On 25th August, Primary Wave are releasing A Song For Leon: A Tribute To Leon Russell, featuring a series of Leon Russell’s best works covered by the likes of Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Pixies, U.S. Girls, Orville Peck, and Hiss Golden Messenger (see tracklist below).
Russell, described as the ultimate session man, dipped his toe in many musical genres, from swamp pop to folk, and rock to gospel, and racked up an impressive list of collaborations over his 60-year career that included The Beach Boys, Frank Sinatra, Eric Clapton, Joe Cocker, George Harrison, Ray Charles, Bob Marley, Neil Young, Tom Petty, Sir Elton John, The Rolling Stones and J.J. Cale and more.
His influence was also far-reaching. In 2014, we interviewed fellow Oklahoma songsmith John Fullbright (around the release of his ‘Songs‘ album), who said of Russell:
“Leon Russell was a pivotal artist for me. Right about the time as a teenager that I was about to give up on the piano because I thought it wasn’t cool, that’s when someone handed me a Leon Russell record…No one ever played me that stuff, because it was counter culture, but when I heard that record I just had to ask, ‘Why would you hold this back because this is just the coolest thing ever?’…”
In 2019, Primary Wave partnered with the Estate of Leon Russell to acquire a stake in the legendary singer and songwriter’s music catalogue. This latest offering aims to showcase the impact of Leon Russell’s songs, highlight other versions of his music to existing fans and to also bring new fans into the fold by highlighting how many of today’s rising musicians have taken inspiration from him.
Taken from the album, Stranger In A Strange Land, covered by Margo Price, was released this week.
A Song For Leon: A Tribute To Leon Russell Tracklisting
SIDE A
1. Stranger In A Strange Land
(Margo Price)
2. Out In The Woods
(Durand Jones & The Indications)
3. Tight Rope
(Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats)
4. This Masquerade
(Orville Peck)
5. Superstar
(U.S. Girls & Bootsy Collins)
SIDE B
1. Crystal Closet Queen
(Pixies)
2. A Song For You
(Monica Martin)
3. Back To The Island
(Bret McKenzie & The Preservation Hall Jazz Band)
4. Laying Right Here In Heaven
(Tina Rose, Amy Nelson & Jason Hill)
5. “Prince Of Peace
(Hiss Golden Messenger)