Yeah, Rich! Man, anyone who liked Chicago back in the day, should really check out Leonid and Friends, and the back story on how Leonid got this thing started. But the literally play Chicago songs BETTER than Chicago does or did in their shows. Leonid plays the songs exactly as they are on the albums, which I know, is probably monotonous for the band, but because of how they play them, that is why Leonid is popular. Check out their Youtube channel as it has some great videos of them playing Chicago songs. I really like their versions of "I'm a Man" and of course, "25 or 6 to 4". The guy who sings lead on I'm a Man is absolutely insane! What a talent!
I love these guys. They've done about 20+ Chicago covers...all of them just as good as the real deal--and DEFINITELY better than what passes off as "Chicago" today. THey also do a couple of killer Earth, Wind, & Fire songs...and Blood, Sweat, & Tears' "Spinning Wheel." And the female singer is one of the most gorgeous women on the planet!
Wow! Just watched about five more of their songs. The musicianship everywhere is incredible and to think these guys are all singing in a second language and hitting all the phrasing, etc. with no sign of a accent. Just wow!
Leonid is what Chicago would sound like if they recorded in the digital era. Absolutely amazing...I have tix for the Sacramento and Solana Beach shows coming up. Highly recommend.
Unfortunately, Sergey (the lead singer here) and the piano player have left the group, but Serge (bearded guy singing backup) is still there and he does Peter Cetera better than Peter Cetera. They will be in San Francisco on 11/26.
10:40 Oh, man...Sergey is one HELL of a guitar player. He really nails that solo on 25 or 6 to 4...and has a helluva voice--a great "Peter Lamm." Who's replacing him?
Yeah, Rich! Man, anyone who liked Chicago back in the day, should really check out Leonid and Friends, and the back story on how Leonid got this thing started. But the literally play Chicago songs BETTER than Chicago does or did in their shows. Leonid plays the songs exactly as they are on the albums, which I know, is probably monotonous for the band, but because of how they play them, that is why Leonid is popular. Check out their Youtube channel as it has some great videos of them playing Chicago songs. I really like their versions of "I'm a Man" and of course, "25 or 6 to 4". The guy who sings lead on I'm a Man is absolutely insane! What a talent!
ReplyDeleteI love these guys. They've done about 20+ Chicago covers...all of them just as good as the real deal--and DEFINITELY better than what passes off as "Chicago" today. THey also do a couple of killer Earth, Wind, & Fire songs...and Blood, Sweat, & Tears' "Spinning Wheel." And the female singer is one of the most gorgeous women on the planet!
ReplyDeleteI agree, there EWF covers are equally amazing. I guess Chicago and EWF toured together and shared horn sections in the 80's?
DeleteWow! Just watched about five more of their songs. The musicianship everywhere is incredible and to think these guys are all singing in a second language and hitting all the phrasing, etc. with no sign of a accent. Just wow!
ReplyDeletesounds like Michael Buble tone and phrasing meets James William Guercio arrangements
ReplyDeleteLeonid is what Chicago would sound like if they recorded in the digital era. Absolutely amazing...I have tix for the Sacramento and Solana Beach shows coming up. Highly recommend.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, Sergey (the lead singer here) and the piano player have left the group, but Serge (bearded guy singing backup) is still there and he does Peter Cetera better than Peter Cetera. They will be in San Francisco on 11/26.
ReplyDeleteWow, until the singing it sounded just like the original recording by Chicago Transit Authority.
ReplyDelete10:40
ReplyDeleteOh, man...Sergey is one HELL of a guitar player. He really nails that solo on 25 or 6 to 4...and has a helluva voice--a great "Peter Lamm." Who's replacing him?
Looks like Konstantin Kovachev, but I don't think they have made any recordings yet with him.
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