Leon Ware - Why I Came To California (Live in Amsterdam, 2001)

Leon is joined by Brand New Heavies' Carleen Anderson and Michael Franti of Spearhead on a special and intimate set at the Paradiso venue in Amsterdam.
Backed by Leon's own DOX Orchestra, and the Zapp! string quartet, he re-arranged and re-mixed a selection of his own masterpieces.
Here they perform a cut from Leon's own 1982 eponymous album.

[@heyjoejp]

Cali needs this song now more than ever

[@laraoneal7284]

Just discovered Leon today. Now I’m obsessed with finding everything he’s done.

[@bradleyclutton4564]

So nice ❤

[@garytaylor2268]

I saw him live at The Jazz Cafe 😂

[@corymcconnaughy4273]

I discovered him about a year ago, too. It's too bad we don't have more live performances from this legend.

[@agustinsalgado9139]

Bro makes me feel thankful for being from California

[@michaeldavies6756]

I love this song. I remember some years back listening to it on headphones while walking through my hometown of Cardiff, UK, on a warm summer evening, and being blissfully transported to an imagined utopian paradise of California in the 70s/early eighties.

[@piercehawke8021]

And I can understand you feeling that way, despite Calif having its share of problems, even back in the late 1970's, it was a quantum improvement over the Wash DC area.........not just the gorgeous climate, especially SoCal. RIP to when the Golden State was truly 'golden'.

[@SS-ii6nz]

This is my favorite song by Leon Ware and may R.I.P. The band is very nice.

[@jjjos]

One of the finest soul artists of all time, Carleen great saw her live and the rapper on point, just I weren’t there damm

[@profilemusic3014]

very sorry to learn that legendary soul artist Leon Ware has died,

[@bradleyclutton4564]

Wow imagine being in the audience, this is so crisp and tight love it 😍❤️

[@ianrowan2827]

Wow, Leon Ware. Love this groove.

[@serial0777]

Love Leon Ware, and in love with Paradiso Amsterdam. Best vibes in the world.!!!!

[@reginalddavidson6965]

I fell in love with this song, because during my first trip to the Golden Gate Bridge, this song started playing on my playlist. Was it fate or coincidence? I will never know.

[@bjvolkwyn]

Absolutely love Carleen Anderson's performance/s with Leon Ware.

[@numidee7857]

Oh how I wish I learned of Mr. Ware earlier. Since stumbling upon this song I just have to play it every day. I love it so much. I don't live anywhere near Cali but this song makes me want to go there so badly.

[@gregc7699]

Carleen Anderson is something else and there vocals meshed resl well together on this RIP Leon Ware one of the greats for sure legendary

[@markJohnson-ot7ny]

One hell of a concert from PBS back in 2001 R.I.P. Mr. Ware the king of cool .M

[@mcbyrne2003]

I totally dig this!!!

[@PeterPlayUK]

1981, London. Horizon radio signed of with this tune followed by Pieces of a Dream's Warm Weather. I taped the show, and rinsed these two tunes forever. I also partied at Paradiso in Amsterdam in the late 80s/early 90s. Good times! (BTW Carleen Anderson was in the Young Disciples I think, not Brand New Heavies. The wonderful N'Dea Davenport was lead for BNH). Great great video. Thanks

[@piercehawke8021]

This song pretty much covers why I moved to Calif from the cold/snowy Wash DC area in the late 1970s. RIP Leon Ware, till we meet again. ^^^

[@james061306]

Im delighted to watch leon's live. thanks!

[@teetosh]

How did I miss this act? Came hear on a David Paich recommendation.

[@Gordygrooveking]

CLASSIC ANTHEM RARE GROOVE ON THE LONDON SCENE BACK IN THE DAY !!! BIG UP FROM LONDON TO THE MAN MR. LEON WARE WITH THIS BOMB !!!

[@neofunkyman1]

This was NOT Rare Groove at the time. Yes it was played a lot and yes you could call it an anthem, but this 'phrase' is well over used. Perhaps if you tried finding it now - as vinyl - it could well be 'rare groove'.

[@Gordygrooveking]

neofunkyman1 Dear Neofunkyman, Featured on Classic Rare Grooves Volume 1 back in the 90's complied by Mastercuts. All though I still agree with you an overused phrase Rare Groove !

[@antoniogooding]

Thank God for class-act, Leon Ware!

[@paisley5793]

Gotta love Leon Ware and California, preferably Los Angeles!!

[@persevere4]

Southern California: no place like it.

[@ReeMEmartyn]

!GREAT COMBINATION! LOVE LOVE Y'ALL

[@inteljstock2277]

smooth sound I enjoyed it thanks

[@canalpontodevistarp1241]

Música muito boa passa o tempo e continua viva como se fosse daquele momento de agora

[@Hu3ertu]

coś pięknego!!!

[@renatoneves2152]

Groove❤❤❤

[@VonjOfficialvideos]

great musicianship. Vonj

[@mightynice1]

that's why i came and am still here.

[@prettybassdoll]

Sounds good

[@Mr00dear]

how COOLS this? 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@vasyasvl]

great!

[@nickdreique]

Excelent

[@nerosapien]

OH LEON WARE you are the Greatest ,,,,Please,,Please PLEASE can you Go Back into the Studio with MAXWELL ,,, he needs some direction

[@Richard234]

No argument here. Came to LA in 82 from back east and never looked back.

[@piercehawke8021]

1978 for me; Wash DC native. left that area and, have yet to return, even for a visit. Now in Arizona but, the COL here is a fraction of coastal Calif.

[@kingjayhussein5673]

👊🏽👊🏽👊🏽👊🏽👍🏾👍🏾The band was super tight! Vocals,background vocals,drums,brass and melody! Top,Top band! By the way,who is the beautiful lady on co-vocals with Leon? Wow!!!!

[@billneath3273]

Careen Anderson

[@billneath3273]

Shes performed with the Brand New Heavies

[@billneath3273]

She's also a solo Artist in her own right

[@billneath3273]

Carleen

[@jeanfrancois17music]

la grande classe

[@thomaswitczak1163]

Schoner Soul Classic

[@Sendmommy0524]

@ThePhatboy3 : Whooo, you are so right. What happened, here? Maybe because it's live. But it does the album version NO JUSTICE!

[@carlitofunk69]

i like !!!

[@edsonmesquita6419]

banda furiosa linda

[@soulfulbologna]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@ofrae1971]

black beauty head to toe.. ... whao... pure an simple. ... in age where most are still trying to be light skinned ....

[@gmn5522]

🤩👌

[@ScoobIV]

Bouta flip that opening piano

[@Sunrise614]

i was often in California but i never managed to stay there i was so foolish

[@cdeb64]

Frant!

[@adavis0520]

Where can I get the DVD to this performance?!!!!!

[@adavis0520]

Already tried that...lol. That is where I got most of my DVD concerts.

[@adavis0520]

Will do... even going to write to Leon Ware's website. How are you?

[@martinjansen3834]

A Davis Any response ? I want that DVD also :)

[@adavis0520]

Can't find it.... but, haven't checked Leon Ware's website. If nothing else, I will write his manager.

[@martinjansen3834]

Would be glad to hear if you have any success .. thanks ! :)

[@tamrikomerkviladze6271]

💙

[@laraoneal7284]

How did he pass??

[@THOMASDEUEL1]

lyrics please..please..please!

[@deepbreather]

missed it. why? don't ask me.

[@CamYapsALot]

Thanks Ugly God

[@slapmyfunkybass]

i like it - think the harmonic changes gives it a good modern feel.... it's carleen anderson's vocals that make it though, her vocals are something else and really classy