The BEST MUSICAL EXPERIENCE EVER!
by Pamela Porter on 8/10/19The Rose - PasadenaRating: 5 out of 5Like a beautiful "Saturday in the Park", but on a Wed. Aug 7, 2019 at the Rose in Pasadena, CA, I had the opportunity to enjoy, up-close in ultra-phonic stereo sound, "LEONID & FRIENDS", a project, gone viral as a self described tribute band that is SO much more than just a tribute or cover band, championing the 1970s American band, Chicago. As Leonid puts it: "One of the greatest bands ever". And let me tell you, LEONID & FRIENDS is, and will be known as one of the greatest bands ever themselves! In fact, they're so damn fantastically amazing and spot on, the original band, "Chicago" IMMEDIATELY added "LEONID & FRIENDS" to their very own website. EVERY essence, nuance, beat, rhythm, harmony of the original songs Chicago sang back in the late 60s early 70s, LEONID AND FRIENDS do, faithfully, to the Tee at every show! The bassist, Leonid, is the proud papa to what started out as a "project"; a "present to myself" of love, respect and inspiration for the complex, multi instrumental, skilled arrangements of award winning American mega stars, Chicago. However, Leonid and Friends are not American nor from the US. In fact most of them are from various parts of Russia, and the Ukraine and most members/friends of the band do not speak English. Leonid is from Siberia. SIBERIA, by the NORTH POLE! When in the heck would someone from Siberia, back in the 70s, have a chance to listen to American music? Well i had the good fortune to be able to ask Leonid this question myself. The story is unbelievable. So is the story of how the group came to be. So is the story of how Leonid listened to Chicago's songs back then, and patiently, BY EAR (there wasn't sheet music in Siberia) transcribed EACH instrumental notes and sound, and then the vocals... and then the LANGUAGE! ALL BY EAR! And also unbelievable is the story of of his first electric guitar, hand made, using parts of a telephone receiver for the "pick up". The group is so diverse, so professional, so
humble, almost shy, and caught off guard as the audience and myself fly out of our seats with thunderous applause and standing ovation as they enter the stage! Before they perform! I will never forget that! LEONID & FRIENDS should be ambassadors for world peace. Think about it. For Americans to embrace, welcome and praise some unknown Russian musicians on US soil, and for Russian people to be allowed to enjoy and play music, and tribute it to a universally known American band, then hand deliver it
to U.S. soil because of our relentless, popular demand. WOW... What's this world coming to?! Maybe, harmony? But this is "only the beginning"...
Much respect and love to L&F. From Pamela in California