1990s
The start of each new decade seems to conveniently coincide with a turning point in
Leon’s recorded output, and 1990 was the year he first began compiling from his
back catalogue, and also the year he moved permanently away from vinyl to the CD and cassette media. Three retrospectives would be released during the decade, bringing some 55 older songs to CD, besides which a trio of all-new studio albums would appear.
Interspersed with his recording activities, Leon also established himself as a prolific writer of books and stories for children during these years, starting in 1991 with Rosa's Singing Grandfather, which short-listed for the Carnegie Medal but beaten by Dear Nobody, written by Berlie Doherty. Between 1991 and 1998, a total of 15 books were published by Leon, plus around eight short stories in other books and anthologies - with more to follow in later years.
In keeping with these projects, Leon also resumed work on children’s music in 1994, the main result of which was the release of his own album of songs which had been issued previously in some form, but very few of which had been available as recordings by Leon himself. The album appeared on cassette only, but would be reissued on CD some years later. Elsewhere, he teamed up with Sheena Roberts to write and record for some children's book and tape packs.
Interspersed with his recording activities, Leon also established himself as a prolific writer of books and stories for children during these years, starting in 1991 with Rosa's Singing Grandfather, which short-listed for the Carnegie Medal but beaten by Dear Nobody, written by Berlie Doherty. Between 1991 and 1998, a total of 15 books were published by Leon, plus around eight short stories in other books and anthologies - with more to follow in later years.
In keeping with these projects, Leon also resumed work on children’s music in 1994, the main result of which was the release of his own album of songs which had been issued previously in some form, but very few of which had been available as recordings by Leon himself. The album appeared on cassette only, but would be reissued on CD some years later. Elsewhere, he teamed up with Sheena Roberts to write and record for some children's book and tape packs.
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RosselSonGs CD and cassette, Fuse, 1990 |
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Wo Sind Die Elefanten? CD and cassette, Fuse, 1991 |
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Guess What They're Selling at the Happiness Counter CD and cassette, Fuse, 1992 |
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Questions: Songs and Stories for Children Cassette, Fuse, 1994 |
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Intruders CD and cassette, Fuse, 1995 |
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Perspectives CD and cassette, Fuse, 1997 |
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Harry's Gone Fishing CD and cassette, Fuse, 1999 |