A Song For You/Dixie Lullaby/I Put A Spell On You/Shoot Out On The Plantation/Hummingbird/Delta Lady/Prince Of Peace/Old Masters/Give Peace A Chance/Hurtsome Baby/Pisces Apple Lady/Roll Away The Stone
After several years collaborating with other artists, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Leon Russell released his own solo album. With his long, wispy hair, beard and trademark stovepipe hat, he soon developed a unique visual image. (US:60)
“The music reminded me an awful lot of Dr John, a heavy emphasis on well played southern blues rock. The opener A Song For You is sparer, simply some French horns backing Russell’s piano and voice. It's a beauty, but sadly the rest is rather unremarkable barring the lovely Hummingbird.”
“There are at least a few great songs (the lead-off track; Hummingbird), but most of the music lacks individuality. That is, except for Russell's voice, which I really don't care for; it's impassioned but quite nasally and he has the unfortunate habit of undercutting the effectiveness of his best songs with weird, goofy yelping or moaning noises. It seems he may have been a bit uncomfortable with finally being a front man after his impressive session career.”
“Very disappointing as the charming psychedelic pop of his early efforts has gone, to be replaced with a rather generic form of boogie rock. After spinning it a couple of times, there was nothing among the twelve tracks that I could ever see myself wanting to hear again.”
“This is more of Leon doing what he does best and bringing along that same core of musicians and singers for the ride. This album has more of a Southern gospel boogie sound and it's a nice mixture of ballads and rockers, many of which went on to find great success with other artists.”
“His first and best, as frequently is true of guys who were primarily back-ups and session players. That's not to say he didn't have talent and creativity. It's just that a first album usually contains songs from years of work that has been on the backburner for the artist; things that they couldn't get another artist to record, or they wouldn't trust anyone else with. The guitar work is amazing and the piano is Leon at his best, with different styles as well as the one that became his trademark.”
“This is a superb album. Every song is top-notch. Many albums have a few good songs you love and the rest are filler. With this album there is no filler.”
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