Album Of The Week: Leon Russell's, Will O' the Wisp

Will O' The Wisp is the sixth studio album by Leon Russell. The album was released in 1975 on Shelter Records. It peaked at No. 30 on the Billboard albums chart and remained on the chart for 40 weeks. The album cover was designed and illustrated by artist and actor Gailard Sartain.

It features the hit single, "Lady Blue", which reached No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and the album was certified gold in 1976.

The ultimate rock and roll session man, Leon Russell’s long and storied career included collaborations with a virtual who’s who of music icons spanning from Jerry Lee Lewis to Phil Spector to the Rolling Stones. It was brought to life in his solo work as well. His charmingly gravelly voice was refined in a rustic yet rich swamp pop fusion of country, blues, and gospel. Born Claude Russell Bridges on April 2, 1942, in Lawton, Okla., he began studying classical piano at age three, a decade later adopting the trumpet and forming his first band.

At 14, Russell lied about his age to land a gig at a Tulsa nightclub, playing behind Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks before touring in support of Jerry Lee Lewis. Two years later, he settled in Los Angeles, studying guitar under the legendary James Burton and appeared on sessions with Dorsey Burnette and Glen Campbell.

As a member of Spector’s renowned studio group, Russell played on many of the finest pop singles of the ‘60s, also arranging classics like Ike and Tina Turner’s monumental “River Deep, Mountain High;” other hits bearing his input include the Byrds’ “Mr.Tambourine Man,” Gary Lewis and the Playboys’ “This Diamond Ring,” and Herb Alpert’s “A Taste of Honey.”

While touring with Delaney and Bonnie, he scored his first songwriting hit with Joe Cocker’s reading of “Delta Lady,” and in 1970, upon founding his own Shelter Records imprint, he also organized Cocker’s legendary Mad Dogs & Englishmen tour. After the tour film earned Russell his first real mainstream attention, he issued a self-titled solo LP, and in 1971 appeared at George Harrison’s Concert for Bangladesh following sessions for B.B. King, Eric Clapton, and Bob Dylan.

After touring with the Rolling Stones, Russell increasingly focused on his solo career. Reaching the number two spot with 1972’s Carney and scoring his first pop hit with the single “Tight Rope.” While the success of 1973’s three-LP set Leon Live further established his reputation as a top concert draw. The 1975 album Will O’ the Wisp restored his commercial luster, thanks in large part to the single “Lady Blue.”

After spending most of the next decade largely outside of music, he did not resurface until issuing the Bruce Hornsby-produced Anything Can Happen in 1992. Russell’s years in the wilderness outside of music ended again in 2010 when longtime admirer Elton John contacted the pianist about recording a duet album. The Union was greeted by strong reviews and sales, reviving Russell’s career in a single stroke.

After playing a joint tour with Elton John, Russell returned to the road on his own and eventually got around to recording a solo comeback called Life Journey, which appeared in April 2014. However, Russell’s health had been in decline, and he died in his sleep at his home in Nashville on Nov. 13, 2016.

Prior to his death, he completed an album of new recordings with producer Mark Lambert. These sessions came out as a On a Distant Shore in September 2017