"In the Stone" (EW&F cover) by Leonid & Friends, Reaction/Analysis by Musician/Producer

"In the Stone" (EW&F cover) by Leonid & Friends, Reaction/Analysis by Musician/Producer
Original Video: • In the Stone - Leonid ...
Artist's Channel: / @leonidvorobyevandfriends
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This is a reaction video used to educate and give feedback related to the artist and the song.
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[@brianwest4335]

They all look like they are having the time of their lives smiling string section

[@DaveyL1954]

I discovered Leonid and Friends two weeks ago, and haven't stopped playing them since. I'm a retired musician/music tutor and thought I'd seen and heard it all. I was a student when EW&F brought this out. It is not close to the original. IT IS HOW THE ORIGINAL SOUNDS. Leonid has got it absolutely spot on perfect. I'm so pleased that this band is showing that musicians bring the world together. Politicians push the world apart. Seeing this band makes me want to play music again. I hope I do. Even only as my tribute to Leonid and Friends

[@cmorrowk]

You said you aren’t familiar with this song…. Well you just heard it exactly as EW&F played it. What’s truly amazing to me, I saw an interview with Leonid and he said (at least for the Chicago covers) they had no written charts to arrange by. He totally arranges their charts by ear! If the same is true for this, he did an amazing job. Very true to the original.

[@StrateleStudios]

Sometimes they like to add their own hot sauce to it so wasn’t sure hahaha.

[@RobertClaeson]

It's even better than that. L&F's aim is to do live covers of other groups' studio recordings. EWF can't perform their own songs live and make them sound precisely like their own studio recordings, for example. Quite a feat.

[@johnobrien5037]

Ive listened to both Chicago and EWF going back to the 80's and it's not just that musically hit the right notes, they capture EVERYTHING...the vibe, the rhythm, the spirit. They have an IT factor in their performances I can't describe, but actually gets me choked up it sounds so beautiful.

[@Blackgoldart1]

NICE!! 👏🏾😄

[@andywilson3813]

They have to be one of the best cover bands in the world right now 👏👏👏👌👌👌

[@jimwilliams4599]

L&F has no competition...they are the BEST at what they do...Horns, drums, guitars, orchestra, vocals are superb. Arrangements are impressive..Leonid has done things no one else has done!! 😀💥💥☝

[@CameronWingers]

You are right on, they are fantastic!

[@RobertClaeson]

It's a truly talented group of musicians in their own right, and together they're just amazing!

[@gabrieloscarvaldez1111]

Se te caen las medias y los calzones escuchando a ésta gente linda ... Cómo soplan esos caños son terribles lo que hacen saxo trompeta trombón son 6 y parecen 20 ... No me canso de escucharlos a todos son parejos el cantante primera voz más el coro son hermosos todos no tengo palabras ... Desde Buenos Aires Argentina gracias

[@naknaksdadn572]

In my opinion as a lifelong horn player who has played this song, Leonid & Friends have gone to another level of performance which is very difficult to replicate. To take something from Earth Wind & Fire and super enhance it to make it sound like this? Absolutely astonishing!

[@robote7679]

What an incredible cover. Sure hope this group is getting the notice it deserves. This was just a wonderful and flawless performance. And as always your comments were enthusiastic, informed and a delight to listen to.

[@scottyahney8565]

LEONID IS AGAIN A FREAKIN GENIUS !!!

[@davidfoxall8765]

I got to see them live in Birmingham, AL, a couple years' ago and they were just as good live! I have tickets to see them again in Oxford, AL, in March!

[@michaelhwenig]

This is awesome. Love the joy on their faces as they play and sing. They make it so intriguing to watch. 👍

[@gabrieloscarvaldez1111]

Esos Chelos suenan enojados son increíbles me encantan el baterista con lo justo es el ritmo que hace los trompetistas son el fondo destacado mi hermano me enseñó a escuchar todos los instrumentos a parte de todo lo demás ... Son increíbles me emociona al escucharlos con tanta precisión y el gusto alegre con que lo hacen lo llevan dentro son músicos de gerarquia no me canso de escucharlos ... Soy de Buenos Aires Argentina saludos cordiales maestros !!

[@jetfixer3207]

The crazy thing is when you hear them perform live they're JUST AS GOOD!

[@Rob89139]

I am familiar with the original version and this version is spot on

[@TheDivayenta]

Leonid also does the sound production. Saw them and cutie Daniil sing this live in San Jose!

[@cliverkay]

It's the drummer !!!

[@brianwest4335]

What's stunning is English is not their first language

[@vegaswillie]

Yellow is my new favorite color.

[@dennismcpeek9630]

It goes beyond tight with all these musicians! I always listen with my headphones, and every instrument is heard clearly! Amazing!

