Leon Russell Displays Versatility In Performance at Arts Center

by Marilyn Nason, The Post-Star, August 24, 1971

If Leon Russell epitomizes underground music, then there is one heck of a lot to be said for this relatively new American music form.

Last night at Saratoga Performing Arts Center he proved he a prolific composer, arranger and extraordinary pianist, as well as a passable singer. It was a disappointing crowd of 5,100. SPAC officials had expected double that number, but the extreme cold may have been a factor in keeping the crowd down.

Gifted Talent

Like all rock groups at SPAC, Russell was too loud with overamplification everywhere. But even this annoying loudness could not distort what is an extremely gifted talent. He can’t be called a teenager; in fact, he’s been around the music world a long time as back-up man and composer for just about all the top rock performers today.

He dealt largely with his own songs from the moment he came on stage alone to play and sing his “Wild Horses,” recently getting great play by the Rolling Stones.

His music, when not in the total hard rock vein, is a strangely appealing mixture of soft rock with a touch of Motown Sound and even elements verging on the classical. His sense of rhythm and arrangements for the five musicians and girl singer working with him proved what years of backing other performers had taught him.

The audience got their money’s worth. He went on for well over an hour despite the increasing cold so you could even see his breath as he sang and talked.

Of special interest to the electronically minded is Russell’s use of his own invention, an electrostatic pickup on the piano strings. This small mechanism allows the piano to compete successfully in the deafening decibels race with electric guitars and drums. It appears this would have some very interesting possibilities beyond the straight rock field.

Let it be said anyone at SPAC last night heard some of the best jazz-rock piano ever presented on that stage.

As for his appearance, he sure showboats it. He has long straight blond hair down to his waist, plus a mustache, and he wore white pants and shoes and a formal black velvet coat.

Straight Rock

Opening the show was an unusual group for SPAC: Fanny, four young gals in the straight rock vein. Playing guitars, drum and organ-piano, they again were too loud for those in the theater. But as an opening act, they really were not bad. They sang well, played their instruments with gusto and it would certainly seem the girls have as much right to invade the instrumental side of rock music as any other entertainment aspect.

Tonight SPAC will be dark. Tomorrow at 8:30 p.m. the much-awaited Handel’s “Messiah” with the Philadelphia Orchestra conducted by William Smith, will be offered. Singing will be the Capitol Hill Choral Society with Evelyn Mandac, soprano; Batyah Godfrey, contralto; Seth McCoy, tenor; and Simon Estes, bass.