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JANICE'S BLUES ALLEY PRESENTS

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Leon Russell



Leon Russell

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The ultimate rock & roll session man, Leon Russell's long and storied career includes collaborations with a virtual who's who of music icons spanning from Jerry Lee Lewis to Phil Spector to the Rolling Stones. A similar eclecticism and scope also surfaced in his solo work, which couched his charmingly gravelly voice in a rustic yet rich swamp pop fusion of country, blues, and gospel. Born Claude Russell Bridges on April 2, 1942, in Lawton, OK, he began studying classical piano at age three, a decade later adopting the trumpet and forming his first band. At 14, Russell lied about his age to land a gig at a Tulsa nightclub, playing behind Ronnie Hawkins & the Hawks before touring in support of Jerry Lee Lewis. Two years later, he settled in Los Angeles, studying guitar under the legendary James Burton and appearing on sessions with Dorsey Burnette and Glen Campbell. As a member of Spector's renowned studio group, Russell played on many of the finest pop singles of the 1960s, also arranging classics like Ike & Tina Turner's monumental "River Deep, Mountain High"; other hits bearing his input include the Byrds' "Mr. Tambourine Man," Gary Lewis & the Playboys' "This Diamond Ring," and Herb Alpert's "A Taste of Honey."

In 1967, Russell built his own recording studio, teaming with guitarist Marc Benno to record the acclaimed Look Inside the Asylum Choir LP. While touring with Delaney & Bonnie, he scored his first songwriting hit with Joe Cocker's reading of "Delta Lady," and in 1970, upon founding his own Shelter Records imprint, he also organized Cocker's legendary Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour. After the subsequent tour film earned Russell his first real mainstream notoriety, he issued a self-titled solo LP, and in 1971 appeared at George Harrison's Concert for Bangladesh following sessions for B.B. King, Eric Clapton, and Bob Dylan. After touring with the Rolling Stones, Russell increasingly focused on his solo career, reaching the number two spot with 1972's Carney and scoring his first pop hit with the single "Tight Rope." While the success of 1973's three-LP set Leon Live further established his reputation as a top concert draw, response to the country-inspired studio effort Hank Wilson's Back was considerably more lukewarm, as was the reception afforded to 1974's Stop All That Jazz. 1975's Will O' the Wisp, however, restored his commercial luster, thanks in large part to the lovely single "Lady Blue."

In June of 1975, Russell married singer Mary McCreary; the following year the couple collaborated on The Wedding Album, issued through his newly formed Paradise Records label. Also in 1976, the Russell-penned "This Masquerade" earned a Grammy Award for singer George Benson. He and McCreary reunited for 1977's Make Love to the Music, and upon completing the solo Americana, Russell teamed with Willie Nelson for 1979's Willie & Leon. He then spent the next two years touring with his bluegrass band, the New Grass Revival, issuing a live LP in 1981; although Paradise shut down later that year, the label was reactivated for 1984's Hank Wilson, Vol. 2 and Solid State. Russell spent the remainder of the decade largely outside of music and did not resurface until issuing the Bruce Hornsby-produced Anything Can Happen in 1992. The album appeared to little fanfare, however, and another long period of relative inactivity followed prior to the 1998 release of Hank Wilson, Vol. 3: Legend in My Time. Face in the Crowd appeared a year later. Moving into the new century, Russell issued Moonlight & Love Songs, an album of cover songs, in 2002, followed by Angel in Disguise five years later in 2007. A trio of releases, Almost Piano, Bad Country, and In Your Dreams, appeared in 2008.

-- Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide

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Tightrope
Lady Blue
This Masquerade


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LINKSYEARTITLE
1968Look Inside (Asylum Choir)
1970Leon Russell
1971Asylum Choir
1971Asylum Choir II
1971Leon Russell And The Shelter People
1972Carney
1973Hank Wilson�s Back!
1973Leon Live!
1974Stop All That Jazz
1975Live! In Japan
1975Will O� The Wisp
1976Wedding Album
1976Best Of Leon Russell
1977Make Love To The Music
1978Americana
1979Willie & Leon: One More for the Road
1980Life And Love
1981The Live Album
LINKSYEARTITLE
1984Hank Wilson: Vol. 2
1984Solid State
1992Anything Can Happen
1995Hymns Of Christmas
1998Hank Wilson, Vol. 3: Legend In My Time
1999Face In The Crowd
1999Blues: Same Old Song
2000Live! At Gilley�s
2001Signature Songs
2001Rhythm & Bluegrass: Hank Wilson, Vol. 4
2002Moonlight & Love Songs
2004The Best Of Leon Russell
2007Angel In Disguise
2008Almost Piano
2008Bad Country
2008In Your Dreams
2008Crazy Love