[@lindabergman3127]

Me too❤ it’s unbelievably gorgeous all their songs

[@michaelolivarez8056]

As a musician myself when you actually “Feel” the music and its meaning everything is as tight as can be, thus all the smiles! I so remember this feeling and its magic to say the least!

[@48dirtfarmer]

Pure joy.....best of the best

[@ericmcdowell5762]

I think the energy in that yellow jacket could power a small town.

[@StrateleStudios]

😂👏👏👏

[@Duh6666666]

Brilliant cover, what a great choice!

[@stevenwhitman9870]

they did a GREAT job with the song

[@brianwest4335]

Saw them live on their east coast 2023 tour amazing they have so much fun

[@kimk.4710]

PLEASE PLESAE PLEASE Do a review of Leonid and Friends - Vehicle anything these folks touch is perfection!

[@Hi4maga3404]

TIGHT yes! Such beauty and precision. Reliving the 70s and 80s with this band.

[@galaxycoder]

Their nuances to the original are so laser focused so its clear the arrangements are done by ear. These guys are so good, especially in this song, I find myself smiling and crying with joy. Their skill touches me emotionally. The two lead singers are so mind blowingly excellent.

[@marcelogarciascotti6449]

A special comment for the arranger of EWF. Hear and enjoy the second line behind the vocals. Amazing peace of geniality! Please get the B/G, and listen to it. A few times I ve listened such a superb combination! It took me for a ride of emotions and feelings. Damn, this is musical talent!

[@ericellquist7007]

Amazing isn't it? Music truly is the universal language. The next deep space probe needs to carry an inclusive catalogue of the music of earth, including these guys. To want something so bad that you do the transcribing, find the best musicians and convince them to join you.... I'm left speechless. It's not just good, it's the definition of excellence.

[@ascvip]

Watching you appreciate the work they do makes the performance even better. Thanks for the great reviews!

[@StrateleStudios]

Thanks for watching!

[@moon_cat7265]

Couldn't agree more, i get more out of seeing a professional with such admiration get blown away, thought it was just me!

[@Nancyshank]

Flawless!

[@philippepiveron4937]

And the love story continues !!! :-)

[@KuyaAccordionista]

Love your reactions! As a longtime follower of EWF, this is a beautiful and awesome rendition of "In the Stone". Agree with you that every aspect of this arrangement was so tight and the balance of every instrument interwoven with the vocals. I found myself thinking, "THIS sounds almost better than the original!" The musicians not only are extremely talented but you can see the genuine joy and their passion playing this song.

[@dbcanada]

Thanks, Jeff. A great feel-good song played to perfection. Love it!

[@rayanderson7074]

BRAVO!!!

[@woodrowwilkins149]

Fabulous.

[@KittyDad]

Yes, you heard it amazingly JUST LIKE EW&F!!! EVEN BETTER BECAUSE THEY ARE SO TIGHT!!!!!,

[@thierryjulien572]

Two words to define L&F : Joy and energy. Awesome group.

[@Tonzeff]

Another banger from Leonid & Friends, this again is another great cover which is very much a perfect reproduction of the original studio version, thanks for the reaction Jeff, I can't wait to see your reaction to Leonid & Friends version of Steely Dan's My Old School, I think you're gonna love it too.

[@samhaskins2506]

I grew up with EWF as well as Chicago, so can I definitely confirm the original is identical to the human ear. I challenge you to play the original side by side and you'll notice that even the timing is spot on! Thanks so much for appreciating this incredible band as much as I do. The very first time I heard them, I'm not ashamed to say, brought tears of joy from appreciating how faithful and accurate they are to the original recording.

[@matto9734]

Omg, I´m just binging your Leonid & friends reactions... so much FUN!!! That lead singers voice just caught me byv surprise, very positively! At the end of another video of them was Russia/Ukraine written in the credits - love that statement in these crazy and volent times!!!

[@StrateleStudios]

So good!

[@russleslie36]

The best I ever heard. You must do Speck of Dust by these guys.

[@jimwebster7317]

Love it...!!! Your reaction is also excellent!!!

[@deeglencairn2598]

We know how good L & F are with Chicago and EWF material in particular but really is there anything off limits to this talented bunch of musicians? The answer is a hard no. Love your work and your enthusiasm Jeff. Keep it up 🤩🥳🎉👌

[@gabrieloscarvaldez1111]

Ese final es tremendo !!! Un explosivo se me eriza la piel.... Señores ésto se llama MUSICA MUSICA MUSICA

[@johncourtright1632]

Thanks for this, Jeff! I knew you would love it! It's very faithful to the original recording, but with today's recording and mixing technology, Leonid & Friends really take it to another level! 😊 I can't wait to see your reaction to Leonid & Friends version of Steely Dan's "My Old School". It's gonna be fun!!

