What Leon has given us is a song cycle that eloquently elaborates the daily vicissitudes of his fulfilled dream of popstardom. While the 8 1/2 motif is hardly new to rock, no one, with the exception of the Dylan of Blonde On Blonde, has captured the ambivalence inherent to the pop hero's situation any more sagaciously or incisively than Russell.

Carney (carnival barker) is certainly Leon's most gentle and personal statement, in which even the hardest rocker ("Roller Derby") seems tame when compared to earlier efforts like "Roll Away the Stone" or "Pisces Apple Lady." Like "8 1/2," the record is as much a view of one small, often ugly corner of contemporary society as it is an interior monologue. Leon touches upon a first love lost to junk ("Me And Baby Jane"), prying grafters from a certain prominent periodical ("If the Shoe Fits"), a pasquinade that sounds like an Asylum Choir number and confusion over whether or not the show must, indeed, go on ("Tightrope").

Leon's marble-mouthed, drawling vocals are a joy throughout, which comes as quite a treat to one who thoroughly detested much of his previous caterwauling (such as his Godawful mistreatment of George Harrison's "Beware Of Darkness"). He renders selections like "Tightrope" and the double-tracked vocal on "Out In The Woods" with just the right amount of tension and "Manhattan Island Serenade" and "This Masquerade" (a lovely melody whose tonic is the same as the Matt Dennis-Earl Brent chestnut, "Angel Eyes") with unabashed, yet understated tenderness. There is none of the cloying quality in Russell's voice and phrasing that somewhat marred his delicate "A Song For You," which was on the first solo album and is the most poignant lyric he has penned to date.

The production is hardly lavish, considering Leon's penchant for doing the large-scale gospel-influenced numbers, and the instrumental backing by this Shelter people troupe (which might be considered to be Russell's repertory company) is superbly subtle, especially John Gallie's organ work.

Like Fellini's Guido, Leon Russell will continue to partake in "the lonely game" he plays because it is his lifeblood, not to mention that he has managed to play it with consummate skill and shrewdness. Perhaps Carney is no more than another cool calculation on the part of its creator, but one comes away from the album secure in the knowledge that Leon is capable of exuding more wit, charm and candor than almost anyone else working in his medium.

- James Issacs, Rolling Stone, 9-14-72.

Bonus Reviews!

In this latest LP, the undauntable Leon Russell comes off as a slightly off-beat surprise and a revelation into the mind of a "superstar." Drawing inobvious parallels of an old-fashioned carnival to his own lifestyle he has crafted an amazingly insightful work. Singing in what is still the most delightful exaggerated twang is rockdom he will enchant his corps of worshipful followers with such songs as "Me and Baby Jane," "Tight Rope," and "This Masquerade."

- Billboard, 1972.

Further reading on Super Seventies RockSite!: Album Review: Leon Russell Album Review: Leon Russell And the Shelter People Album Review: Will O' The Wisp Leon Russell: In His Own Words

This is Leon Russell's third album, if you don't count the refurbished out-take collections and the rediscoverd masterpieces. Leon's a star now -- even the Carpenters and the Ray Conniff Singers and (for all anyone can tell, Tennessee Ernie) are rushing to record his compositions. Just since release of his Shelter People album he's probably made a few million $, but has he changed any? Nah. Still the same lovable rock and roller.

Carney is the most relaxed album Leon has put out so far. With a few exceptions, the songs are breezy and humorous. The lyrics are chatty and the images self-effacing. Leon is on the tight rope or stranded by the roadside facing a hitch-hiking trip to the service station. Or suddenly stricken with the charms of a roller derby queen. The album cover tips it off -- there's Tulsa's first citizen perched next to a tawdry looking trailer with his face plastered over in clown's white. "Cajun Love Song," complete with an authentic instrumental back-up, finds our hero prepping for a big night on the town in Thibodaux, Louisiana. "Acid Annapolis" is a bucket of beautiful noise and if it sums up tripping in the capital of Maryland, then that's alright too. A poignant note is sounded with "Me And Baby Jane," an extremely moving song about meeting up with a schoolyard lover who has gone a long way down in the interval. "If The Shoe Fits" goes out to all the groupies who masquerade as reporters for the underground press -- it's about time someone gave them the finger.

As in the past, Leon's production work with Denny Cordell is flawless. Just an outstanding album all the way. Play it when you've got the time to laugh and boogie.

- Ed Kelleher, Circus, 9-72.

On the front cover of Carney is Leon Russell looking like death in his carnival barker's make-up. On the back, he's sitting in front of a small trailer to which is attached his Rolls-Royce. Dig the ambivalence? The music pursues this theme. You can imagine him singing: "Although I'm Mr. Pop Superstar with a supersize spread and recording studio in Oklahoma, etc., live is like a crummy carnival for me... with all its aches and joys and sordid impermanencies." That kind of thing. Recently, Russell has put together a "rock 'n' roll circus" that is touring the country. So Carney may be just another part of the act.

- Playboy, 12-72.

Not the radical falloff some report -- just slippage, the first side listenable and the second side flaky. Not that I expect "Manhattan Island Serenade" or "Cajun Love Song" to get covered like "This Masquerade." And not that I enjoy anything else as much as "If the Shoe Fits," a cheap shot at hangers-on that says more about the performer's lot than "Tight Rope" and "Magic Mirror" put together. B-

- Robert Christgau, Christgau's Record Guide, 1981.

Carney became Russell's highest charting album with the aid of the oddball #11 hit "Tightrope." Also included is "This Masquerade," a song that later became an international hit for George Benson. "If the Shoe Fits" is a great putdown of pop-star sycophants. Other highlights include "Manhattan Island Serenade" and "Cajun Love Song." * * * *

- Rick Clark, The All-Music Guide to Rock, 1995.

Carney is Leon Russell's biggest seller, thanks to the ubiquitous single "Tightrope." * * * 1/2

- Allan Orski, Musichound Rock: The Essential Album Guide, 1996.

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