Leon Russell - The Best of Leon Russell (Audio CD - 2011)

Capitol's 2011 The Best of Leon Russell is a necessary addition to Russell's catalog in a number of way. Not only is it designed to hook in those listeners who discovered or rediscovered the eccentric pianist via The Union -- "†If It Wasn†t for Bad,†" a selection from that 2010 LP, is placed right up front among the 16 songs -- but Russell hasn†t had a compilation since 1997, when the Right Stuff released the single-disc Retrospective, a distillation of the previous year†s double-disc Gimme Shelter, so it†s time for a new disc. The Best of Leon Russell does its job very well, hitting all the obvious high points while downplaying his Hank Wilson records a little but stopping for a duet with Willie Nelson on "†Heartbreak Hotel†" and finding space for his "†Jumpin† Jack Flash/Youngblood†" medley from The Concert for Bangladesh. Perhaps there are certain eccentricities that could have been included but this best-of provides the basics in a thoroughly entertaining fashion.
Condition: NEW!

PRODUCT DETAILS

1 Tryin' to Stay 'Live 2:48
2 Shoot Out on the Plantation 3:00
3 If It Wasn't for Bad 3:42
4 A Song for You 4:06
5 Hummingbird 3:59
6 Tight Rope 2:59
7 Delta Lady 4:04
8 Stranger in a Strange Land 4:00
9 It's a Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall 5:06
10 This Masquerade 4:21
11 Out in the Woods 3:33
12 If I Were a Carpenter 3:48
13 Heartbreak Hotel 3:00
14 Lady Blue 3:31
15 Back to the Island 5:15
16 Jumpin Jack Flash/Youngblood Live 9:23