"Introduction"(Chicago Cover) by Leonid & Friends, Reaction/Analysis by Musician/Producer

[@chrismowrer5767]

I'm 74 yrs. old and had the privilege of witnessing IL Leonid and Friends last September in Wabash, IN. I had following them on You Tube since 2018,. That night, Ksenia introduced "Superstar" and it brought tears to my eyes. I was such a fan of Karen Carpentet and her rendition was spot on! I'm now subscriber to your channel. I like how you don''t interupt the videos and you seem to have knowwlege of the aspects of musical groups. Thank you!

[@Lbfent2]

I get tears in my eyes listening to Leonid & Friends covers. It's like these great bands of the 70's have been resurrected in real life !!!

[@lindabergman3127]

Yes so do I 🎉🎉🎉everytime I hear them❤

[@christopheryochum3602]

Leonid's transcription abilities are beyond amazing. There's no fake book.

[@markkunkle8356]

I’m glad you found Leonid & Friends. They’re my favorite band. Seen them live several times. Keep listening to them.

[@steve-qe1sv]

Note for note, beat for beat…. Amazing. Igor is a machine!

[@russleslie36]

As a drummer myself, I noticed how he plays different sets for different tones depending on the tune or group their working on. He's one of the best at what he does. So clean.

[@Eloso3135]

Leonid & friends talent level combined with modern recording methods bring these treasures back to life in way that just has to make you smile.

[@rhm5158]

What’s so amazing about this band when they play Chicago, is how much it sounds just like the record. They are phenomenal!

[@jimbizness3864]

Thanks for another excellent review. Always fun to see your reactions! You lock onto the most important and impressive musical aspects of their performances. Vasilii is the perfect choice for this piece. Max and Andrey playing the brass parts like the pros they are, rhythm section spot on, Sergey beautifully covering Kath, and it's all tied together by the world's greatest shaker player. 😊

[@StrateleStudios]

🫶🫶🫶

[@davidbrownstein1464]

At every concert, this is their opening number. Gives the individual musicians a chance to demonstrate their skills! At one of their first USA concerts, Sergey (the guitarist) got to meet Kath's daughter and hold his original guitar. Also, Javad is considered the best drummer in Russia!

[@jackarmstrong1838]

God, I hope he is. He is like a freaking metronome on drums

[@stevetsuda7474]

My first ever concert in 1970, I'm old, was Chicago and when they opened with this song it blew me away.

[@TedBrown-og5yb]

Leonid and friends...they do justice to Chicago music

[@TincupPgh]

There are so many different musical elements in this performance it's difficult to single out any one of them in particular. The Chicago song was game-changing in a sense, fusing together elements of rock, jazz and even big band gusto. If you heard the song the first time, your reaction was "WTF was that?" so you listened to it again and again to enable the kaleidoscope of musicality to melt into your brain. Leonid and his band captured that essence and that says it all about their command of their instrumental crafts. That's also the mark of pure genius.

[@vegaswillie]

@TincupPgh Wow. The way you constructed your comment is as impressive as Leonid & Friends are. That is saying a lot. Well Done.

[@lindabergman3127]

True😂

[@cecilr7986]

You don't realize how good, how intricate, how sophisticated some groups music was until you see other musicians performing it. Leonid and Friends are just the best. It's given me a fresh appreciation of some of the classics.

[@StrateleStudios]

👏👏👏

[@lindabergman3127]

And until you see a fantastic tribute band covering their excellent songs n musicians genius years later😂💯perfection imo

[@Nancyshank]

One of my favorite Chicago songs. They killed it! Horns sounded great.

[@johnhiggins6800]

This band is seriously insanely good! I think I've seen every song they've covered to date. And to think that their respective countries are at war with each other. That's crazy.

[@jamesrawlins735]

I'm also so happy that they were able to survive Covid when they weren't allowed to tour at all - I don't know how those musicians were able to survive.

[@jeremymcmahon3863]

Love when they do Chicago stuff. Vocally they have a guy that does the Terry Kath vocals, the guitarist does Robert Lamm’s vocals really well, and they have the Cetera voice covered too. It’s just tremendous how they can do it.

[@carlfogelin1388]

"Introduction" was the first song on Chicago's first album, Chicago Transit Authority. The reason for the tempo changes is that it gives you little snippets of all the songs on the album. Reminds me of the intro that occurs in musical theater. As to Leonid & Friends cover, it is spot on. They're an amazing band and I was fortunate enough to see them perform last year. If you get the chance, it is so worth seeing them live.

[@StrateleStudios]

Ah an overture. Very nice.

[@billoneil6594]

Great review. Love this band. They play each song like they wrote it.

