One of the best interviews I've read! Filled in the blanks in my thirst to know about Leon Russell's style and career. Wow. The man was everywhere when things were happening.
RD: In the late '80s I was called in to sub for another harp player, a gig far removed from my Dallas home in a city named Gun Barrel CIty. An appropriate name for an area of East Texas awash in crack; you could smell them on certain windy days. Anyway, it was a duet with a keyboard player who had been on staff at Shelter in Tulsa. He had a bunch of Leon stories but the one that always stuck with me included a quote from the master: "Don't fuck around. Be ready to play."
One of my buddies, a great music writer himself, told me that "Leon was done in by women and real estate" as his recent bio suggests.
thanks always admired Leon for his distinctive intros and great dynamic with his arrangements stopping all performers for one of incredible fills. His voice fit his music so well. Nice to hear a bit of his musicianship.
I saw Leon at Cole Field House back in the early '70s. His opening act was ZZ Top. Great show.
I saw Van Cliburn play at Constitution hall in '60 or so, not long after his success in Moscow. My mother thought that if I saw Van play then I would somehow magically be able to play like he did.
That just didn't work out. But I sure liked how Leon played - hoowee!
Hello Robert. Wow, what a great and inspiring article this is. I am not a musician, but truly appreciate all your “musician stuff”questions to Leon and his answers as it made me realize the complexity and ingenuity of what he did. Talk about an artist determined to make his art! He was a joy to watch perform, but the only time I ever saw him do that was in Mad dogs and Englishmen but the impression he made on me stuck. Years after the film came out I wanted to get a DVD of it, but it doesn’t translate well on the small screen. I actually couldn’t sit through more than about a half hour of it. His composition and performance of “A song for You“ was gorgeous, which I would refer to when people talked about Donny Hathaway’s rendition. I like Donny Hathaway very much but nothing could compare to Leon’s version. Thanks again for posting this great piece.
Loved this man! I saw him in the 80s with NGR in a college hall in Grand Junction CO, better yet was working on the stage for a benefit he played in Aspen. I cherish the crew shirt I still have, though I'll never be able to wear it again!
I saw Leon play at the Cain' Ballroom, & saw him play at his birthday party, at the Brady Theater in Tulsa. There will never be another Leon.
Thanks for this. Got to see him do Mad Dogs & Englishmen tour on same bill with Hendrix at Devonshire Downs. They were the best part.
One of the best interviews I've read! Filled in the blanks in my thirst to know about Leon Russell's style and career. Wow. The man was everywhere when things were happening.
wow. an interview with a musician that's actually about their music.
RD: In the late '80s I was called in to sub for another harp player, a gig far removed from my Dallas home in a city named Gun Barrel CIty. An appropriate name for an area of East Texas awash in crack; you could smell them on certain windy days. Anyway, it was a duet with a keyboard player who had been on staff at Shelter in Tulsa. He had a bunch of Leon stories but the one that always stuck with me included a quote from the master: "Don't fuck around. Be ready to play."
One of my buddies, a great music writer himself, told me that "Leon was done in by women and real estate" as his recent bio suggests.
Great memoires from you. Thanks.....
“Goodtime Charlie’s got the Blues”
Leon sings that song, like so many, as if it was written just for him. It’s a favourite. “Hard Rain Gonna Fall” is another.
thanks always admired Leon for his distinctive intros and great dynamic with his arrangements stopping all performers for one of incredible fills. His voice fit his music so well. Nice to hear a bit of his musicianship.
I saw Leon at Cole Field House back in the early '70s. His opening act was ZZ Top. Great show.
I saw Van Cliburn play at Constitution hall in '60 or so, not long after his success in Moscow. My mother thought that if I saw Van play then I would somehow magically be able to play like he did.
That just didn't work out. But I sure liked how Leon played - hoowee!
I was always a fan of Leon.
Leon was a really special musical genius!!!
Thank you from this Okie
Hello Robert. Wow, what a great and inspiring article this is. I am not a musician, but truly appreciate all your “musician stuff”questions to Leon and his answers as it made me realize the complexity and ingenuity of what he did. Talk about an artist determined to make his art! He was a joy to watch perform, but the only time I ever saw him do that was in Mad dogs and Englishmen but the impression he made on me stuck. Years after the film came out I wanted to get a DVD of it, but it doesn’t translate well on the small screen. I actually couldn’t sit through more than about a half hour of it. His composition and performance of “A song for You“ was gorgeous, which I would refer to when people talked about Donny Hathaway’s rendition. I like Donny Hathaway very much but nothing could compare to Leon’s version. Thanks again for posting this great piece.
Loved this man! I saw him in the 80s with NGR in a college hall in Grand Junction CO, better yet was working on the stage for a benefit he played in Aspen. I cherish the crew shirt I still have, though I'll never be able to wear it again!
Best Leon Russell piece I ever read! Fascinating! Great work!Bravo! Sign me up!
Best Leon Russell piece I ever read! Fascinating! Great work!Bravo! Sign me up!
This is really fun.