[@StrateleStudios]

Thank YOU John! 😊😊😊

[@rusty9129]

Let's not forget that they're singing in a language that isn't their own!! To achieve all the little subtle nuances in English is astounding!!

[@wunderbuckey]

Yes, Jeff. EVERYTHING you hear Leonid and Friends play is EXACTLY AS IT WAS ORIGINALLY RECORDED. EXACTLY. It doesn’t matter which chart, or which band. IT. IS. EXACT. Who else does this? NO ONE!!!!!!!!!!!

[@jazzmaster9426]

They are SPOT ON!!! They are the best of the best

[@kerriduquette630]

Your reactions are just like mine. They are consistently just amazing. I would love to see them in concert.

[@JesusDiaz-to9ev]

She looks beautiful dancing

[@EricCheramie]

Hello Mr. SMr. S...This group is amazing, and lets remember they are from Russia. That is a feat in its self. They also do Chicago covers that are awesome. Lets hear those. Especially with Leonid lead vocals. Thanks. You are doing an amazing thing here. Keep it up Eric in New orleans

[@IN2BEATS1]

When you hear the original version it will sound EXACTLY as this does. It is simply flawless.

[@anyviolet]

It is so amazing how perfect it was!

[@keithburrell9882]

OUTSTANDING❤❤!!

[@jimbizness3864]

So good! They make me smile. Every time. Love Andrey's horn twirl at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="243">4:03</a>. He's no longer on the band, but Valery (far left) has filled his shoes nicely.

[@mgalego4729]

They are simply the best!

[@Valrae69]

My favorite EWF song and for me one of the best intros in history and this tribute for me surpasses it.... Amazing!!!!!😯😯😯

[@rickymoore7251]

Horns are off the hook❤

[@markfarley671]

Spot on the original!

[@funkabyl]

EWF simply the BBEver !

[@JMJAZZR51]

Love this, this group is amazing! The unsung hero in all of their tunes is the mixing. It sounds dead on to the originals. That's the first thing I keyed in on when I first heard them. What a group!

[@JMrealgamer]

I will always love the original from EW&F, but Leonid and friends did a great update to this song! Everyone is great!

[@dfromcool]

Takes me back to the Summer of 1979! What an awesome cover! Definitely took In The Stone to higher heights! Great reaction!

[@Sebastien-yz5hl]

C'est magique, je me suis mis a danser sur mon fauteuil ❤ Merci

[@kirkfischer5770]

Great reviews. The mixes are superb!!

[@subby111]

you can even hear the claves clearly. this is surely ultra high class production level.

[@GasmanChris5705]

The joy on Leonids face 🙏❤️😎

[@tomoday4450]

The absolute best band out there these days 👍🏻

[@rickstadel5285]

I'd be glad to assert 'This is every bit as hot as the original!' Thanks for doing it.

[@jml-rj5re]

One of EW&F's greatest recordings. The original is super tight. Leonid and friends had their work cut out for them.

[@jml-rj5re]

I hear some pitch control. The playback is a little distorted, but may be the video..

[@jeffreyjacobs390]

How many times have we confidently said .... There is none like = 1) CHICAGO 2) Earth Wind & Fire 3) Steely Dan ..... well THERE IS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kudos you all, GBjj

[@469buck]

LOVE your reviews. And yes, these guys are the real thing. All of them!

[@StrateleStudios]

Thank you my friend!

[@CophiL65]

Безупречно!

[@chrismanzoni3586]

Especially amazing to me, as a non-musician, is that some of the vocalists also play small percussion instruments in their hands as they sing - and play them apparently perfectly, with no flubs or interference in the sound of their vocals or the overall mix.

[@wamebaravilala6042]

This is as close as it's ever possible to sound like EWF. What I love about Leonid & Friends is that they enjoy what they do....entertain us with memories that evoke another time and place.

[@mattthoumine7427]

Earth Wind & Fire were so far ahead of their time. This group are so faithful to the original but also have every base covered. Outstanding.

[@kerriduquette630]

And it sounds virtually exactly like the EWF version

[@chrisbauder3327]

This cover is so incredibly close to the original. I LOVE these guys!!!

[@erik1836]

The other group you reviewed I enjoyed but, no one gets me hopping like Leonid and Friend's renditions of whatever they do!

[@erik1836]

Shows what having the right leader leading a band can do in terms of inspiration, joie de vivre, esprit de corps and just plain lovin' every spoonful of the dollops of the precious time they have together working! Would that we could all be so lucky as to be part of such a magical, immensely talented group and be led by a leader who HAS to be a genius of the highest caliber. Imagine if we had such as he - with political gifts leading our country right now? We wouldn't be in the fine kettle of fish we have been deliberately thrust into - oh well, 2024 is coming - and God willing - a new wind, that was once there before - will blow into town and right our ship of state the way Leonid and Friends play every work they undertake - pitch perfect and spot on!

