Leon Russell

Leon Russell – Will O’ The Wisp (1975/2021) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

Studio Masters By admin · May 20, 2023 · Comments off

Will O’ the Wisp is the sixth studio album by Leon Russell. The album was released in 1975 on Shelter Records. It peaked at No. 30 on the Billboard albums chart and remained on the chart for 40 weeks. The album cover was designed and illustrated by artist/actor Gailard Sartain.

It features the hit single, “Lady Blue”, which reached No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

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Leon Russell – On a Distant Shore (2017) [Official Digital Download 24bit/44,1kHz]

Studio Masters By admin · May 20, 2023 · Comments off

Recorded prior to his November 2016 death, On a Distant Shore isn’t a strict return to the chintzy, homemade digital productions Leon Russell specialized in prior to his 2010 Elton John-assisted comeback The Union, but it’s a far cry from the warmth of the 2014 solo affair Life Journey. With producer Mark Lambert, Russell favors a clean, crisp sound for On a Distant Shore, one that is in the same ballpark as the endless albums he released in the 2000s. Coming after the burnished The Union and Life Journey, the brightness of On a Distant Shore is a bit jarring, but it enhances the low-key California swing of “This Masquerade” — a song happily in the vein of latter-day Steely Dan — and can work well on a barrelhouse blues, too. When more elements are added into the production, like the backing band and synthesized orchestra on “Just Leaves and Grass,” On a Distant Shore starts to wobble because it’s clear it was done on the cheap. Consequently, the album doesn’t feel as suitable a career capper as Life Journey, but as a coda it’s not bad: it has a few worthy cuts and in its ungainly construction, it holds true to the weirdness of most of Russell’s discography.

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Leon Russell – Life Journey (2014) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Studio Masters By admin · May 20, 2023 · Comments off

Legendary American singer and pianist Leon Russell has entertained the world for five decades, getting his start as an in-demand Wrecking Crew session player and playing on hundreds of hit records before he began releasing his own albums in 1967. His latest studio album, titled “Life Journey”, features newly-written, original songs and Russell’s turns on classics that resonate with the two-time GRAMMY winner as important to his musical trajectory. The album is produced by Tommy LiPuma and executive produced by Elton John, with whom Russell most recently collaborated for 2010’s critically acclaimed album, The Union.

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Leon Russell – Leon Russell And The Shelter People (1971/2013) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Studio Masters By admin · May 20, 2023 · Comments off

Leon Russell and The Shelter People is the 1971 gem by multi-instrumentalist and music icon Leon Russell. The album is comprised of eight Russell originals, two Dylan covers and Harrison’s “Beware of Darkness.” It is a full display of Russell’s gifts as an instrumentalist and his abilities to produce timeless Rock & Roll classics. Russell’s soulful talents shine through on the tracks “Of Thee I Sing,” “Home Sweet Oklahoma” and “She Smiles Like a River.” Leon Russell and The Shelter People finds Russell at his prime and is an important document in his illustrious career.

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Leon Russell – Carney (1972/2014) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

Studio Masters By admin · May 20, 2023 · Comments off

Leon Russell’s third album marked a change in direction. His first two releases were a sort of high-spirited revue, with numerous players and gospel-influenced backup singers. Where his self-titled debut and its follow-up (And The Shelter People) wedded blues, R&B, rock & roll, country and other genres, „Carney“ is a pared-down setting of equally well-endowed songs that make their mark in a much quieter manner. Russell’s first two albums had been veritable celebrations, but „Carney“ sounds more introspective. Some of Russell’s most loved songs made their first appearance here, including the often-covered ‘Tight Rope’ and ‘This Masquerade.’ Russell stayed introspective on his subsequent release „Will O’ The Wisp“, but „Carney“ remains one of his very finest efforts. The gorgeous songs and subtle arrangements make for a wonderfully sustained album experience.

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Leon Russell – Leon Russell And The Shelter People (1971) [Audio Fidelity 2016] SACD ISO

SACD / DSD By admin · May 11, 2023 · Comments off

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Leon Russell – Leon Russell (1970) [Japanese Limited SHM-SACD 2014] SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

SACD / DSD By admin · May 11, 2023 · Comments off

Leon Russell never quite hit all the right notes the way he did on his eponymous debut. He never again seemed as convincing in his grasp of Americana music and themes, never again seemed as individual, and never again did his limited, slurred bluesy voice seem as ingratiating. He never again topped his triptych of “A Song for You,” “Hummingbird,” and “Delta Lady,” nor did his albums contain such fine tracks as “Dixie Lullaby.” Throughout it all, what comes across is Russell’s idiosyncratic vision, not only in his approach but in his very construction — none of the songs quite play out as expected, turning country, blues, and rock inside out, not only musically but lyrically. Yes, his voice is a bit of an acquired taste, but it’s only appropriate for a songwriter with enough chutzpah to write songs of his own called “I Put a Spell on You” and “Give Peace a Chance.” And if there ever was a place to acquire a taste for Russell, it’s here.

