Leon Russell (album)

Leon Russell
Studio album by
Released23 March 1970 (1970-03-23)
RecordedSeptember 1969 – January 1970
Studio
Genre
Length38:06
LabelShelter (US)
A&M (UK)
ProducerDenny Cordell, Leon Russell
Leon Russell chronology
Look Inside the Asylum Choir
(1968)
Leon Russell
(1970)
Leon Russell and the Shelter People
(1971)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic
Christgau's Record GuideB+

Leon Russell is the debut solo album by the singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Leon Russell. It followed his debut with the Midnight String Quartet and a production by Russell and Marc Benno billed as the Asylum Choir.

"A Song for You", written by Russell for this album, is a slow, pained plea for forgiveness and understanding from an estranged lover. The tune is one of Russell's best-known compositions. It has been performed and recorded by over 200 artists, spanning many musical genres. Elton John has called the song an American classic.

On January 17, 2018, "A Song for You" was added to Grammy Hall of Fame.