Leon Russell - Gimme Shelter (40 tracks) +Album Reviews

New fan loves unique, free-spirited Leon Russell

kbest444@gladstone.uoregon.edu | Oregon | 12/07/1998

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Until recently I did not know Leon Russel even existed. Now I know that this is not uncommon, since many people do not know about him. This is unfortunate, because Leon Russell has played a huge influential roll in the formation of popular music in the last thirty years.This compilation of Leon's best works shows why Leon deserves more attention than he has recieved. Upbeat and fun, yet insighful tunes like "Hello Little Friend","Tight Rope" and "She Smiles Just Like a River" get you in a sing-a-long-without-caring-about-tone mood, while songs like "Magic Mirror" and "Humming Bird" make you appreciate the talented musician/composer/lyricist that is Leon Russel. Also has great renditions of Bob Dylan's "Old Masters (Masters of War)" and "She Belongs To Me", and George Harrison's "Beware of Darkness".Included is an entertaining and informational 10-12 page booklet outlining Leon's career. On the whole, this compilation is very rich in musical and lyrical content. It definitely has me hooked, and probably will for a long time to come."

Leon Russell Should Not Be Forgotten - What a Major Talent

Patrick Crain | 07/10/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is his finest recording of Prince of Peace. I had a band that toured college campuses from 1973-1975. It was pure raw energy. What times ! People were still actually thinking from the 60's. We always opened with CSN&Y's "Long Time Gone". Somewhere in the second set we always hit "Prince of Peace" and then worked up to "Stranger In A Strange Land" when the back-up singers were in that zone beyond time and space. I loved this guy. Where is that Spirit today ? Change the world or die. There should be a major world religion founded on the music of Leon Russell. When I die and go through the tunnel to the light I hope the sound track playing is something from this albumn. If God is into this guy, the entire universe will eventually turn out all right."

Awesome! Essential!

Patrick Crain | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma United States | 10/10/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For the curious or the already initiated, this set is a must. Like most greatest hits packages, there are omissions here and there ("Shootout on the Plantation" and the studio version of "Roll Away the Stone" should be included) but, with the exception of the two cuts from "Anything Can Happen," there is nothing here that isn't great (although some people might have wanted to ditch the bizarre "Masters of War". . .I happen to love it). The only problem with this set is that Leon has another, less inspired page to his resume that has gone digitally uncovered. This is not fault of Leon's though, Warner Brothers won't take the time or spend the dough to remaster and release "The Wedding Album," "Make Love to the Music," "Americana," "Life and Love," and "The Live Album: Leon Russell and the New Grass Revival." Gee, you'd think Rhino would have a field day putting these albums out as twofers and you'd think there are enough Leon Lifers out there that would snatch them up. While those late seventies and early eighties years weren't as prolific or as brilliant as the stuff here, it would still make a fascinating listen and is proably well worth putting out there for public consumption. Legal and techical stuff aside, this set rocks and would be perfect to put on while conducting a long, cross country road trip. If you dig early seventies Rolling Stones, do yourself a favor and get into Leon Russell."

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