Did it again… adopted still another WordPress theme: Elegant Grunge. We were supposed to go to Sea Shanties last night, but when Tim came home from work bone tired, and with more work to do, I assured him I would be more than happy to keep myself amused playing with the new theme…
After Tim left for work this morning I rolled up my sleeves and got started on all the chores that were neglected yesterday. A little later he called and told me to come to the door because he was going to drop off a surprise for me. He had been to Starbucks and handed me the new CD, Elton John/Leon Russell/The Union! It was all I could do to finish up in the kitchen and run up here to listen to it, which I am doing as I write this. It’s fantastic!!!
A little history… When I was a teenager I had a HUGE crush on Leon Russell. The way he played the piano, his long silvery dirty blond hair, and that bizarre voice! Most of all, the intensity in his eyes when performing. A Song for You can still bring me to tears. It’s hard to believe he’s 68 years old now.
I love you in a place where there’s no space or time
I love you for my life ’cause you’re a friend of mine
~ Leon Russell
♫ (A Song for You) ♫
Well, as it turns out, Leon Russell was Elton John’s “biggest influence.” Elton says on the album notes: “…Leon was my man, he was the master as far as I was concerned.” Also, “his music takes me back to one of the most beautiful and fantastic times of my life. It’s not fair that people have forgotten about how wonderful this man’s music was and that makes me angry.” I agree!
Who can forget Leon Russell’s amazing performance at George Harrison’s Concert for Bangladesh? Hearts Have Turned to Stone is playing now – great stuff! Elton John used to open for Leon Russell. Another treat for the ears, Neil Young singing with Elton and Leon on one track, Gone To Shiloh. It’s also remarkable that Leon had brain surgery only weeks before they recorded this album. Perhaps that experience inspired the final, beautiful song he wrote on this CD.
And they knew all the places
I needed to go
All of the people
I needed to know
They knew who I needed
And who needed me
And who would come help me
And who would just let me be
I was in the hands of angels
Until this very day
Inside the hands of angels
What more can I say
~ Leon Russell
♫ (The Hands Of Angels) ♫
After I post this I’m going to burn the album onto my iPod and then, when I’m sure the neighbors are up for the day, play it loud and get some work done around here! Thank you, Elton John, for giving your idol the recognition he so well deserves! And thank you, Tim, my angel.
What a wondrous gift! I was an Elton John fan but not so much Leon Russell, some how I missed his music…
It’s a mystery to me how many good musicians get overlooked. Perhaps there are so many of them it’s impossible for them all to have a chance to stand out and get noticed. I bet it’s the same for all people who create…
I wish my slow internet connection would allow me to watch your video. So nice to get an unexpected gift, and such a thoughtful one at that! I don’t know Leon Russell either, but have many happy memories that accompany Elton John’s songs.
I wish you could have watched the video, too, Cait. 🙁 Elton John’s songs are part of many happy (and a few sad) memories in my life, too. I’m glad he decided to honor his mentor. It’s often surprising to learn who inspired and idolized who in the music world!
I was able to watch today – thanks Barbara. I really like what I heard of their music together at the end!
🙂
A lovely gift from your husband…a lovely new blog design! Wishing you many evenings filled with good music…
Thank you, Kathy! 🙂
I’ve never heard Leon Russell, either Barb! Would it have anything to do with being a young child when Elton John first became popular? I remember being about 5 years old and loving “Benny and the Jets” and begging my father play it – on a 33 1/3 vinyl record, of course! Thanks for the memories today.
I guess I am a little bit older than you, Karen! 🙂 I liked “Benny & The Jets,” too – so many of Elton John’s songs are catchy and memorable, although I never actually bought one of his albums. But when Leon Russell’s “Retrospective” was released on CD in 1997 I was probably the first person in town to buy it! And now I have this one of them together…
Oh I am one who had forgotten about Leon Russell…what a neat treat – Thank you for sharing
Well, Patricia, since you had forgotten Leon Russell, at least that means you did know him at one time! 🙂 I know he wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea, perhaps that’s one of the reasons I’m still so amazed to find out that he was/is Elton John’s mentor and idol…