Customer Reviews

Face In The Crowd

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I strongly disagree with the critic! It makes me wonder if he or she actually devoted any time to really listen to this compilation. I would classify it as anything but "uninspired" and "derivative"? Derivative of what...great music? I don't have a problem with it being "derivative" of great music. A couple of the tunes bear some aspects of "commercial likeness" to previous Russell releases of the early days, in a very good way. They are each very unique though. So, it not as if you are hearing the same songs with different words. Russell has been criticized in the past for not making songs that are more derivative of his commercial early successes.

This album is a good mix of blues, rock, and softer selections. It also contains some very different style songs. An example that comes to mind is "Blue Eyes And A Black Hart". A softer but very well put together tune. Not really like anything done in past, perhaps more along the line of "Dark Carousel" from the private label "Blues" only sold at performances. "Betty Ann" is also a very unique styled song. The closest match to anything done in the past to compare it to would be "Delta Lady" but again very different and very good! If you like the style of the song "Tightrope" then you will fall in love with "Down In The Flood".

Several "get down and dirty blues" numbers are on here such as: "Love Is A Battlefield", "So Hard To Say Goodbye", "Message From My Baby", "Dr. Love", "What Will I Do Without You", and "Don't Bring The Blues To Bed". The blues tunes have a very similar sound to those done on the "Blues" CD. I like the style and production better on this effort though I believe.

Two very new and unique cuts are "Mean and Evil" and "The Devil Starting Talking". I like these very much. On the softer side is "This Hart Of Mine". Not my favorite but a still a good song!

The actual tracks listed at Amazon are not complete. Here is list of the actual tracks of the CD

1. Love Is A Battlefield 2. Dr. Love 3. Down In The Flood 4. So Hard To Say Goodbye 5. Betty Ann 6. This Hart Of Mine 7. Message From My Baby 8. Blue Eyes & A Black Hart 9. What Will I Do Without You 10. Mean And Evil 11. The Devil Started Talking 12. Don't Bring The Blues To Bed

Do yourself a favor and BUY THIS CD! If you ever liked any of Leon's music, you will love yourself for it!

I don't know how anyone can dispute the talent of Leon Russell. He has got as much soul as any musician and more than most. This CD is just another example of his unique vocal style and great bluesy piano. You can never go wrong buying music by Leon!

Leon was a real musical hero for me back in the early 70's, but after Will 'O The Wisp and a stray track or two off of the second Hank Wilson album he sort of got lost in the shuffle. Then came the atrocious Anything Can Happen in 1992 and I thought he was a goner. What a blast to hear him twice in one year with some great music. First came Legend In My Time, with its mix of raspy, barroom bluegrass and sweet ballads, and now comes Face in the Crowd. Down in the Flood is good, Blue Eyes, Black Heart is even better. I didn't even like Love Is a Battlefield when I first heard it, but man, check out when the horns come in to back him up! Leon's got a one-of-a-kind sound and he's been around long enough to fill his songs with more than just puffery. I hope I can kick a__ as well when I'm pushing 60!!

Leon is Leon, there's no doubt on this recording or anything he does. This CD does not represent his best work at all but it's fun and listenable. I took a star off the review for the horrible graphics on the cover, it was as if he went out in the street and grabbed the first person he saw and asked him to be the art director for his new CD. This is Leon Russell for cryin out loud, he deserves better! One of the most awful pieces of album cover art of all time. But put the case in the bag and enjoy the music.

I purchased this cd way back in 1999, and very seldom played this record. Recently i pulled it out and im really enjoying it very much. Leon Russell is one of my favorite artist and has been since the early 1970s, I can only say i must have really missed what he was trying to convey to the listener. I suppose face in the crowd will never be my favorite by leon, but i do like it now. So hard to say goodbye-down in the flood,and the devil started talking are the best songs on the cd . The time element of 11 yrs amazes me-but i believe i will enjoy this cd for many years to come.

This is by far the worst of the CDs I have of L.R. Get Shelter People, Live, or Carney first they are much better. This CD lacks any real feeling or enthusiasm on Leon's part. He just doesn't sound like he's really into his music on the album. To me he is just cranking out some songs to make some bucks. Bought this CD used and wasn't even worth the price I paid. Pass on this one for sure.