Mad Dogs & Englishmen - Deluxe Edition (1971)

"This album was just about the most elaborate one that A&M Records had ever released, back in 1971, a double LP in a three-panel, fold-out, gatefold sleeve, with almost 80 minutes of music inside and a ton of photos, graphics, and annotation wrapping around it. A live recording done in tandem with a killer documentary film of the same U.S. tour, it was recorded at the Fillmore East, where the movie was a cross-country affair, and the two were, thus, completely separate entities. Most of its content was exciting, and its sound, a veritable definition of big-band rock with three dozen players working behind the singer, was unique. The record was also just as much a showcase for Leon Russell as it was for Joe Cocker. This two-CD Deluxe Edition contains eight previously unreleased extra live performances inserted throughout the discs and four rare studio recordings tacked onto the end. The new live performances are longer and looser and Russell plays an even bigger role." (Bruce Eder, Allmusic)