Stranger in a Strange Land by Leon Russell

[AKAdaJoker14]

I had crossed the line. I was free; but there was no one to welcome me to the land of freedom. I was a stranger in a strange land-

Harriet Tubman

[6decaderocker]

ive never forgoten leon, never will. will listen to this until i die. thanks so much for the memories and good times leon!

[irishsetterarchie]

Leon and particularily this recording has become even more revelant to my world today. Leon is a national treasure!

[steveY2K1]

Master of space and Time...!

[tbagolish]

Oh he recovered. I saw him for the first time, it was recently so I guess it was post op. Me I could have not had a better experience there at the canyon club. What a musical genius. I What A genius..... thats it. Good show on letting him in the RRHOF........ one in a million SIr...

[tbagolish]

" I am Speechless(type-less) what a genius"

[denniseggers]

read the book..."Stranger In A Strange Land" by R Heinlein

Leon summed up his view of the "Prince of Peace" when he said in that song "love the long hair children livin' in the street and you just might see the prince of peace returning"...Gee He's Us!!!

[irishsetterarchie]

@denniseggers It is written in the Book of Books that Yahushua (Hebrew for Jesus) is the first of many bretheran! Also, when the Prince of Peace, the Lion of Judah returns, we will accompany Him along with the army of angels!

[wheezermim]

One of the all time greats....those who haven't experienced his music are strangers to true genius ~ stop by and listen to his absolutely unique sound when I find life rather "strange" Luv ya, Leon! Keep On Keepn' On & thanks for the memories!!!

[judecreek2]

@wheezermim So true. I love your comment..."strangers to true genius." Wonderfully said!

[wheezermim]

@judecreek2 ---thanks -....and also to you for the info about his being "ill"...been many years since I saw him in person...he was using a cane then...in rewatching Jumpin Jack medly last night...I noted that even around 30 his hair was going grey/while - never paid any attention when we partied back then (probably couldn't see that well DUH???) His brain was so intense and multidimensional ~~~and a voice like absolutely No other!!!

[steve55853]

ITS GREAT LOVE THIS OLD HIPPIE

[parsonsclubmarket]

I love this song! & Leon!!!

[bigjimi57]

This is so awesome Rafa!!! Thanks my Brotha!!!

[ChichGyver]

A co-Tulsan! What a great person! No other can be equal to Leon. He is the face of this region! No doubt!

[sepulchre10]

Saw him and Mary at Willie Nelson's 2nd of July Picnic way back in the day (1974!). They played at dawn and the sunrise coming up over their pianos was perfect! Man, what great time that was . . . in so many ways.

[sepulchre10]

Saw him and Mary at Willie Nelson's 4th of July Picnic way back in the day (1974!). They played at dawn and the sunrise coming up over their pianos was perfect! Man, what great time that was . . . in so many ways.

[thumlyly]

The other upload by 'deepfreezevideo' has tons more views, but this is the original version so far as I know and the one I like. You can hear his piano and the words, and this was an essential hippy-era message song.

[zo219]

@thumlyly Yes, yes and yes. Ignore depfreezevideo - he does Leon a disservice, just happens to have a not very good tape. The originals are here ... 1970-71, a few later ... and they are all incredible, still. Nothing like it,

[Pdoolesct]

@berrygirl1964

this album is timeless, so many great songs on it.

At least you and I, and many others recognize him, George Harrison, and all Leon's buddies

Have a great everything, and not just one!

Paul

[SugarbushDetective]

Leon, You Da Man. Thank you for such a beautiful and prolific song to lift ones soul! You Da Man!

[davidlloyd51]

Moses was the stranger in a strange land

[DYNODRUM]

"Let The Choir SING!! "--WE Are /The WORLD, Is BECOMING A STRANGE LAND, It Seems , Hu? So Glad, this Music Is Represented and the Truth speaks ;We can really use True Artists Again ...

[tallpaul88]

I've always been a blind man in a dark room, so I can forever 'relate' to this song.

[TheLeonlover]

This song was one of the earliest of my memories growing up with the great master of space and time....has become my personal anthem of all things great about that time growing up, and all rock of those times, and since. Thank you Leon Russell..

[MrJerryNeil]

Seen Leon at the Buffalo Run in Miami,Ok. here while back.He looked like God sit'n behind that piano.

[progrockhound]

I saw Leon on the "Shelter People" tour when I was 15 back in 1971 at the San Diego Sports Aroma. It was my first concert, with Freddie King opening and Buddy Miles as the second act before Leon came onstage and played "Mad Dogs And Englishmen" without accompaniment.

He mentioned that he was looking through his Heinlein book (Stranger in a Strange Land) when he wrote this song.

Grok in fullness.

[eric669]

this song is one the most underrated masterpieces in the history of music!

[giftsdirector]

Sending him love and prayers forever - thank you Leon! You inspired so many musicians & people who loved your music.

[ahclem]

WHO is the "Stranger"? "This title is quite probably taken from the Robert Heinlein novel of the same name. For those unfamiliar with that work, it is the story of a human raised by Martians and brought back to earth where he begins a religion based on love and nonviolence only to be met with persecution and eventual death. It begins with the image of a newborn baby confused upon its arrival on the planet and ends with a plea to reorder our priorities and "stop racing towards oblivion."

[judecreek2]

@ahclem I grok you.