[@bnm0312]

They are so, so good. Joyous for sure. When they play Chicago, I'm almost in tears. Their take on "Fantasy" by EWF is terrific as well.

[@wkd253]

One Last Cry, A Brian McKnight song that Ksenia does is off the charts, talk about tight and her vocal range, so smooth and sexy.

[@davidbrownstein1464]

The smiles on their faces you referred to - very sincere! Spending time with them before and after the shows they are always smiling and truly happy to be doing what they are doing. Re "My Old School" video they use two brothers who are not part of the band. But even when they perform live without those two, they still sound absolutely terrific!

[@mgalego4729]

That guys are from Rox Bros, and they are really good. I just listened to their cover of "Bohemiam Rhapsody".

[@craighfh]

Loved it! After your review/reaction to L&Fs cover of My Old School, you really should go an additional layer deeper into the onion and listen to the Rox Bros cover of Bohemian Rhapsody. (They are featured in My Old School and Stormbringer covers and sit in in other studio versions from time to time…..HIGHLY skilled in their own right!

[@GB1Productions]

THE HARDEST-WORKING TRIBUTE BAND IN THE BUSINESS TODAY! BRAVO!!!

[@MarcG7424]

This is as close to the original as a cover can get I love they way they did it 👏

[@simplecarnivore]

Holy Jesus !!!

[@EM-qy7ck]

nice to have a studio pro appreciate the incredible-ness of l&f tributes as for fidelity of this cover, it is virtually note-for-note and perhaps (to my ear, anyway) better than the original "in the stone" has always been a favorite of mine, but it took a simultaneous left-right playback of both to fully understand how well leonid transcribed and mixed the tune... astounding keep up the good work, jeff!

[@StrateleStudios]

Thank you my friend! 🫶

[@christinakinne9790]

SO EXCITED THEY ARE COVERING EW& F NOW LOOOOOOVE IT❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@Duh6666666]

Those little hesitations near the end really do it for me also, how tight can a band be, wow!

[@jbach4311]

THE BEST!! I bet they did it just a couple Takes!!

[@jeffhartman7000]

This is a rare instance where the cover is a bit better than the original. It’s just a bit tighter and the mix is better: you can clearly hear individual parts here that were a bit blurry or lost in the EW&F recording. Much of this comes from taking full advantage of 45 years of advances in recording technology. I suspect that this L&F recording captures what it felt like in the studio back in 1979, without the limitations of the time.

[@albertgary7281]

I have been a fan of L&F for more that 6 years now. Funny you should mention Leonid's bass playing. I discovered them accidently following a bassist Dmetry Maximov on KZbin. I saw a video of him solo playing Make Me Smile. I had to see more and the next thing I am watching is Dmetry playing in the studio with L&F on two early videos, Brand New Love Affair and Make Me Smile. Being a Chicago fan from their Beginnings (Chicago Transit Authority), I was hooked. The band members have changed over the years but the caliber of their playing and presentation has not. There is not one wrong video. L&F is not a cover band. Is the Chicago Symphony Orchestra a cover band? I was thrilled to get to see L&F last year in Norwalk CT. If you get an opportunity to, do not hesitate.

[@russleslie36]

What makes this band so amazing, that with such a large group, it's so hard to get that tight. I have done my share of studio work and most times there is a lot of overdubbing but not with them. It must take a lot of rehearsal.

[@GasmanChris5705]

Banger ❤😅

[@markferry7927]

this was on the movie "Drumline"

[@RobertGOrtega-eh9zl]

These artist are just as good as the original and shows how anyone can groove.

[@barryanderson3910]

This song was, I believe, a favorite of marching bands. In fact, I think it was one of the numbers done by the drum corps in the 1992 film Drumline.

[@maryannarep]

I thought I knew all the EWF songs. This a new one. Great job!!

[@dttprice]

If you’re not familiar with this song, then you obviously don’t have EW&F’s “I Am” album. You really should get it. The entire album is awesome. In addition to “In The Stone”, it also includes “After The Love Has Gone” and “Boogie Wonderland”. I was 16 years old when it was released in 1979, and I got it on 8-track. As soon as it was released on CD, I bought that, and the whole album is on my phone. 45 years later, I still frequently listen to it all the way through.

[@nickson70]

I wonder who'll ever do covers of Leonid & Friends? I doubt there's anyone good enough !

[@bambangprihambodo4302]

L n F perfecto cover 4 EWF n Chicago