Customer Reviews

Leon Live

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the man who co-wrote "Blues Power" with Eric Clapton, penned "Delta Lady" which Joe Cocker immortalized and Leon later toured with Mad Dogs and Englishmen, wrote "Superstar" with Bonnie Bramlett which Chris Farley and David Spade parodied the Carpenter's version in the movie "Tommy Boy" (Don'cha remember ya told me ya love me bay-bay). He worked with Phil Spector during Phil's Wall of Sound years. He performed with George Harrison at the legendary Concert for Bangla-Desh in 1971. Leon is our unknown national treasure. This set was recorded in Long Beach, California in 1972 at a time when Leon was at his most popular. If you are a fan of gospel-tinged boogie woogie, this album will not disappoint you. Leon and his travelling roadshow are at the top of their game, and you can expect that a musician of Leon's caliber would surround himself with top-notch people. This live performance is tight and captures the essence of "Leon Live". The medley will leave you breathless. It's good time rock and roll.

Leon Live is, without a doubt, the ultimate Leon Russell experience. Not only that, it is one of the all-time great expressions of American popular music. While it does not have the more detailed, polished sound of his outstanding studio recordings (the sound quality here does admittedly leave something to be desired), it captures Leon's manic energy as no other album can. The spirit of blues, gospel, and rock & roll are alive and kicking like a mule on crack in this incredible performance, which rivals Joe Cocker's Mad Dogs and Englishmen in its scope and power. It's all at once riotous, joyful, frenzied, sophisticated, heartfelt, and even spiritual. Many of the songs are played much faster than the originally recorded tempo, which could get tedious if it wasn't done so well by the band as a whole. To begin with, Leon's vocals have never been more gritty and raw, and his periodic blues ramblings about "my baby" and other topics turn this into more of a religious experience than a rock concert. He uses his signature wild screaming to kick the band into even higher gear when necessary (ie: on every song). His piano playing is unrivaled by anyone in the business. Nobody can boogie like the Master of Space and Time, and I believe he is the greatest rock pianist of them all. Just take a listen to the "Of Thee I Sing/Yes I Am Medley" for proof. As for the rest of the band, it is a first-rate ensemble if there ever was one, borrowing heavily from Leon's handpicked Mad Dogs and Englishmen band. Don Preston's lead guitar work is truly stunning, and I find it a crying shame that virtually no one knows his name these days. Carl Radle and Chuck Blackwell form a rock-solid rhythm section amidst the seeming chaos, and the gospel choir echoes every syllable of intensity thrown at them by the lead singer (be it Leon, Don Preston, Phylliss Lindsey, or Patrick Henderson).

Highlights of the album are hard to put a finger on since the whole thing is so great. In fact, the only song I could do without would be Phylliss Lindsey's vocal feature "Some Day." Her voice is just too screechy. Otherwise, the album is built around several show-stopping medleys, including Leon's famous rendition of "Jumpin' Jack Flash/Youngblood," "The Mighty Quinn," and the aforementioned "Of Thee I Sing/Yes I Am." "Stranger In A Strange Land" and "Out In The Woods" are also superb. However, none of these lengthier pieces quite equal the 3 minutes and 54 seconds of sheer hysteria that is "Delta Lady," which appears close to the end for obvious reasons. I listen to many different styles of music, including a lot of hard rock and some heavy metal, but every minute of Leon Live rocks harder than any of that stuff. His passion, spirit, energy, and southern charm make this one of the most definitive collections of big band rock ever made. Honestly, words cannot describe how awesome this album is. It's no surprise that Leon Russell was the biggest live act in the world at the time it was recorded. Don't buy this unless you are willing to let Leon show you some REAL rock & roll!

Leon Russell is one of those white guys that have got soul. And his live stuff from the early 70's is the best Leon stuff to listen to. People don't realize what a true musical talent Leon is, any kind of music he plays, he plays great. This is a great, rocking, CD and if you like Leon Russell, you will love this CD.

Some live recordings fall VERY short of the experience itself. This is not one of them. Although the experience of a live show is always better than hearing it at home, 'Leon Live' is as close to THE real thing as I have heard from any artist. Not only is the sound itself one of the tops EVER, all of the swoops of the Leon journey from the time are felt here. Editted, perhaps. But you would never know it. This one is a MUST.

Being a huge Joe Cocker fan, I found myself introduced to Leon Russell on Mad Dogs and Englishman. I don't know how it is that Leon isn't more well-known today! These songs are amazing. His voice has a very clear, sharp, yet subtle edge to it that is a pleasure to listen to. Without a doubt the best song on this album is the 16 minute long JUMPIN JACK FLASH/YOUNGBLOOD MEDLEY. The gospel, soul, rock and roll in this song makes you scream to the music at the top of your lungs! Long Live Leon!

Mr. Timothy J. Mcalpin really hits the nail on the head. His summary of what the album meant to those of us who were in our mid to late teens at the time is right on. Leon is right up there with Jerry Lee, Little Richard, James Brown and all of the really great rockers (most of whom he played with). I was in Long Beach for one of the shows that the album was cut from and I have yet to see another live show that measured up.

If you don't own any Leon Russell, then you should think real hard about buying this one. This is the classic Leon sound. In fact, if you happen to not like this exceptional arrangement of songs, I don't think you are even a fan of Russell. In that case, why are you reading my review? You Heard Me! Get Outa Here! Go look up some Oasis or Neil Diamond. I hear there are plenty of unclaimed copies.

The sound recording really isn't that bad! This concert recorded in August, 1972 is of similar sound quality to the Woodstock soundtrack or the Grateful Dead's self-titled live album from 1971. There is A LOT of energy here, incredible passion, great musicianship..in fact it's kind of a farewell to Leon Russell's most well known period in music..when he had a big band of musicians backing him. Leon Russell changed his sound after this album. If you liked Mad Dogs and Englishmen, and The Concert for Bangla Desh you'll like this!!

I can't rate this record highly enough. This was originally a 3 record set, and it rocks from beginning to end. Leon is one of the last of the great rock and roll pianists. He was in Jerry Lee Lewis's band for a while, and it shows. Great combination of rock, blues, gospel, and country.....While he has a number of great records, this is his best. Hands down, one of the best live rock albums ever. He's still great in concert, too.

classic sounds by an expert musician, mixes new with rock and jazz blends with a touch of the south creole style, hard to find in any other musician. The blend of his classic keyboard working the chords that blend with his own original southern twists make this a clssic album.