[@lisedonsgrnning6518]

Oh, c’mon ….. totally mind blown here!!!🤯🤯🤩🤯🤯🫠🫠🥰😅😃 What a great start of the day here!!😃🥰💚🌱🌱🌱😄 Thank you for your wonderful reaction/analysis, too, Jeff - loved this! 👌🏼🎶🎵💃🏼🫶🏼🥰

[@pedrodeazevedoconceicaonet2969]

I started listening Chicago when i was thirteen years old in 1970. Thank you Jeff

[@stevetsuda7474]

This singer also sings in their cover of "One Fine Morning " by Lighthouse which is also outstanding!! Must see

[@dbcanada]

Thanks, Jeff. I bought that album in 1969 and it really inspired me. I was lucky to see the original members in concert twice during the 70s. Great album; great memories.

[@johncourtright1632]

Same. First album I ever bought. Iconic and life-changing!

[@michaelgwfrogwelge]

@@johncourtright1632 I also bought the album when it came out & I turned several others onto the band. Also saw them live twice; better live than the album first time--- vice versa second.

[@johncourtright1632]

@@michaelgwfrogwelge Leonid & Friends is such a blessing. They're keeping this great music alive. I had the privilege of taking my son to see Chicago when they were touring with Earth Wind & Fire. What an amazing concert that was!

[@georgianalabella7852]

They Are Great. What a Band. True Pros Love Them. Awesome. 😊Pete Siny

[@alanreynolds4944]

Such a brilliant performance and so perfectly reviewed. Any musicians watching this will understand the complexity of this song with the different time signatures and perfectly presented by L&F. So good 😊

[@Beauty-and-the-Dia-betes]

Saw their outstanding performance at Penn’s Peak in Jim Thorpe PA, opening with Introduction. No one believed me when I said they’re just as great live as they are in studio. I converted quite a few people to loving L&F as much as I do. Thank you for your reaction to their music. BTW I just found your channel recently, I look forward to more of your videos.

[@StrateleStudios]

Your KZbin name cracked me up! 😄 I’m Type II

[@Beauty-and-the-Dia-betes]

@@StrateleStudios I’m glad I was able to give you a laugh. Us diabetics have to stick together.

[@Beauty-and-the-Dia-betes]

@@SnarkierThan-U-R I’ve seen them twice in concert, yes they sound just as good live. Ever hear of a sound mixer before? Go check out their Musikprob video on L&F’s channel, it’s a full concert.

[@pepevisedo7304]

"Introduction" opened Chicago's first album and was, therefore, the first song I heard from the band. I was impressed. A declaration of principles. Leonid & Friends play "Introduction" with an intensity and conviction that not even Chicago had. Certainly much more intense that any other cover band I've ever heard. Maybe because of the very powerful rhythm section: drums, bass and guitar. There aren't many like this. Amazing, very amazing

[@jamesrawlins735]

Usually the only time I've ever heard a cover of Introduction is by a university Lab band - but you can tell it's a lab band and not a rock band that can handle this level of jazz and rock. So many time changes and key changes in this song - it's intimidating. Yeah Sergei is just amazing with his ability to play like Kath. But the unsung heroes are Leonid (who plays bass on his own arrangements) and Igor, who is as good a drummer as you can find anywhere - simply rock solid - my guess is he might be the best drummer in all of Russia.

[@Earman54music]

I can't wait until May when I see these guys in a cozy 300 seat venue!

[@stratcat3216]

Wow.. they finally did this song!!!! whoot.

[@dcartier100]

Oh Ya I am 67 and getting nothing done listening, YES KEEP THEM COMING !!!!!

[@StrateleStudios]

😂🤣😂👏👏👏

[@vegaswillie]

This song gives everybody a chance to be featured and to shine. Everyone of the musicians are at the top of their game. From a pure talent standpoint, I dont think you can put together a group with with more talent than Leonid & Friends.

[@yarasub]

first record I ever bought, liked the cover art,never heard of them. Man l stroke gold. Kept requesting Leonid to do this and when they finally did. I just lost it. Im 72 and still love them and Leonid is keeping them alive in pure excellence. Saw them 9 times and leonid 6

[@TheoSmith249]

Give the horn players some love in the melodic bridge @3:02...so nice.