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1968 Look Inside (Asylum Choir)

01. Welcome to Hollywood
02. Soul Food
03. Icicle Star Tree
04. Death of the Flowers
05. Indian Style
06. Episode Containing 3 Songs: A. NY Op
06B. Land of Dog
06C. Mr Henri the Clown
07. Thieves in the Choir
08. Black Sheep Boogaloo


1970 Leon Russell

01. A Song For You
02. Dixie Lullaby
03. I Put A Spell On You
04. Shootout On The Plantation
05. Hummingbird
06. Delta Lady
07. Prince Of Peace
08. Give Peace A Chance
09. Hurtsome Body
10. Pisces Apple Lady
11. Roll Away The Stone
12. Masters Of War (Old Masters)


1971 Asylum Choir



1971 Asylum Choir II

01. Sweet Home Chicago
02. Down On The Base
03. Hello Little Friend
04. Salty Candy
05. Tryin' To Stay 'Live
06. Intro To Rita
07. Straight Brother
08. Learn How To Boogie
09. Ballad For A Soldier
10. When You Wish Upon A Fag
11. Lady In Waiting
12. Welcome To Hollywood
13. Death Of The Flowers
14. Icicle Star Tree
15. Mr. Henri The Clown
16. Soul Food




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1971 Leon Russell And The Shelter People

01. Stranger In A Strange Land
02. Of Thee I Sing
03. A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall
04. Chrystal Closet Queen
05. Home Sweet Oklahoma
06. Alcatraz
07. The Ballad Of Mad Dogs And Englishmen
08. It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry
09. She Smiles Me A River
10. Sweet Emily
11. Beware Of Darkness



1972 Carney

01. Tight Rope
02. Out In The Woods
03. Me & Baby Jane
04. Manhattan Island Serenade
05. Cajun Love Song
06. Roller Derby
07. Carney
08. Acid Annapolis
09. If The Shoe Fits
10. My Cricket
11. This Masquerade
12. Magic Mirror


1973 Hank Wilson's Back!

01. Roll In My Sweet Baby's Arms
02. She Thinks I Still Care
03. I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
04. I'll Sail My Ship Alone
05. Jambalaya (on the bayou)
06. A Six Pack To Go
07. The Battle Of New Orleans
08. Uncle Pen
09. Am I That Easy To Forget?
10. Truck Drivin' Man
11. The Window Up Above
12. Lost Highway
13. Good Night Irene
14. Hey, Good Lookin'
15. In The Jailhouse Now



1973 Leon Live!

01. Mighty Quinn Medley
02. Shootout At The Plantation
03. Dixie Lullaby
04. Queen Of The Roller Derby
05. Roll Away The Stone
06. It's Been A Long Time Baby
07. Great Day
08. Alcatraz
09. Chrystal Closet Queen
10. Prince Of Peace
11. Sweet Emily
12. Stranger In A Strange Land
13. Out In The Woods
14. Some Day
15. Sweeping Through The City
16. Medley: Jumping Jack Flash/Young Blood
17. Medley: Of Thee I Sing/Yes I Am
18. Delta Lady
19. It's All Over Now, Baby Blue



1974 Stop All That Jazz

01. If I Were A Carpenter
02. Smashed
03. Leaving Whipporwhill
04. Spanish Harlem
05. Streaker's Ball
06. Working Girl
07. Time For Love
08. The Ballad Of Hollis Brown
09. Mona Lisa Please
10. Stop All That Jazz
11. Wild Horses
12. Wabash Cannonball




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1975 Live! In Japan



1975 Will O' The Wisp

01. Will O' The Wisp (inst.)
02. Little Hideaway
03. Make You Feel Good
04. Can't Get Over Losing You
05. My Father's Shoes
06. Stay Away From Sad Songs
07. Back To The Island
08. Down On Deep River
09. Bluebird
10. Laying Right Here In Heaven
11. Lady Blue