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Leon Russell – Leon Russell (1970) [Audio Fidelity 2016] SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

SACD / DSD By admin · May 11, 2023 · Comments off

Leon Russell never quite hit all the right notes the way he did on his eponymous debut. He never again seemed as convincing in his grasp of Americana music and themes, never again seemed as individual, and never again did his limited, slurred bluesy voice seem as ingratiating. He never again topped his triptych of “A Song for You,” “Hummingbird,” and “Delta Lady,” nor did his albums contain such fine tracks as “Dixie Lullaby.” Throughout it all, what comes across is Russell’s idiosyncratic vision, not only in his approach but in his very construction – none of the songs quite play out as expected, turning country, blues, and rock inside out, not only musically but lyrically. Yes, his voice is a bit of an acquired taste, but it’s only appropriate for a songwriter with enough chutzpah to write songs of his own called “I Put a Spell on You” and “Give Peace a Chance.” And if there ever was a place to acquire a taste for Russell, it’s here.

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Elton John & Leon Russell – The Union (Deluxe Edition) (2010) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Studio Masters By admin · January 7, 2023 · Comments off

-Picked as the #3 album of 2010 by Rolling Stone
-Produced by Oscar® and Grammy® winner T Bone Burnett
-Debuted at #3 on Billboard’s Top 200 Chart

This stunning album pairs multiple Grammy® winner Elton John (one of the top-selling solo artists of all time, with over 250 million records sold) and legendary Grammy® winning pianist Leon Russell (who will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2011). Featuring guests Neil Young, Brian Wilson, Booker T. Jones, Robert Randolph, and a 10-piece gospel choir, it’s no wonder that The Union is one of the most critically acclaimed albums of 2010.

Two rock giants, one largely forgotten, rekindle a friendship and make music that ranks with their best.”Rolling Stone

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Leon Russell – Leon Russell And The Shelter People (1971/2013/2019) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Studio Masters By admin · November 13, 2019 · Comments off

Leon Russell’s accolades are monumental in a number of categories, from songwriting to session playing, to his solo work. Leon Russell and the Shelter People is the second solo album by the singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. This 1971 gem shot to No. 17 on the Billboard album charts.

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Willie Nelson & Leon Russell – One For The Road (1979) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Studio Masters By admin · November 10, 2016 · Comments off

One for the Road, Willie Nelson’s duet record with fellow American music maverick Leon Russell, followed months after his freewheeling, jam-heavy double album Willie and Family Live. This record (once a double LP, now a single CD) wasn’t recorded live and the songs run a little shorter, but it shares the same sort of loose spirit and easy-rolling eclecticism as the two, essentially backed by the Family, run through a mess of country and pop standards. The latter makes up for the second half and its appropriately a little more subdued feel, but it’s earthier than Stardust and it makes a good companion for the irresistible first half, which is often cheerfully rowdy (particularly on the dynamite opening triptych of “Detour,” “I Saw the Light,” and “Heartbreak Hotel”) and convincingly bluesy on the ballads and mid-tempo groovers like the excellent “Trouble in Mind.” Both Nelson and Russell are known as sharp interpreters of other people’s material, and teamed together, they might not reinvent these songs (though they come close on “Heartbreak Hotel”), but they infuse a lot of sound and spirit into these songs. It’s a little bit too laid-back and easy to qualify as a no-holds-barred classic (particularly on the second half), but that mellow charm is precisely why it’s a small, priceless gem for any serious fan of either singer. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine (more…)

Elton John & Leon Russell – The Union (2010) {Deluxe Edition} [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Studio Masters By admin · October 8, 2013 · Comments off

Elton John & Leon Russell – The Union (2010) {Deluxe Edition}
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 71:29 minutes | 1,59 GB
+ Full DVD (from CD Deluxe Edition) – Making Of, Directed by Cameron Crowe | 370 MB
Official Digital Download – Source: HDTracks.com | Scanned Booklet

The Union is a unique collaboration of two of the most talented artists in the music business. Combining forces and fusing diverse talents, John and Russell along with T. Bone Burnett have produced an extraordinary album. Recorded live in the studio with John and Russell on dueling pianos, the album features a variety of musical genres from R&B, soul, gospel, country, pop and rock. Icons Neil Young and Brian Wilson provide guest vocals on the 16-track record along with legendary R&B organist Booker T. Jones, steel guitarist Robert Randolph and a 10-piece gospel choir. Cameron Crowe has filmed the sessions for a documentary, creating too a moment of history as this is the first time that the genesis of Elton’s music has been recorded on film. Critics who have had an early preview of the album are united in praise for the work that Elton describes as a “Seventies record with a modern feel”. (more…)