[@megstsauveur6881]

This is incredible! I had never heard this song before and I’m a huge Chicago fan. My introduction ( see what I did there) was their later stuff like Hard To say I’m Sorry and Love Me Tomorrow. Thank you for this! 🩷🩷🩷

[@TheoSmith249]

One of the Podz bros playing the hi line on the guitar crescendo

[@jeffreyjacobs390]

JUST A JOYFUL EFFORT IN WONDERFUL CRAFTSMANSHIP MAKING MUSIC ..... this piece - pieces really - is the flexing of trained musicians wanting to express themselves in intricate movements coordinated in Horns, strings, percussion and keyboards & vocal ..... nailed it YOU ALL - God bless, Leonid and friends !!! Thanks you GBjj

[@ripmcmanus773]

Just fantastic. Love this cover band. I wish they'd do more BS&T from the David Clayton-Thomas era. Vasily's voice would be perfect for songs like Lucretia McEvil and Go Down Gambiln'!

[@MyWeirdRecordCollection]

These guys have made me late for dinner so many times because I was hooked into watching their videos.

[@thierryjulien572]

CTA was the second album I bought together with Abbey Road. I was 15. Chicago is one of my favorite group. LEONID & FRIENDS IS UP TO IT for this Introduction. All covers are top . Best regards to them.

[@naknaksdadn572]

October 19th, Dosey Doe, Spring, Texas.. 3 years running and I'll be there!

[@lindabergman3127]

They most definitely tore this up simply outstanding 😁

[@tomoday4450]

Absolutely the best lineup! Incredible 👍🏻

[@colleenmonfross4283]

Oh my gosh, made me cry! I so miss this kid of music, it's real with real musicians and real instruments. Nothing like it and it is so missed.

[@StrateleStudios]

Love reading that it affected you as well! 🥹🫶🫶🫶

[@karelvandervelden8819]

And realize how fantastic these first albums of Chicago were half a century ago.

[@caprise-music6722]

Flippin amazing!! Wow!

[@yarasub]

There is a reason few chicago cover bands around, to dam much going on and you must have studio chops to pull it off. In both bands your hearing world class musicians. i.e guitar solo,leo's bass lines, horns all of them and the drummer. all mind blowing Let me tell you they do this live just perfectly.

[@chrisegbertky]

Undeniably talented!

[@tomoday4450]

Phenomenal 👍🏻

[@jonshannon7096]

Introduction changed the game. It proved rock converted many genres.

[@TheoSmith249]

Great point. I agree and had not thought of this.

[@goodehands5388]

If you love music, this is the top of the top!!!!

[@janiscollette1737]

Ifyou love this drummer, you've got to hear "I'm a Man"! I'm sure youre getting a ton requests for that one!

[@kathygoldade6959]

Mesmerizing!

[@philippepiveron4937]

With the stratosphetic interpretations of L&F, Jeff always comes close to coma! :-D

[@samhaskins2506]

LOVE this song from the Black Album! (With "I'm a man," on it) when Chicago was still called Chicago Transit Authority. LOVE THE BASS LINE during the horn solo!!!! So Sergey K went to a Telecaster for this track rahter than his Gibson, interesting! Serge T must have been in Kiev for this recording, notice the different backdrop.

[@rogerdsmith]

It’s always fun to see Ksenia smiling……

[@СергейНиколаевичНикитаев]

Very cool

[@CEG3RD]

Take a look at the Sing It Live videos. Some of the same people from the HSCC group. Small basement studio sounds great and pro musicians and singers.

[@gindie1]

Ironically, this video (Introduction) was the last one with guitarist Sergey Kashirin before he left the band to concentrate on his career writing for TV and movies. Also, the touring was taking him away from his young family.

[@erik1836]

Jeff, I have no knowledge of these things but, in your opinion, was this entire song performed in one take or might they have simply edited it so seamlessly by using cuts and used the soundtrack to mask that there were stops and starts?

[@StrateleStudios]

As you said, I don’t have any specific knowledge about this particular band, but I can tell you what Dirty Loops does. In my interview with Jonah, he told me that the track is pre-recorded, and they play with the track live. That way the performance is synced with the audio recording. This all allows them the freedom to edit, however they want.

[@erik1836]

@@StrateleStudiosWe humans are inventive folk! The amount of knowledge, creativity and dedication that must go into a high level production of any realm of endeavor. But, that is part of what makes it fun. No pain - not gain and if it were easy? Everybody would be doing it.

[@vansmack4972]

Unfortunately the band isn’t the same without the guitarist Sergey Kashirin. But I still highly recommend Leonid and Friends.

[@howieharkema8576]

🤍💛🧡💗💚💙💜🤎🖤✌

[@sandyshore2712]

Hey Jeff...If you wanna see L&F you better act quick. Their shows are always sold out.

[@aliassmithandjones9453]

what a contrast these kickass vintage Chicago songs are compared to their 1980's era formulaic drivel that I find unbearable

[@michaelbradley7529]

To be honest this is my least favorite song from Chicago, but these guys still made it sound great. The trombone player made me remember my grandfather who played trombone for Lawrence Welk back when he was on the radio (before the TV show).