Damn, I don't know how Bill does it. I was never a big LR fan and I had forgotten everything about him but his hat and glasses. This song, however, is outrageous. Keep on truckin', Bill. Mucho gracious.......

Good memories. Leon was road music for 1972, the year that my wife and I spent on the road, living in our '69 VW bus. Of course it was our year-long honeymoon, that might have had something to do with the goodness of the memories. Yes, we're still married, to each other. One man, one woman, one dog, one VW bus, no job! Thanks for playing this.

leon russel was one of the most overlooked greats of the late 60's and early 70's. his "shelter people" works were incredible. saw him perform in 73 in san francisco, and the entire audience was mesmerized. what was really cool about him was that the audience was everything from runaway teens to "old folks". a lot of people GOT him, and i have always wondered why he didn't make a bigger mark in the music world than he did. i really think he didn't want it, because the audience for his music was out there.

oh yeah...more leon, please, brother Bill...

I'd like to here this remixed to eliminate the completely graceless "jungle" sounds... I swear I've heard that exact jungle sounds track on every bad sitcom and cartoon, it really distracts the hell out of me, otherwise me likey.

Carney is one of the most underrated albums ever. When you hear those tiresome diatribes about how 70's music sucked, pull this one out and tell em to shove it.

I heard this song over and over as an adolescent in the Seventies, because I had signed up for the Columbia House Record Club, the one where you got an LP every month unless you mailed them back the postcard with the NO box checked off, and so I got a copy of Carney one day in the mail. I was already somewhat hip to Leon Russell (and to Dr. John, see below) . . . I think that "Tightrope" was the single, but I used to just let "the whole side" play, and so this song is eerily familiar.
Of course, now that I'm older, I "get" the song.

PS: My first rock concert was Dr. John, he was playing with King Crimson and Procol Harum, and my mezzanine ticket was three dollars American, no kidding, circa 1974.

Get out the headphones for this one. One of the highest and best uses of stereophonic sound. I wonder how it comes across in Dolby stereo???
How about something off of "Leon Russel and the Shelter People"?

Way to go, Bill!

tdawg wrote:

Absolutely. Very nice analogy. Almost Zelig-like in music circles, Leon was informed and influenced from a diverse group...he, in turn, was invited to join many of those groups/musicians. He influenced as well.

If the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame can induct Billy Joel, Tom Petty and The Flamingos, I think they might be able to find room for Leon Russell!

Leon Russell put on one of the most mesmerizing concerts I have ever been to (Ft Worth, 1974?) His talent as a performer never really came across over the radio like it did in live performances.

yep, lily that was dr. john that did "right place...". they sometimes sound alike. adding to what i said back in july, i bought this 8-track before i raced a grand prix motorcycle race at deadmans point (apple valley, ca.)way back in '72. everytime i hear a cut off it, all i think about is that race. good times.

i know next to nothing about this guy. but every time i hear him on RP, i just love his voice. is he the guy who did that "right place, wrong time" song?
i always seem to get him mixed up with Dr. John. do they have similar styles? or is it just me?