Plain and Fancy: Leon Russell - Will O' The Wisp (1975 us, warm adventurous enjoyable firmly rooted in rock and pop tradition)

Monday, May 25, 2026

Leon Russell - Will O' The Wisp (1975 us, warm adventurous enjoyable firmly rooted in rock and pop tradition)

With jazz and country meanderings apparently out of his system, Leon Russell has returned to a solid rock footing and made his best album since the three-year-old Carney. Distinguished by some of the singer’s most striking and seemingly most deeply felt compositions, Will o’ the Wisp also profits from superb use of synthesizer, a complementary Russell/Denny Cordell production, Mary McCreary’s multitracked backup vocals, and instrumental assists from Jim Horn, Steve Cropper, J.J. Cale, and others. Particularly on the album’s dream-like romantic excursions - e.g., “Little Hideaway,” “Back to the Island”, Russell solidifies his position as one of rock’s most important and distinctive creators.

by Jeff Burger, July 9, 1975

Tracks

1. Will O' The Wisp - 0:55

2. Little Hideaway - 4:18

3. Make You Feel Good - 2:10

4. Can't Get Over Losing You - 6:31

5. My Father's Shoes - 4:20

6. Stay Away From Sad Songs - 4:08

7. Back To The Island - 5:25

8. Down On Deep River - 4:00

9. Bluebird - 3:59

10.Laying Right Here In Heaven - 2:55

11.Lady Blue - 3:32

All compositions by Leon Russell

Musicians

*Leon Russell - Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Piano, Clavinet, RMI Electronic Pian, Organ, Synthesizer, Lead Guitar, Electric Guitar, Dobro Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Percussion, Vibraphone

*J. J. Cale - Electric Guitar

*Steve Cropper - Electric Guitar, Slide Guitar

*Don Preston - Electric Guitar

*Donald Dunn - Bass Guitar

*Patrick Henderson - Organ, Tambourine

*Bobby Manuel - Electric Guitar

*Tommy Allsup - Electric Guitar Solos, Acoustic Guitar

*Masako Hirayama - Biwa

*Carl Radle - Bass Guitar

*Teddy Jack Eddy - Drums

*Al Jackson Jr. - Drums, Percussion

*Richard "Moon" Calhoun - Drums, Drum Ending