A Song for Leon: A Tribute to Leon Russell

by Song For Leon: A Tribute To Leon Russell / Var

Overview

A roots rock eccentric whose path often intersected with the mainstream, Leon Russell helped shape the sound and sensibility of rock & roll in the early 1970s, both as a singer/songwriter -- his "A Song for You" and "Superstar" became inescapable standards of the era -- and as a bandleader. His own records, as well as the albums he made with Joe Cocker -- he was the ringleader during the singer's career-making Mad Dogs & Englishmen era -- defined the careening, soulful superstar aesthetic of the time, music that lived on through the work of such acolytes as Elton John. John isn't on A Song for You: A Tribute to Leon Russell. He helped spark a Russell revival while the pianist was still around, cutting the duet album The Union in 2010, a good 13 years prior to this 2023 tribute. This salute performs the essential function of introducing Russell's music to a new generation of listeners, which means this record is rife with Americana and indie artists. The elder artists are Pixies, who throttle "Crystal Closet Queen" with affection, and Bootsy Collins, who provides a grinning counterpoint to US Girls on "Superstar." The remainder of the record features younger musicians who treat Russell with reverence -- generally, there are no grand reinterpretations of his music -- but are loose enough to have a good time with his shaggy blend of rock, soul, and country. That means each of the performances allows the singer's personality to shine through without obscuring Russell's inherent oddball nature. Orville Peck preens on "This Masquerade"; Bret McKenzie of Flight of the Conchords earnestly tackles "Back to the Island" with an assist from Preservation Hall Jazz Band; Margo Price sounds angelic on "Stranger in a Strange Land"; Durand Jones & the Indications tap into the murky swamp-R&B of "Out in the Woods," and Tina Rose and Amy Nelson -- the daughters of old partners Leon Russell and Willie Nelson, respectively -- give "Laying Right Here in Heaven" a cheerful funk. Then, there's Hiss Golden Messenger, who concludes the album by turning "Prince of Peace" into a reassuring, empathetic groove that seems to channel Russell without explicitly evoking him. It's an excellent way to end this fine tribute: The spirit of Russell lives on. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	09/08/2023
Label:	PRIMARY WAVE RECORDS
UPC:	0617308048742

Tracks

1. Stranger in a Strange Land  - Margo Price
2. Out in the Woods  -  Durand Jones & the Indications
3. Tight Rope  -  Night Sweats  - Nathaniel Rateliff  -  Rateliff
4. This Masquerade  - Orville Peck
5. Superstar  - Bootsy Collins  -  US Girls
6. Crystal Closet Queen  -  Pixies
7. A Song for You  - Monica Martin
8. Back to the Island  - Bret McKenzie  -  Preservation Hall Jazz Band
9. Laying Right Here in Heaven  - Jason Hill  - Amy Nelson  - Tina Rose
10. Prince of Peace  -  Hiss Golden Messenger

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Monica Martin   Primary Artist
Hiss Golden Messenger   Primary Artist
Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats   Primary Artist
Durand Jones & the Indications   Primary Artist
Orville Peck   Primary Artist
Tina Rose   Primary Artist
The Night Sweats   Primary Artist
Amy Nelson   Primary Artist
Bootsy Collins   Primary Artist
Jason Hill   Primary Artist
Preservation Hall Jazz Band   Primary Artist
Pixies   Primary Artist
Bret McKenzie   Primary Artist
Nathaniel Rateliff   Primary Artist
U.S. Girls   Primary Artist
Margo Price   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

Lazaro Alvarado   Package Design
Bonnie Bramlett   Composer
Delaney Bramlett   Composer
Nick Coyle   Mastering
Leon Russell   Composer
Greg Dempsey   Composer
Laurel Stearns   A&R
Robert Dippold   Project Manager
Jessica Hundley   Liner Notes
Jess Rotter   Artwork