- Marc Benno -- vocals, guitar, keyboards (1968-69)
- Leon Russell -- vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards (1968-69) 

- Marc Benno (solo efforts)
- The In-Group (Leon Russell)
- Leon Russell (solo efforts)

Genre: psych

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Look Inside the Asylum Choir

Company: Smash

Catalog: SR-67107

Year: 1968

Country/State: Tulsa, Oklahoma

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: minor ring wear; gatefold  sleeve; banned toilet paper cover

Available: 1

GEMM Catalog ID: 4807

Price: $35.00

In the late 1960's Marc Benno and Leon Russell were working as Los Angeles based sessions musicians. Having recorded an unsuccessful solo single, Russell used the resulting earnings to build a recording studio, working with the likes of Gene Clark, Harpers Bizarre and Gary Lewis. The duo's initial collaboration resulted in the release of 1968's "Look Inside the Asylum Choir." Intended as a state-of-the- art, quasi-psychedlic rock effort, the album had it's moment, including the lead-off 'Welcome To Hollywood' and Russell's blue-eyed soul 'Soul Food'.  Unfortunately, much of the collection was given over to topical (if inferior) material such as the psychedelic 'Icicle Star Tree', 'Indian Style' and 'Episode Containing 3 Songs, N/Y. Op., Land of Dog, Mr. Henri the Clown' which did little for the collection's accessibility. While the album attracted rave reviews from hip critics, it proved a commercial non-entity. (Originally released with toilet roll artwork, the cover quickly offended then-delicate public sensibilities. Smash quickly re-released the album with a more sedate cover featuring a photo of the duo.  

"Look Inside the Asylum Choir" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Welcome To Hollywood (Leon Russell - Marc Benno)
2.) Soul Food (Leon Russell - Marc Benno - Boatman - Markham)
3.) Icicle Star Tree (Leon Russell - Marc Benno - Wilson)
4.) Death of the Flowers (Leon Russell - Marc Benno - Dempsey)
5.) Indian Style (Leon Russell - Marc Benno)

(side 2)

1.) Episode Containing Three Songs (Leon Russell - Marc Benno)
2.) N.Y. Op (Leon Russell - Marc Benno)
3.) Land of Dog (Leon Russell - Marc Benno)
4.) Mr. Henry the Clown (Leon Russell - Marc Benno)
5.) Thieves In the Choir (Leon Russell - Marc Benno - Riopell)

11.) Black Sheep Boogaloo (Leon Russell - Marc Benno)

Genre: psych

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Look Inside the Asylum Choir

Company: Smash

Catalog: SR-67107

Year: 1968

Country/State: Tulsa, Oklahoma

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: minor ring wear; gatefold  sleeve; replacement cover

Available: 1

GEMM Catalog ID: 4808

Price: $15.00

In the late 19 60's Marc Benno and Leon Russell were working as Los Angeles based sessions musicians. Having recorded an unsuccessful solo single, Russell used the resulting earnings to build a recording studio, working with the likes of Gene Clark, Harpers Bizarre and Gary Lewis. The duo's initial collaboration resulted in the release of 1968's "Look Inside the Asylum Choir." Intended as a state-of-the- art, quasi-psychedlic rock effort, the album had it's moment, including the lead-off 'Welcome To Hollywood' and Russell's blue-eyed soul 'Soul Food'.  Unfortunately, much of the collection was given over to topical (if inferior) material such as the psychedelic 'Icicle Star Tree', 'Indian Style' and 'Episode Containing 3 Songs, N/Y. Op., Land of Dog, Mr. Henri the Clown' which did little for the collection's accessibility. While the album attracted rave reviews from hip critics, it proved a commercial non-entity. (Originally released with toilet roll artwork, the cover quickly offended then-delicate public sensibilities. Smash quickly re-released the album with a more sedate cover featuring a photo of the duo.  

"Look Inside the Asylum Choir" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Welcome To Hollywood (Leon Russell - Marc Benno)
2.) Soul Food (Leon Russell - Marc Benno - Boatman - Markham)
3.) Icicle Star Tree (Leon Russell - Marc Benno - Wilson)
4.) Death of the Flowers (Leon Russell - Marc Benno - Dempsey)
5.) Indian Style (Leon Russell - Marc Benno)

(side 2)

1.) Episode Containing Three Songs (Leon Russell - Marc Benno)
2.) N.Y. Op (Leon Russell - Marc Benno)
3.) Land of Dog (Leon Russell - Marc Benno)
4.) Mr. Henry the Clown (Leon Russell - Marc Benno)
5.) Thieves In the Choir (Leon Russell - Marc Benno - Riopell)

11.) Black Sheep Boogaloo (Leon Russell - Marc Benno)

Genre: blues-rock

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Asylum Choir II

Company: Shelter

Catalog: SW-8910

Year: 1971

Country/State: Tulsa, Oklahoma

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: textured cover

Available: 2

GEMM Catalog ID: 4809

Price: $15.00

"Asylum Choir II" was intended as a follow-up to 1968's "Looking Inside the Asylum Choir".  Unfortunately Smash Records executives shelved the set were it sat for the next three years.  The collection was ultimately rescued in 1971 when Leon Russell (enjoying stardom as a solo act) bought the tapes and released the collection on his newly formed Shelter imprint. Ironically, by the time the sophomore album saw the light of day, Russell and Benno had dissolved their partnership.  Musically the set's quite similar to the debut, though there are a couple of obvious differences.  While the debut was very much a collaboration, this time around, the focus is clearly on Russell.  As mentioned above, that may have something to do with the fact Russell was responsible for the collection's release. As on the debut, Benno's credited with co-writing most of the material (there are three tracks credited to Russell alone), but Benno's other contributions are far and few between.  He only handles backing vocals on a couple of tracks, but is largely absent elsewhere.  While full of engaging melodies, lyrically the album's a topical timepiece -though I find it an engaging reflection of the times.  There are a couple of nifty anti-war tracks ('Down On the Base' and 'Ballad for a Soldier') and some dated social/political commentary ('Sweet Home Chicago' with it's not-to-subtle commentary on 1968's Democratic National Convention and 'Straight Brother'). Speaking of dated, amazing how time impacts language ...  "when you're bass player's flat and your drummer drags, don't you wish you had a fag"  Anyone under 30 probably doesn't realize he's talking about cigarettes, not lifestyles.  Bottom line is that it's good, though not on a par with the debut.

 "Asylum Choir II" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Sweet Home Chicago   (Leon Russell - Marc Benno) - 3:20

2.) Down On the Base   (Leon Russell - Marc Benno) - 2:18

3.) Hello Little Friend   (Leon Russell - Marc Benno) - 2:52

4.) Salty Candy   (Leon Russell - Marc Benno) - 2:26

5.) Tryin' To Stay Live   (Leon Russell - Marc Benno) - 2:50

(side 2)

1.) ... Intro To Rita - 2:07

2.) Straight Brother   (Leon Russell - Marc Benno) - 3:08

3.) Learn How To Boogie   (Leon Russell - Marc Benno) - 2:40

4.) Ballad for a Soldier   (Leon Russell) - 4:24

5.) When You Wish Upon a Fag   (Leon Russell) - 4:10

6.) Lady In Waiting   (Leon Russell) - 3:37