Coming off of the “Mad Dogs and Englishmen” tour as musical director for Joe Cocker, Leon Russell’s exposure launched him into a new category. He was no longer the guy behind the scenes, but rather a star in his own right.

In the early ‘70s, Leon Russell and Elton John were prime competition for ‘Best Piano’ status. This album was a statement of sorts, displaying Russell’s penchant for raucous gospel and raw country music. He was one of a kind. I’ve never heard anyone else even remotely like him, and the power of his songwriting and interpretive skills are nowhere better on display than on this awesome album.

Featured tracks include:

Stranger in a Strange Land

Of Thee I Sing

A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall

Crystal Closet Queen

Home Sweet Oklahoma

Alcatraz

The Ballad of Mad Dogs and Englishmen

It Takes a Lot, to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry

She Smiles Like a River

Sweet Emily

Beware of Darkness 

May 1971 - Billboard Charted #17