One For The Road (1979)
Not A Live Album, Despite All Appearances
Another dose of Leon. For years I thought this release was a live album. In reality, One For The Road is a collection of classics and chestnuts, recorded with Willie’s Family of touring musicians, who infuse this loose, friendly gathering with hints of Texas swing, cowboy music, C&W, down home country rock and enough professional ease to make it a favorite of anyone who can appreciate an easy-going, multi-genre mash. The second half, more of a Willie album really, turns mainstream, easy-country trad (along the lines of Nelson’s Stardust) but the mood prevails. Willie was, at the time, in the midst of his mid-70s bevy of essential releases, while Leon – on the other hand – was struggling for attention after a couple of ‘wedding’ albums with his new wife (spouses… often the kiss of artistic death), which failed to ignite substantial interest or curiosity. Hearing them together is a blessing and sounds so natural it’s a surprise there weren’t a series of collaborations between the two. Originally a double album that ended up as a single CD, it’s at Amazon (nicely priced @ $4.99 new, with free mp3s, HERE). We’ve got more Willie around here, including Me And The Drummer (HERE), Willie Nelson & Family (HERE) and Nelson’s essential, Teatro (HERE). Plus some of Leon’s work as Hank Wilson (HERE).
Detour (2:27)
I Saw The Light (3:07)
Heartbreak Hotel (3:05)
Let The Rest Of The World Go By (3:50)
Trouble In Mind (2:42)
Don’t Fence Me In (2:28)
The Wild Side Of Life (3:25)
Ridin’ Down The Canyon (2:23)
Sioux City Sue (3:17)
You Are My Sunshine (2:52)
Danny Boy (4:00)
Always (2:19)
Summertime (2:30)
Because Of You (2:07)
Am I Blue (2:19)
Tenderly (4:02)
Far Away Places (3:11)
That Lucky Old Sun (2:41)
Stormy Weather (2:26)
One For My Baby And ‘One More For The Road’ (2:33)
6 Comments
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Leon & Willie – so great! Thanks
Thanx W…This is one of the pieces of vinyl I let go (foolishly) in my digitally induced state of temporary insanity back in the 80s. I liked this so much I bought a copy for my dad, my in-laws and put it on cassette for several more friends.
These guys were meant to play together, and I agree with your surprise that this didnt recur anytime. I would love to hear them doing some stuff that sounded more like a Leon album (ie Will o’ the Wisp) just for fun.
They chose some great material for this one…Lucky Old Sun stood out for me, as did Heartbreak Hotel, Detour and Ridin down the Canyon. And one can never have too many versions of Stormy Weather or Summertime.
Al
Ooo YES! I have this on vinyl, much like KDNYfm above (except that I still have it), but have never seen it on CD, so thank you. “I Saw The Light” here is a highlight.
Would love any more Leon Russell you see fit to post!
Loved this in vinyl – one of the ones I really missed after the “Great basement flood of 1995″ wiped out my vinyl collection.
Regards, Dave.
Ahhh… The Great Basement Flood of ’95. We’ll hang our heads in memory (there, but for the grace of God…).