Original album release year: May 1970 

Update to the following information: I have secured a copy of this disc and it DOES play on my PC DVD player and on my Apex 1100W cheapo player.

In Spring 2002 a DVD Audio version of Leon's "Leon Russell" album was released by Hi-Res Music. As I understand it, DVD Audio comes closer to re-creating the positive aspects of vinyl sound quality than the current CD format. For the techies: Hi-Res Music is using the DVD-A format for their products. Note that this is an audio-only disc and not a video DVD!!!

There are catches, and they are big ones, you will need a DVD Audio player(not necessarily true, see above). A simple DVD video player will not be able to play DVD-A format. Also, there is a competing format, SACD, that has lined up exclusive releases from Dylan, Pink Floyd, & other big names. Anyone remember the Beta/VHS format wars?

Also available from Hi-Res Music in DVD-A format is Freddie King's Texas Cannonball album. Leon produced and played on this album.

While looking for more information on this DVD-A, I found a press release from EMI from October 2001 announcing their plans to release a Retrospective DVD Audio disc. As far as I can tell that disc was never released.

The EMI press release:
http://www.digitalaudioguide.com/dareview/news2001.htm
*  10/11/2001 - EMI Gears Up For DVD-Audio
EMI Music Distribution announced they are gearing up for the release of a full slate of DVD-Audio titles. The first three releases are planned for December. "Al Green: Greatest Hits", "Eric Johnson: Ah Via Musicom" and " Leon Russell: Retrospective". In the months to follow, other key catalog titles will be released



The contents of the Leon Russell DVD-A disc are:

1. A Song for You (Russell) - 4:08
2. Dixie Lullaby (Russell/Stainton) - 2:30
3. I Put a Spell on You (Russell) - 4:10
4. Shoot Out on the Plantation (Russell) - 3:10
5. Humming Bird (Russell) - 3:57
6. Delta Lady (Russell) - 4:00
7. Prince of Peace (Russell/Dempsey) - 3:05
8. Give Peace a Chance (Russell/Bramlett) - 2:15
9. Hurtsome Body (Russell) - 3:35
10.Pisces Apple Lady (Russell) - 2:50
11.Roll Away the Stone (Russell/Dempsey) - 3:06
12.Masters of War(Old Masters)(Dylan) - 1:20
 + Three extra tracks from the original session
13.Jammin' with Eric (Russell/Clapton) - 4:14
14.Humming Bird(Russell) - 4:08
15.Shoot Out on the Plantation (Russell) - 3:31

CreditsLeon Russell - Bass, Guitar, Piano, Keyboards, Vocals, Producer, Engineer, Mixing
Joe Cocker - Vocals
George Harrison - Guitar
Mick Jagger - Vocals
Ringo Starr - Drums
Steve Winwood - Keyboards
Charlie Watts - Drums
Bonnie Bramlett - Vocals
Delaney Bramlett - Guitar
Bill Wyman - Bass
Jim Gordon - Drums
Eric Clapton - Guitar
Merry Clayton - Vocals
Buddy Harmon - Drums
Jim Horn - Saxophone
Alan Spenner - Bass
Chris Stainton - Keyboards
Klaus Voorman - Bass
B.J. Wilson - Drums

Disclaimer: I have not listened to this DVD-A nor have I done business with Hi-Res Music. I'm just passing along the information that I've gathered.


Links:

Articles on DVD Audio
http://www.panasonic.ca/English/audiovideo/dvd/dvdqa.htm#q4
http://www.beststuff.com/articles/600/
http://searchstorage.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0%2C%2Csid5_gci510035%2C00.html
http://www.opticaldisc-systems.com/2001julyAug/DVD-AUDIO-FAQs50.htm
http://www.ezdvdadvisor.com/public/412print.cfm
http://www.emediapro.net/EM1999/partyka1.html


Hi-Res Music's Catalog & Leon Russell offering:
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/hiresmusic/index.html
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/hiresmusic/leruru.html
http://www.dvdangle.com/dvd_audio/archives.html