1976 Wedding Album

01. Rainbow In Your Eyes
02. Like A Dream Come True
03. Love's Supposed To Be That Way
04. Fantasy
05. Satisfy You
06. You Are On My Mind
07. Lavender Blue
08. Quiet Nights
09. Windsong
10. Daylight


1976 Best Of Leon Russell

01. Roll Away The Stone
02. Delta Lady
03. Bluebird
04. Shootout At The Plantation
05. Stranger In A Strange Land
06. Hummingbird
07. Out In The Woods
08. A Song For You
09. Lady Blue
10. Tight Rope
11. This Masquerade
12. Back To The Island


1977 Make Love To The Music

01. Easy Love
02. Joyful Noise
03. Now Now Boogie
04. Say You Will
05. Make Love To The Music
06. Love Crazy
07. Love Is In Your Eyes
08. Hold On To This Feeling
09. Island In The Sun



1978 Americana

01. Let's Get Started
02. Elvis And Marilyn
03. From Maine To Mexico
04. When A Man Loves A Woman
05. It's Only Me
06. Midnight Lover
07. Housewife
08. Ladies Of The Night
09. Shadow And Me
10. Jesus On My Side




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1979 Willie & Leon: One More for the Road

01. Detour
02. I Saw The Light
03. Heartbreak Hotel
04. Let The Rest Of The World Go By
05. Trouble In Mind
06. Don't Fence Me In
07. The Wild Side Of Life
08. Ridin' Down The Canyon
09. Sioux City Sue
10. You Are My Sunshine
11. Danny Boy
12. Always
13. Summertime
14. Because Of You
15. Am I Blue
16. Tenderly
17. Far Away Places
18. That Lucky Old Sun
19. Stormy Weather
20. One For My Baby And One More For The Road


1980 Life And Love

01. One More Love Song
02. You Girl
03. Struck By Lightning
04. Strange Love
05. Life And Love
06. On The First Day
07. High Horse
08. Sweet Mystery
09. On The Borderline



1981 The Live Album

01. Over The Rainbow
02. I've Just Seen A Face
03. One More Love Song
04. Pilgrim Land
05. Georgia Blues
06. I Believe To My Soul
07. Prince Of Peace
08. Rollin' In My Sweet Baby's Arms
09. Stranger In A Strange Land
10. I Want To Be At The Meeting
11. Wild Horses
12. Jambalaya (on the bayou)
13. Caribbean
14. Jumping Jack Flash


1984 Hank Wilson: Vol. 2

01. Wabash Cannonball
02. Oh, Lonesome Me
03. Tennessee Waltz
04. Heartaches By The Number
05. If You've Got The Money, Honey
06. Tumbling Tumbleweeds
07. I'm Movin' On
08. Waltz Across Texas
09. Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes
10. On The Wings Of A Dove
11. I'll Be There If You Ever Want Me
12. I Saw The Light


1984 Solid State

01. Rock & Roll Part Of My Heart
02. Lost Love
03. All The Love Is On The Radio
04. There's No Understanding The Heart
05. Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues
06. Rescue My Heart
07. To See You Again
08. New Kind Of Fire
09. Like A Thief In The Night
10. If You Go Away


1992 Anything Can Happen

01. Anything Can Happen
02. Black Halos
03. No Man's Land
04. Too Much Monkey Business
05. Angel Ways
06. Life Of the Party
07. Stranded On Easy Street
08. Jezebel
09. Love Slave
10. Faces Of The Children




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1995 Hymns Of Christmas

01. Oh, Holy Night
02. We Three Kings
03. Away In A Manger
04. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
05. Joy To The World
06. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
07. The First Noel
08. Oh, Little Town Of Bethlehem
09. Oh, Come All Ye Faithful
10. Silent Night


1998 Hank Wilson, Vol. 3: Legend In My Time

01. Sixteen Tons
02. Night Life
03. Act Naturally
04. Sweet Dreams
05. Daddy Sang Bass
06. He Stopped Loving Her Today
07. Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys
08. Funny How Time Slips Away
09. Okie From Muskogee
10. Crazy
11. Love's Gonna Live Here
12. He'll Have To Go
13. Legend In My Time



