Leon Russell ~ And The Shelter People (1971){Original U.S.}
Leon Russell ~ And The Shelter People (1971)
Vinyl rip in 24/96 & 16/44.1 | 1 LP | Artwork
Shelter Recording Company ~ SW-8903
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 Takes a Lot to Laugh," while "It's a Hard Rain Gonna Fall" has him sounding so forceful, it 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. ~ Allmusic
TRACKS
All tracks composed by Leon Russell; except where indicated
01.Stranger In a Strange Land (Russell, Don Preston)
02.Of Thee I Sing (Russell, Don Preston)
03.A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall (Bob Dylan)
04.Crystal Closet Queen
05.Home Sweet Oklahoma
06.Alcatraz
07.Ballad of Mad Dogs and Englishmen
08.It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry (Dylan)
09.She Smiles Like A River
10.Sweet Emily
11.Beware of Darkness (George Harrison)
PERSONNEL
THE SHELTER PEOPLE
Leon Russell - Piano, Organ, Guitar & Vocals
Don Preston - Guitar & Vocals
John Gallie - Organ
Joey Cooper - Guitar & Vocals
Carl Radle - Bass
Chuck Blackwell - Drums
Claudia Lennar - Vocals
Kathi McDonald - Vocals
TULSA TOPS
Leon Russell - Piano, Guitar & Vocals
Jesse Davis - Guitar
Carl Radle - Bass
Jim Keltner - Drums
Muscle Shoals Swampers
Leon Russell - Piano, Guitar & Vocals
Barry Beckett - Organ
Jimmy Johnson - Guitar
David Hood - Bass
Roger Hawkins - Drums
FRIENDS IN ENGLAND
Leon Russell - Piano, Guitar & Vocals
Chris Stanton - Guitar
Jim Price - Organ
Carl Radle - Bass
Jim Gordon- Drums
ENGINEERS
Peter Nichols - Skyhill Shelter Studios, Hollywood
Marlin Greene - Muscle Shoals Studios, Alabama
Andy Johns - Island Studios, England
Glyn Johns - A&M Studios, Hollywood
EQUIPMENT
-VPI HW-16.5 RCM
-Clearaudio Concept w/ Verify magnetic-bearing tonearm
-Clearaudio Concept MC Cartidge
-Musical Suroundings The Phonomena II preamp
-Zoom H4n
-Audioquest interconnects