COUNTRY

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Artist: Leon Russell Title: "Legends in My Time" Label: Ark21 Reviewed By: Donn Jehs Rating:

Only someone as talented as Leon Russell could create a completely unique persona to express his country side. Hank Wilson once again surfaces, along with a number of guests, to cover some  old country favorites. In the vein of Willie Nelson,  with a crusty but catchy voice,  Leon/Hank  delivers the goods with a slightly exaggerated country swagger that says, 'I'm enjoying myself. How about you?' "I chose these songs because at a certain point, these songs become a part of history, " says Russell of songs such as "Sixteen Tons, " "Sweet Dreams," and "Okie From Muskogie."  Russell gives them a renewed freshness and his personal style makes these country standards take on a whole new appeal. "Sixteen Tons" has usually been a favorite of deep-voiced singers yet Leon's raspy voice sounds right at home as a man who 'owes his soul to the company store'. In contrast, Willie Nelson's "Night Life" is well suited to his bluesy wail. Honky-tonk style piano and vocals punctuate "Act Naturally", almost a tongue-in-cheek expression of his own Hank Wilson persona. Another Nelson hit, "Sweet Dreams," comes off a little overdone, but has a nice instrumental bridge.  The "Oak Ridge Boys" join Leon on "Daddy Sang Bass" to offer their unique vocals at the appropriate moments along with the background chorus. In the first collaboration since 1979's "Willie and Leon," Russell and Nelson sing a duet on "He Stopped Loving Her Today". Leon's voice makes Willie's seem smooth by comparison, but I liked that they chose new territory instead of covering another of Nelson's songs. "Mama Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To be Cowboys" starts out well but hiccups toward the end as he wanders off the tune for just a moment. Coincidentally, the album itself slips away a little on "Funny How Time Slips Away," which lacks the depth that the rest of the cuts seem to have. In contrast, the Country boy common sense suffuses "Okie From Muskogie" and the blues of "Crazy" are right on the money. T. Graham Brown joins Leon on "Love's Gonna Live Here Again" and the final cut "Legend in My Time". In another duet with Jimmy Snyder ("He'll Have to Go"), the handing off of vocals is used very effectively as the story is told of two men who each tell their common sweetheart to get rid of the other. Hank Wilson has made too few appearances as far as I'm concerned. But he has shown up just enough to be a legend in my mind.

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