Leon Russell may have been The Master of Time and Space, but he wasn't averse to being down to earth, either.  Between 1979 and 1981, Russell teamed with the bluegrass band New Grass Revival for what he deemed "rhythm and bluegrass."  1981's The Live Album, recorded at Pasadena, California's Perkins Palace, preserved their collaboration.  Some 19 years later, another live album emerged: Live at Gilley's.  Recorded in Mickey Gilley's honky-tonk (as memorably immortalized in Urban Cowboy) in Pasadena, Texas - yes, another Pasadena! - Live at Gilley's only shared three songs in common with its predecessor.  That CD is long out-of-print, but Varese Sarabande has happily brought Live at Gilley's back to CD as well as limited-edition vinyl for Record Store Day this Saturday, April 13.

Live at Gilley's showcases another side of the onetime Wrecking Crew member and arranger who successfully reinvented himself as the piano-pounding bandleader and ringmaster of Joe Cocker's Mad Dogs and Englishmen rock and roll circus.  There's more than a touch here of Russell's Hank Wilson persona in which he covered famous honky-tonk tracks; in fact, some of the songs here were first performed by Russell as Hank Wilson.  The set was recorded near the end of Russell and New Grass Revival's association.

The taut, spirited 37-minute album was captured on 24 track tape at Gilley's.  It features Russell on electric piano and his trademark raspy, emotional vocals backed by Sam Bush on vocals/mandolin/fiddle/guitar, John Cowan on vocals/bass, Ambrose Campbell on beaded gourd/congas, Tom Britt on guitar/pedal steel, and Shamsi Sarumi on talking drum/congas.  The set primarily concentrated on country and bluegrass including energetic covers of Hank Snow's classic "I'm Movin' On," Bill Monroe's rapid-fire "Uncle Pen," Terry Fell's "Truck Drivin' Man" (the original 1954 version of which featured a young Buck Owens), and Sam Phillips and Herman Parker's "Mystery Train" as well as traditional folk tunes "In the Pines" and "Rollin' in My Sweet Baby's Arms."  But Russell made room for a number of his own favorites, revitalized in new, swampy arrangements.  He reached back for beautiful renditions of the timeless hits "Lady Blue" and "A Song for You" (the latter inspiring the audience's most vocal reactions) as well as for "My Cricket," "Cajun Love Song," and the rave-up "Prince of Peace."  The more recent "One More Love Song" got a new dimension via its prominent steel guitar.

Rhythm, blues, country, bluegrass, rock, and a dash of pop are all present on Live at Gilley's, a fine companion to Russell's other live albums.  Varese's reissue has been newly remastered by Steve Massie and features liner notes by Steve Todoroff, who has also supplied new photographs of the artist.  Bill Pitzonka has designed the package.  Look for this release today on CD and then in a limited edition pressing for Record Store Day tomorrow (Saturday, April 13) at your local independent music retailer.  Meanwhile, you'll find the track listing and order links for the CD just below.

Leon Russell, Live at Gilley's (Atlantic/Q 92903-2, 2000 - reissued Varese Sarabande VSD00087, 2019) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

1. Mystery Train
2. One More Love Song
3. Truck Drivin' Man
4. Cajun Love Song
5. My Cricket
6. I'm Movin' On
7. Lady Blue
8. In the Pines
9. A Song for You
10. Uncle Pen
11. Prince of Peace
12. Rollin' in My Sweet Baby's Arms