1999 Face In The Crowd

01. Love Is A Battlefield
02. Dr. Love
03. Down In The Flood
04. So Hard To Say Goodbye
05. Betty Ann
06. This Heart Of Mine
07. Message From My Baby
08. Blue Eyes And A Black Heart
09. What Will I Do Without You
10. Mean And Evil
11. The Devil Started Talking
12. Don't Bring The Blues To Bed


1999 Blues: Same Old Song

01. End Of The Road
02. Ways Of A Woman
03. House Of Blues
04. Rip Van Winkle
05. This Love I Have For You
06. Lost Inside The Blues
07. Dark Carousel
08. It's Impossible
09. My Hard Times
10. Strange Power Of Love
11. Make Everything Alright
12. The Same Old Song


2000 Live! At Gilley's

01. Mystery Train
02. One More Love Song
03. Truck Drivin' Man
04. Cajun Love Song
05. My Cricket
06. I'm Movin' On
07. Lady Blue
08. In The Pines
09. A Song For You
10. Uncle Pen
11. Prince Of Peace
12. Roll In My Sweet Baby's Arms




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2001 Signature Songs

01. A Song For You
02. One More Love Song
03. Tight Rope
04. Stranger In A Strange Land
05. Hummingbird
06. Back To The Island
07. Out In The Woods
08. Lady Blue
09. Delta Lady
10. Magic Mirror
11. This Masquerade



2001 Rhythm & Bluegrass: Hank Wilson, Vol. 4

01. I've Just Seen a Face
02. Footprints In The Snow
03. Columbus Stockade Blues
04. I Believe To My Soul
05. Rough And Rocky Road
06. Mystery Train
07. When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold
08. In The Pines
09. Open Up The Door
10. The Bluebirds Are Singing For Me
11. Rhythm And Bluegrass
12. Pilgrim Land


2002 Moonlight & Love Songs

01. Orchestra Tuning
02. The Very Thought Of You
03. That's All
04. My Funny Valentine
05. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
06. Stormy Weather
07. Once In Awhile
08. That Lucky Old Sun
09. 'Round Midnight
10. The Shadow Of Your Smile
11. As Time Goes By
12. Angel Eyes


2004 The Best Of Leon Russell

01. A Song For You
02. Bluebird
03. This Masquerade
04. Roll Away The Stone
05. Beware Of Darkness
06. Chrystal Closet Queen
07. Delta Lady
08. Back To The Island
09. Stranger In A Strange Land
10. Hummingbird
11. Queen Of The Roller Derby
12. Of Thee I Sing
13. Streaker's Ball
14. Lady Blue
15. Tight Rope
16. Roll In My Sweet Baby's Arms
17. Magic Mirrorr





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2007 Angel In Disguise

01. Sweet Mimi
02. How Can This Be Love
03. Angel In Disguise
04. Lovin' On My Mind
05. Come For You
06. Honey & Eli
07. Black N' Blue
08. All Through The Night
09. Honky Tonk Eyes
10. Dyess Colony
11. Desire Inside Your Eyes



2008 Almost Piano

01. Ixtland
02. Piano Polka
03. Friendly Fire
04. Whitewater Blues
05. Harpo's Dream
06. Kiss My Eyes
07. A Girl I Once Knew
08. Blind Lemon Cream
09. Big Easy
10. Reba Lights


2008 Bad Country

01. A Little Bit Of Love
02. Honkytonk Dream
03. Oklahoma Girl
04. California dreams
05. Hungry Eyes
06. Real Love
07. Rio Grande
08. Sweet Magic Love
09. Tennessee Hayride
10. Come Lay With Me
11. Bad Country



2008 In Your Dreams

01. I Love The Way You Love Me
02. Oklahoma Boogie
03. Lover's Hideaway
04. Big Lips
05. End Of A Love Affair
06. Love Can Hurt You So
07. I Wanna Make Love To You
08. Down In Louisiana
09. Perfect Love
10. A Little Thing Called Love
11. Last Dance
12. Down In Dixieland


2008 Crazy Love

01. Hungry For Love
02. Crazy Love
03. Deep In The Heart Of Dixie
04. Through Lover's Eyes
05. Sweet Surrender
06. Fool In Love
07. Too Hot Too Handle
08. Sugaree's Birthday
09. Love Is In The Air
10. Human Sacrifice
11. Let Me Down Easy



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