Song of the Day #6,231: ‘Tight Rope’ – Leon Russell

Returning to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2011, our next featured inductee is singer-songwriter and highly sought after session musician Leon Russell.

Russell was born in Lawton, Oklahoma, where an injury during childbirth led to minor paralysis on the right side of his body. His piano playing had to favor his left hand, resulting in his distinctive sound. He moved to Los Angeles in the 60s and played with a laundry list of artists way too long to name here. Think of somebody famous and he likely showed up on at least one of their songs.

Continue reading

Song of the Day #1,939: ‘Gone to Shiloh’ – Elton John & Leon Russell

the_union_elton_johnI had planned to finish out this week with a cut from Elton John’s newest album, The Diving Board, produced by T Bone Burnett and described as a return to John’s piano-bass-and-drums sound of the 70s.

But I can’t find a clip of ‘My Quicksand,’ the track John singles out in Rolling Stone, on YouTube. I did stumble upon a fan covering the track with his best Elton John impersonation, but it’s not quite the same.

Continue reading