Leon Russell
Leon Russell · 1970
58 min · 17 tracks · blues
A soulful blend of rock, blues, and gospel that showcases Russell's eclectic artistry and emotive vocal delivery.
Top tracks — play these first
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A Song for You Start here — This track exemplifies Russell's lyrical depth and emotional vulnerability, featuring a haunting piano arrangement that has resonated with many artists since its release.
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Delta Lady — With its vibrant instrumentation and catchy chorus, 'Delta Lady' reflects Russell's unique fusion of rock and blues while showcasing his distinctive vocal style.
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Hummingbird — This song stands out for its heartfelt lyrics and melodic richness, illustrating Russell's ability to create evocative narratives within his music.
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Roll Away the Stone — 'Roll Away the Stone' captures the spirit of the early 70s rock sound with its anthemic feel, highlighting Russell's skill in merging lyrical wisdom with engaging music.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and diverse arrangements but lacks tight cohesion across its extensive tracklist.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. 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
- wave-like pacing with emotional depth
- heartfelt storytelling through dynamic instrumentation
- intimate moments for reflection
- engaging themes for thoughtful listening
- solo piano interlude for introspection
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification
- prefer short, standalone tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This debut album established Russell's reputation as a solo artist.
- Career context
- Released in April 1970, this self-titled debut album marked Leon Russell's emergence as a solo artist after years of songwriting and session work. Following his contributions to notable projects like Joe Cocker’s ‘Mad Dogs & Englishmen’, Russell established himself with this album, which laid the foundation for his future successes in the music industry.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Joe Cocker· Leonard Cohen· Bob Dylan
Tracklist
- 1 A Song for You Start here 4:10
- 2 Dixie Lullaby 2:41
- 3 I Put a Spell on You 4:12
- 4 Shoot Out on the Plantation 3:14
- 5 Hummingbird 4:02
- 6 Delta Lady 4:08
- 7 Prince of Peace 3:08
- 8 Old Masters 1:28
- 9 Give Peace a Chance 2:18
- 10 Hurtsome Body 3:30
- 11 Pisces Apple Lady 2:59
- 12 Roll Away the Stone 3:18
- 13 The New Sweet Home Chicago 3:15
- 14 Jammin’ With Eric 4:18
- 15 Indian Girl 4:12
- 16 Shoot Out on the Plantation (solo piano version) 3:36
- 17 (Can’t Seem to) Get a Line on You (rehearsal) 4:28
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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