on this album for you. A lot of the tracks are the kind found on Exile on Main Street (full-sound -- gospel back-up singers, horns). Good stuff.\n\nAmazon.com Customer Review\nMaster of Space and Time, October 16, 2003\nReviewer: Ron Johnson (Florida) \nThis 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.\n\nAmazon.com Customer Review\nLeon's Sophomore Jinx, September 22, 2000\nReviewer: MG Nagy (Hays, KS United States)\nRussell's great self-titled debut set the bar pretty darn high (The DCC Gold Disc is another Steve Hoffman five star masterpiece). The sophomore jinx was not in effect, with "Shelter People" becoming his best record. Leon has gone on to write a lot more wonderful, beautiful music, but it's "Shelter People" that stands as both a defining collection and sign of the times.\nYou could attribute this to hindsight, but this record has always been my signpost for the end of the sixties 'peace and love' marketing campaign. The energy on this record isn't lacking, but there is a certain... ache, a nod that there are some dark times a' comin'. The energy is more focused, with a weariness (or is it wisdom?) that is palpable.\n\nThe opener "Stranger In A Strange Land" sets the mood perfectly. It's not just one of Leon's best songs, but should be on any *real* "best songs ever" list.\n\nMaybe some of the weariness it's simply having just got past pulling off the impossible: putting together Joe Cocker's "Mad Dogs And Englishman" band. That alone's worth sainthood (read the liner notes in the Cocker record). Leon delivers a nice four minute travelog of the tour with "The Ballad Of Mad Dogs And Englishmen."\n\n"Home Sweet Oklahoma" sounds like a needed look over the shoulder to fuel another tired step forward.\n\nWe get two more Dylan covers (five, counting the bonus tracks). This time, "It's A Hard Rain Gonna Fall" and "It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry" are both great reads. "Alcatraz" tells the tale of the (then) latest hose job the American Indians were getting.\n\nThe original closer, George Harrison's "Beware Of Darkness" is as good a read as the orginal. The three excellent bonus tracks tacked to the end makes for a softer landing.\n\nThe sound quality is great as usual, thanks to the DCC "trademark of quality" Steve Hoffman. If there's a complaint to make, it's that this disc hasn't gotten the gold/remaster treatment that Leon's debut did.\n\nIf you're new to Leon's music, this or "Leon Russell" are the best places to start. Classic rock and Joe Cocker fans both should have these records. Highly recommended.
This rock cd contains 14 tracks and runs 53min 39sec.
Freedb: c50c910e
Buy: from Amazon.com

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