The trade press wrote in 1970 to the 50 cities tour, it would be to the loudest and craziest Rock'n Roll Circus, the USA had the ever afflicted. And that was at least right then, especially when the "Mad Dogs and Englishmen" movie Joe Cocker - knows Mad Dogs and Englishmen, who in the wild, motley of Leon Russel within a day, troops on and behind the stage, in rehearsal Studio, private shows in the hotel rooms and the Barbeque. And that the band (including Don Preston, Jim Keltner, Jim Gordon, Chuck Blackwell, Bobby Keys, Jim Price, Rita Coolidge next Joe Cocker, Leon Russell and Chris Stainton) after only 4 days samples A '12 hours perfect - by Leon Russell arrange - could play, already the double LP proved by 1970th
Also "De Luxe" is really true in this case because the 2 CD's include not only the original album, but also seven other live songs from the Fillmore East, one from the Santa Monica Civic Concerto plus four studio songs. Also there is the (finally) complete version of "Delta Lady" of almost 8 minutes that was ever published in abbreviated form so far (in Audio). The booklet is 20 pages with more than very nice and interesting to read. The original LP cover, which at the time was designed quite luxurious with lots of photos and folding is completely recreated.
The only thing missing in the reproduction of the LP cover, the indication at the individual titles when Leon Russel (g, p) and Chris Stainton (org, p) is playing what instrument. But perhaps that is only important for the completists; and those who know the guitar playing of Leon Russel from his own albums, listen here anyway, when he reaches for Gibson (or the DVD shows it).
If you would like to hear everything because of these four Fillmore East Concerts, there is the 6 CD box Mad Dogs & Englishmen - The Complete Fillmore East Concerts (UK Import), which of course much repeated on the other side of the connoisseurs of this album (probably) also new offers, but is priced highly settled.
All in all, a real classic of the 70s with a Joe Cocker in top form and a band, as he (in my opinion) had never better. To make re-releases of old rock classics fun. Believed I had not; nice that there are sometimes different!
