Leon Ware (1972 album)

Leon Ware is the self-titled debut studio album by American musician Leon Ware. It was released in 1972 and was his only release for United Artists Records.

Background
In 1971, Ware collaborated with Ike & Tina Turner, co-writing several songs on their album, 'Nuff Said. The moderate success of  'Nuff Said led the Turners' record label at the time, United Artists, to hand Ware a recording contract as a solo artist.

Reception
Although the album failed to chart, the album did receive positive reviews from critics. Bob Talbert of the Detroit Free Press wrote, "Detroiter Leon Ware is a marvelous songwriter". He continued, "Ware is also a superb singer..." Omaha World-Herald commended the album, citing that the album was "the strong, individualistic vocal and piano work of Leon Ware". Moreover, they predicted that "[Ware] should be headed for considerable popularity". In 1972, Ware appeared in an advertisement on Billboard to promote the album.

Track listing
Side one

Side two

Personnel

 * Leon Ware – vocals, piano, arrangement, producer
 * Doug Gilmore – producer
 * Gorden De Witty – piano, organ
 * Jeff Brown – organ
 * Jackie Clark – guitar, bass
 * Ernie McDaniel – bass
 * Terry Furlong – guitar
 * Jimmy Brown, Stu Perry – drums
 * Clydie King, Jesse Smith, Julia Tillman, Maxine Willard, Patrice Holloway – backing vocals
 * Christina Hersch, Jerry Burns – recording engineer
 * Norman Seeff – art direction, photography
 * Dave Bhang – design