Concert review: Leon Russell at Dan’s Silverleaf (October 29)

by J.B. Hawkins

DENTON — As I strolled into one of Denton’s most tenured venues this evening, I witnessed what appeared to be a time warp: Young and old alike were grooving to the classic sound of the legendary session man, Leon Russell. Historically, the blues-rock legend has played with notable musicians ranging from Jerry Lee Lewis to Phil Spector to the Rolling Stones, and his set this evening was a staunch reference to the classic era of rock and roll and blues most modern genres of music spawned from.

Making my way through the packed crowd, it amazed me the extent to which Russell and his seasoned group of players captivated not only an older (nay I say geriatric, and “baby boomer” crowd), but also a more “contemporary” audience that could easily be the grandchildren of Russell himself. Indeed, Russell’s set would have made your grandparents leap out their rockers and join you (the younger readers) in a classic blues-dive party dance.

With Jackie Wessel on bass guitar, Chris Simmons on lead guitar, Brandon Holder on drums, Brian Lee on auxillary keys, and Russell on electric piano, the group tore through a blistering hour and a half set that would have made Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Guy, and Willie Nelson all raise their glasses in a classic cheers in homage of rock and roll and its storied beginnings.

For me, a “newbie” to Russell’s live set, one of the gems of the night was a cover of the Rolling Stones “Wild Horses” off of their 1971 album Sticky Fingers. The rhythm section was so solid that it seemingly made it easy for Russell, Wessel, Simmons, and Lee to soar over the beat with an insane four-part harmony that had the whole venue singing at the top of their lungs.

Because Russell and his band have the distinct propensity to layback, rock, and/or groove in an epic fashion, it was such a startling surprise when the set slowed to a crawl in order to make way for Simmons (lead guitar) to don his slide and do his own solo cover of Robert Johnson’s “Walkin’ Blues.” His guitar work was spot on, and his vocal performance was akin to what Eric Clapton might have done if covering the same tune. Witnessing this was probably my favorite part of the show. This was quickly followed by a solo ballad courtesy of the auxiliary keyboardist, Lee, (who happens to be blind).

By the end of the set, I suppose Leon and the guys didn’t think there was enough rocking, so they closed with a stellar version of Jerry Lee Lewis’ classic hit “Great Balls of Fire” (originally written by Otis Blackwell and Jack Hammer). The whole band rocked and Simmons did his best Buddy Guy impression with the solo. Every one in the bar stood up and danced their tails off while singing their hearts out as if they were all catapulted back into 1957.

During the happy crowd’s standing ovation, and as Russell walked off the stage sporting his classic long, white beard and cowboy hat with cane in tow -- he is 67 years old after all -- looking like a pure Texas Santa Claus, I couldn’t help but think Christmas had come early for Denton. The only thing missing might have been a miniature sleigh and 8 tiny reindeer … rockin’ around the Christmas tree.

J.B. Hawkins is a pop culture analyst based in Denton.

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