It's a little problematic to put together a compilation of such an album-oriented artist. But unless you're very deeply into the Leon Russell catalog, this two-CD, 40-track best-of will serve as a retrospective of all that you need, largely covering his work from the first half of the '70s (a couple of songs from his 1992 Virgin album are also included) and featuring his best-known hits, big and small. It's a well-done tour through his blend of swamp rock, gospel, and bits of blues and country, with material from eight of his Shelter LPs, including the one he recorded in 1969 as part of the Asylum Choir. Interesting rarities include a 1974 single of "Wild Horses," a 1970 cover of Dylan's "She Belongs to Me" that only showed up on a compilation, and a folk-rockish 1965 single for Dot.
CD1 (01:09:32)
01. Hello Little Friend 02:51
02. Sweet Home Chicago 03:20
03. Tryin' To Stay Alive 02:46
04. Ballad for a Soldier 04:23
05. A Song for You 04:05
06. Dixie Lullaby 02:32
07. Hummingbird 03:58
08. Delta Lady 04:04
09. Pisces Apple Lady 02:46
10. Old Masters (Masters of War) 01:24
11. Stranger in a Strange Land 04:00
12. Crystal Closet Queen 02:57
13. Home Sweet Oklahoma 03:26
14. She Smiles Like a Lady 02:57
15. Beware of Darkness 04:34
16. Tight Rope 02:55
17. Me & Baby Jane 03:53
18. Manhattan Island Serenade 03:25
19. Magic Mirror 04:54
20. This Masquerade 04:22
CD2 (01:12:09)
01. Roll Away the Stone 03:56
02. Prince of Peace 04:28
03. Sweet Emily 03:09
04. Roll in My Sweet Baby's Arms 04:25
05. She Thinks I Still Care 04:26
06. In the Jailhouse 02:54
07. If I Were a Carpenter 03:45
08. Leaving Whipperorwhill 03:51
09. Time for Love 03:48
10. Will O' the Wisp 00:55
11. Little Hideaway 04:17
12. Back to the Island 05:00
13. Bluebird 03:55
14. Lady Blue 03:31
15. She Belongs to Me 03:21
16. Wild Horses 03:32
17. Anything Can Happen 04:00
18. Faces of the Children 03:54
19. Everybody's Talking 'Bout the Young 01:48
20. It's Alright With Me 03:14
