Combs Spouts Off

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Posts Tagged ‘leon russell’

Leon Russell and Eric Clapton

Posted by Richard on April 30, 2018

So, the other day I posted a video of Leon Russell and New Grass Revival. Here’s a different side of Leon. Oh yeah, and this guy named Clapton plays some nice guitar, too. Expand the description (click Show More).

Supposedly, this was recorded in either Leon’s apartment or apartment basement in Tulsa, OK, in 1974. But someone in the comments claims it was in some church instead. I’m thinking the acoustics sound more like an apartment, or maybe a basement, than a church (unless it’s one of those strip mall churches with the acoustic tile ceiling).

Anyway, you need to turn up the volume; it’s on the low side, the price you pay for good dynamic range.


[YouTube link]

UPDATE: OK, here’s a bonus. As I was writing this post, I thought I’d listen to some more Leon Russell. I ran across this version of “A Song for You,” which I think is in the running for best love song written in the past century. I still prefer the spare, atmospheric album version I posted here, but this is the best live version I’ve heard.


[YouTube video]

UPDATE 2: One more. This video is from Leon’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 2011. If Leon’s thanks to Elton John don’t bring a tear to your eye, you have a heart of stone. This version of “A Song for You,” with John Mayer on guitar, is pretty great, too.


[YouTube video]

UPDATE 3: Have to share this one too. It’s another performance with New Grass Revival, and it’s a better version of “Wild Horses” than the Stones’. Fantastic piano, banjo, and mandolin.


[YouTube video]

Yeah, I’m thinking of renaming this blog “Remembering Leon Russell.” Someone’s got to do it.

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Leon Russell and New Grass Revival 1980 live concert

Posted by Richard on April 29, 2018

A friend recently shared with a bunch of us a YouTube link to a fine album by the Dillards with Byron Berline, and that got me looking for some tasty bluegrass by New Grass Revival (with the incomparable Sam Bush) to share back. I happened upon this amazing hour-long concert video.

It starts with Leon solo doing Judy Garland as only Leon can. And then he and New Grass Revival proceed to romp through about every genre you can think of: Beatles, bluegrass, country, gospel, rock, pop… They do “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” like you’ve never heard it before. The set is fantastic, and the encores are even better. Enjoy!


[YouTube link]

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Leon Russell, R.I.P.

Posted by Richard on November 13, 2016

I was terribly saddened this morning to learn that Leon Russell died last night. He was a tremendous singer, songwriter, and musician, and one of my all-time favorite artists. He was 74, and his death comes much too soon.

Leon Russell was also Sir Elton John’s idol and biggest musical influence. In 2010, the two of them reconnected and recorded a highly-acclaimed album, The Union. See my post about that to learn more and listen to just a few of my favorite Leon Russell performances. It includes Jumpin’ Jack Flash / Young Blood from the Concert for Bangladesh, one of the finest live performances ever recorded, a ten-minute tour de force.

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Zac Brown Band with Leon Russell

Posted by Richard on January 27, 2011

Good morning! You look a little sleepy. Are you moving a bit slowly this morning? Well, I've got just the cure. Get yourself a good cup of coffee, turn up the volume as much as you dare, and check this out: a medley of "America the Beautiful," Leon Russell's "Dixie Lullaby," and "Chicken Fried" from the 2010 Grammy Awards show. Guaranteed to get your blood pumping.

I've been getting back into country music lately, and the Zac Brown Band is definitely one of the reasons. If they're new to you, check out the original full-length video of "Chicken Fried" (sorry, embedding is disabled; you'll have to hit that link to YouTube).

Then check out some of their other stuff, like "Toes" — one of the coolest songs and funniest videos I've heard and seen in a long time. Catchy melody and great lyrics. It starts like this:

I've got my toes in the water, ass in the sand
Not a worry in the world, a cold beer in my hand
Life is good today, life is good today

And the twist on that verse at the end is just perfect. Enjoy!

Then, for a serious change of pace — and only if you don't mind getting a little verklempt — watch "Highway 20 Ride." And read the two highest-rated comments. If that doesn't move you, you have a heart of stone.

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Rediscovering Leon Russell

Posted by Richard on December 11, 2010

I’ve admired Elton John and his music since Tumbleweed Connection (1970). But this year, he did something that increased my esteem for him considerably. No, I’m not talking about performing at Rush Limbaugh’s wedding (although I did enjoy seeing the left become apoplectic at the news that Sir Elton and Rush got along famously).

No, I’m talking about the fact that Sir Elton remembered his idol and biggest musical influence, Leon Russell — who had fallen into complete obscurity — reconnected with him, and persuaded him that they should record an album together. Here’s Sir Elton telling the short version of the story (he tells the long version in a 4-page essay in the CD booklet):


[YouTube link]

I’m listening to the resulting album, The Union, as I write this, and it’s terrific. But the story is even more terrific, and I don’t mind telling you it brought a tear to my eye and some wonderful memories to my heart. It also caused me to reconnect with Leon Russell’s marvelous music from the 70s. I have all those albums on vinyl — I have tons of vinyl — but have never found the time and energy to rip them to digital form. Now I’ve bought several of them on CD.

If you’re under 40 (or maybe even 45), you may have never heard of Leon Russell. Well, allow me to introduce you to a bit of his work. “Back to the Island” is the song that made Sir Elton weep. It’s one of my favorites, too.


[YouTube link]

“A Song for You” has probably been covered by more artists than any other Leon Russell song, ranging from Ray Charles to Karen Carpenter. It’s one of the most beautiful love songs I know, and I still think the original studio recording, with its spare instrumentation and haunting air, is the best of them all.


[YouTube link]

Now for something more upbeat. The iconic Leon Russell song is “Stranger in a Strange Land,” from one of my all-time favorite albums, Leon Russell and the Shelter People.


[YouTube link]

I’ll finish with a live recording. A commenter at YouTube called this “The ten greatest minutes in rock n roll history.” It’s certainly one of the greatest live performances. From 1971’s Concert for Bangladesh, here’s “Jumpin’ Jack Flash/Young Blood.” Turn it up!


[YouTube link]

I hope those gems will motivate you to buy some Leon Russell music. I’m sure you’ll be glad you did.

UPDATE (13 Nov 2016): Leon Russell died last night. I’m terribly saddened.

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