Released 20 years ago
Angel in Disguise
Leon Russell · 2006
45 min · 11 tracks · blues
A soulful blend of blues and country, infused with heartfelt lyrics and Russell's signature piano-driven melodies.
Top tracks — play these first
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Sweet Mimi Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Angel in Disguise — This title track embodies the album’s themes of love and longing, showcasing Russell's emotive vocal delivery paired with poignant piano arrangements.
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How Can This Be Love — With its catchy melody and relatable lyrics about the complexities of love, this track highlights Russell's skill in combining storytelling with musicality.
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Honey & Eli — This song features rich imagery and a tender narrative, illustrating Russell's knack for creating vivid emotional landscapes through his songwriting.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends traditional blues elements with Russell's signature style, though it lacks standout moments.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of piano-driven melodies, with Leon Russell's vocals layered over rich instrumental arrangements.
- The last three tracks slow down the tempo significantly, creating a reflective mood that contrasts with the earlier more upbeat songs.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- warm storytelling with heartfelt emotion
- easygoing tunes for relaxed evenings
- short tracks for breaks
- intimate vibes for cozy gatherings
Maybe skip if you
- prefer high-energy dance tracks
- want experimental or avant-garde sounds
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Released during a resurgence, it showcases Russell's enduring talent and genre-blending skills.
- Career context
- Released on January 1, 2006, 'Angel in Disguise' came during Leon Russell's resurgence in popularity after a period of relative obscurity. This album followed his earlier work 'The Union,' which marked a significant collaboration with Elton John, helping to reintroduce him to a new generation of listeners.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Joe Cocker· Leonard Cohen· Bob Dylan
Tracklist
- 1 Sweet Mimi Start here 4:08
- 2 How Can This Be Love 4:21
- 3 Angel in Disguise 3:48
- 4 Lovin' on My Mind 4:14
- 5 Come for You 3:48
- 6 Honey & Eli 4:57
- 7 Black n' Blue 3:52
- 8 All Through the Night 4:21
- 9 Honkey Tonk Eyes 2:29
- 10 Dyess Colony 3:50
- 11 Desire Under Your Eyes 5:14
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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