[wheezermim]

@ahclem so often, today as when I first hear this tune,,,HOW many years ago???...I was under the impresseion / felt like "we" were the strangers------He , Leon, sang about "the way we're treatin' each other, not like brothers..." etc etc....it was like....what the heck it going on around here. But, I do also find your perspective most interesting ...really enjoy others beliefs & interpretations!!! Wouldn't it be super if we could get these artists historic head spaces?!?!?!?

[mileslake]

Brain Surgery?? WTF?? When did all of this happen???? That's a total BITCH!

[judecreek2]

@mileslake It was last January. Not actually brain surgery, but the area between his brain and sinus cavity. He's had 4 surgeries on it in the last 15 years. It causes headaches worse than migraines and brain fluid to leak out of his nose. So far, so good on this last surgery. Amazingly, Leon appeared at the Grammy's less than 2 months later and brought down the house!

[judecreek2]

@mileslake Also, he didn't let it slow him down. He recorded a duet album with Elton John called "The Union". First time in 40 years they played together. Check out "I Should've Sent Roses" and "If It Wasn't For Bad" both here on youtube. He sounds great and they're even gonna tour together! God, I hope I have half his energy at his age.(68). Hell, I don't have it now!

[WhiteNacho]

I have always thought this song is about Christ.

[hipncool07]

Thank God that Leon has apparently come out of his surgery well... at least what I've read from the middle of Jan 2010.

[hipncool07]

OMG, brain surgery? I didn't know, how horrible!! I'm 53 and honey, I grew up with that man's music!! He's awesome...God Bless you Leon, you're loved and prayed for!!

[judecreek2]

@hipncool07 Actually, Leon's surgery was in January of this year. He's made a full recovery and he's back on the road! The man is a fine wine that only gets better with age. It wasn't surgery on his brain itself, but surgery to repair a crack in his brain pan directly over his nose that leaked fluid. It's the 4th operation he's had for the same problem, Hopefully, this time the problem is completely corrected.

[hipncool07]

judecreek2 Wow, thank you SO much for this update on Leon! There are so many of our older musicians, and I'm 53 myself, so when they pass on it breaks my heart like I knew them personally. I read every auto-and-biography I could ever get my hands on about the musical artists of our era, '60's and '70's. I'm glad to hear he's doing well, thx again!

[marcwol]

who's the stranger you ask. .. All of us, at one time or another!

[csribs]

love ya brother leon get well soon

[warlordky]

I've seen Leon several times. My prayers are with you brother. Been hearing your songs since the early 70s. much love to ya

[maxinfidel]

I didn't hear this !

Leon was the man. Genius song writer.

Ahead of his time. Who new that this song had the first rap riff ?

"Well I don't know exactly know what's goin on in the wourld today............"

I hope all is well.

[nllleonard]

@maxinfidel Truly an amazing song, amazing artist.  NAncy

[fuckoffndie1]

what a fucking great song !

[PiShoN79]

God Bless you Leon......Saw you in concert years ago in Orlando, Fl. You, my friend, are Blessed. Prayers for you! I hope and pray that all your strength returns.

[PiShoN79]

God Bless you Leon......Saw you in concert years ago in Orlando, Fl. You, my friend, are Blessed. Prayers for you!  I hope and pray that all your strength returns.

[peelumba]

one of the greatest of all time. truly a master of space and time! Live on Brother Leon. See you at the birthday bash in Tulsa ...again!

[PiShoN79]

WHO could be the "STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND"? Could it be Jesus?? Seems to me it is! God bless Leon!

[rustellavids]

@PiShoN79  Stranger in a strange land was inspired by a book of the same name written by Robert Heinlein. If you haven't read it, you should.

[judecreek2]

@rustellavids I grok you.

[CyranoVIII]

great and haunting song and rendition! hope he'll be better soon! thanks for sharing it, sister! ;)

[nllleonard]

Nobody writes or sings them like Leon.

Glad you liked it too, brother. ;)

He looks a bit like you at 2:39!

NAncy

[CyranoVIII]

(I consider it as a sort of Soul.) well, that's true then - but on the other pictures he looks better, lol! ;)

[carlguage]

Leon Russel Is Great Loved his Playing in the Concert for aid to Bangladesh .Great Stuff!!!!

[nllleonard]

THanks Carl! Did you ever see him in concert?  He was so good!

[nllleonard]

Hope he gets better soon so I can see him again!!!

[carlguage]

NO!! Dont Recall that I did But His Rendition of Jumpin Jack Flash at The Bangladesh concert was Great That and Youngblood!!

[oldnrone]

Gotta like Leon, cheers!

[nllleonard]

I gotta love him! Great songs...some of my favorite lyrics....incredible musician...and amazing in concert! Oh, and that crazy voice!!! Yep, gotta love him.

[myhottea]

Leon rocks!

[nllleonard]

Yes he does!

[Ottawarocket]

Great song..I have always admired Leon Russell ..Sadly I don't hear enough of his music on the radio anymore ..wishing him a speedy recovery

Rocket

[nllleonard]

Hey Rob, He writes great songs! Leon is also one of the best performers ever!

Sure hope he gets better soon!

~NAncy

[reliablebow]

Yep, tis a Great song!!!!!

[nllleonard]

I never get tired of this one!

Glad you liked it too, Michael!

~NAncy

[reliablebow]

What a great voice!!!..Always loved it. Thanks for letting me know about Leon...praying...Thanks for the share MySister....