A Song for Leon: A Tribute to Leon Russell

1970年代のUSサザン・ロック / スワンプ・ロックの重要人物、レオン・ラッセルのトリビュート・アルバムが、PRIMARY WAVE MUSICローレル・スターンズ企画の元、CDリリース!
USオルタナ伝説を語る上で外せないバンドPIXIESをはじめ、メグ・レミー率いるU.S. GIRLS とファンク大王BOOTSY COLLINSによる異色コラボ、ルイジアナ出身のソウルシンガー、DURAND JONES率いるDURAND JONES & THE INDICATIONS、現代アメリカーナ・シーンの代表的シンガーMARGO PRICEなどなど、超豪華なメンバーが参加しています。

A roots rock eccentric whose path often intersected with the mainstream, Leon Russell helped shape the sound and sensibility of rock & roll in the early 1970s, both as a singer/songwriter -- his "A Song for You" and "Superstar" became inescapable standards of the era -- and as a bandleader. His own records, as well as the albums he made with Joe Cocker -- he was the ringleader during the singers career-making Mad Dogs & Englishmen era -- defined the careening, soulful superstar aesthetic of the time, music that lived on through the work of such acolytes as Elton John. John isnt on A Song for You: A Tribute to Leon Russell. He helped spark a Russell revival while the pianist was still around, cutting the duet album The Union in 2010, a good 13 years prior to this 2023 tribute. This salute performs the essential function of introducing Russells music to a new generation of listeners, which means this record is rife with Americana and indie artists. The elder artists are Pixies, who throttle "Crystal Closet Queen" with affection, and Bootsy Collins, who provides a grinning counterpoint to US Girls on "Superstar." The remainder of the record features younger musicians who treat Russell with reverence -- generally, there are no grand reinterpretations of his music -- but are loose enough to have a good time with his shaggy blend of rock, soul, and country. That means each of the performances allows the singers personality to shine through without obscuring Russells inherent oddball nature. Orville Peck preens on "This Masquerade"; Bret McKenzie of Flight of the Conchords earnestly tackles "Back to the Island" with an assist from Preservation Hall Jazz Band; Margo Price sounds angelic on "Stranger in a Strange Land"; Durand Jones & the Indications tap into the murky swamp-R&B of "Out in the Woods," and Tina Rose and Amy Nelson -- the daughters of old partners Leon Russell and Willie Nelson, respectively -- give "Laying Right Here in Heaven" a cheerful funk. Then, theres Hiss Golden Messenger, who concludes the album by turning "Prince of Peace" into a reassuring, empathetic groove that seems to channel Russell without explicitly evoking him. Its an excellent way to end this fine tribute: The spirit of Russell lives on. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine