Leon Russell - A Song for You
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Leon Russell - A Song for You Customer Reviews
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♥♥♥♥♥ |
Not Bad, But Could Have Been Excellent
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I believe it was Cher (of all people) who was asked a few years ago what her favorite musical memory from her never-ending career was. Her response was watching a very drunk (and possibly unclothed - can't remember that detail) Leon Russell dancing on a grand piano during a mid 60s recording session. It's too bad that no film from that little episode was available for inclusion on this DVD, as it would have fit nicely with its' narrated documentary feel.
Fans of Leon are just going to have to wait a little longer for a truly definitive DVD to hit the market. In the meantime, this one does a nice job serving as either an introduction to the uninitiated and as a decent career summary for fans.
My biggest problem with the DVD is pretty much the same as other reviewers have stated - the inclusion of a little too much footage from the 90s and not enough from the prime early to mid 70s era. Granted there is some very nice footage of Leon and the "Shelter People" in a TV studio playing songs from his first solo album, but there isn't nearly enough film of Leon and his full band in a true concert setting. During the early 70s, Leon was one of the top concert acts in the entire country! For those of us who never got to see Leon until he was part of Willie Nelson's band, video from those earlier days is a holy grail of sorts. That criticism aside, the concert footage included here is (cheesy effects aside) absolutley riviting - especially Jumpin' Jack Flash.
I also have some minor issues with a few mistated facts that crop up in the packaging and as part of the narration. Who ever wrote the liner notes on the packaging refers to Leon's career as "illustrious, yet almost anonymous". Is he kidding? He obviously wasn't around during that (although somewhat brief) time in the early 70s when Leon was HUGE! He was arguably as popular and as well known as any rock star on the planet! And then there's that ever popular trend of assuming that Leon's song "Roll Away the Stone" is the same tune recorded by Mott the Hoople. It's not. Why didn't someone just take 5 minutes and listen to those songs before including that in the script? A little fact checking never hurts when researching someone's career for a project like this.
Petty grievances aside, any one watching this DVD can't help but be impressed by the astounding number of major artists Leon has played for, written for, or produced. The list starts with former Beatles, the Stones, the Beach Boys and just gets longer and better. And the songs! "This Masquerade", "A Song for You", and "Superstar" can't be considered anything but modern standards! And don't even try to start naming all the great rock songs Russell's written - there's just too many.
No doubt, this is worth having in your collection. I just can't help but think it could have been that much better with a little more vault raiding and research. In the meantime, I'll just hope that more concert video from '71 or '72 is out there somewhere and that it will make it onto DVD eventually. That is something I'll stand in line to buy! |
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Leon Russell - A Song for You dvd movie.