Is ANYONE Cooler Than Leon Redbone?

[@aliashurricane9349]

Leon was my sister’s best friend Ashley’s dad. He was a very odd man even after his time in music. He would mow the lawn in basically the same outfit he wore in this video! Hat and suit everywhere even on the lawnmower 😂 They lived near New Hope PA the next town over from me, and they just sold the Redbone property after he passed away and the new owners destroyed his house which was as wacky and magical as Leon was. A completely fascinating man and musician.

[@jerryfields4837]

we need more insight into this mysterious genius, tell us more please?

[@thomaslind3258]

Yes! Finally Leon gets some spotlight. Thought I was the only one still going back to his old records.

[@simply_psi]

He was one of the greats for sure, he should have had much more exposure than he got. RIP Leon

[@Dedalus2k]

His album Christmas Island is my all time favorite Christmas music.

[@petercarlson8858]

In case you aren’t aware, Leon passed away in May of 2019 at the age of 69. R.I.P. Mr. Redbone…

[@simply_psi]

Such a legend, one of the all time Jazz greats

[@larryzackeroff9889]

I have been a Leon fan for the past 40 years. I have been able to see him live several times in small venues. I also dabble with a guitar. He truly is one of the greats. RIP LEON.

[@ronmitchell8304]

Leon Redbone! My Dad got me started on Leon with the first album. I've been a fan ever since.

[@myrlstone8904]

Was genuinely saddened when Leon passed away.

[@bkizmusic]

Love that you did a Leon Redbone video. I’ve loved jazz for a long time and was originally a horn player. For me his stuff backed by piano, clarinet, tuba, trumpet, etc… it’s just the best. I especially love his album Branch to Branch

[@kensherman4146]

Loved your Leon Redbone reaction. I enjoyed watching how much you enjoyed him. I have seen Leon live a couple times. He was so entertaining. Low key performer, but every tune was a toe-tapper. Please do more of his music.

[@chadg3677]

Totally agree. I saw Leon at 4 or 5 times and he was quite the understated showman and one hell of a player, vocalist and funny as hell. Sometimes it was with a piano player, sometimes with a clarinet player, sometimes just him and a lamp onstage. Everyone should check out one of his live albums for a little taste of his one of a kind magic. Such a welcome relief from our busy, noisy world.

[@keithelmo]

Great video. As a kid I was going through my dads record collection (70s) and saw a Leon album. I saw him on the cover a just had to play it. He was so cool looking.

[@fditty276]

I saw Leon Redbone once back in I think 1977, in central park. He opened the show for David Bromberg and he came out with just that guitar solo and played a 45 min set and he was like a machine. He was just so GREAT ! Like you said a very underrated artist!

[@joemousey]

It was really fun watching someone as talented as you both gush over/deconstruct one of my all time faves

[@RobertDeMartin]

I found you because I just found Leon and the rest is history! My only musical achievement in my life was playing Silent Night on a family piano without any training. All I knew was where "C" was! But I enjoyed the whole 17 minutes with you because you are very genuine and I like that. You definitely have a great influence on guitar players. I don't know if I'll be back so I want to do something for you in return for the pleasure you have given me. Please listen to a young singer, Angelina Jordan, and I know you'll enjoy her very much. Many, many songs on you tube and I suggest you listen to her sing her version of 'Crazy' on tik tok. Thanks again, MIchael and good luck with your training classes.

[@smalleranimals]

First concert I remember being taken to had Leon Redbone and Doc & Merle Watson as headliners. 1976, Lenox MA. Got a picture with Merle.

[@bogreen5204]

I'm a big Leon fan. Michael check out the playing on his version of Ain't Misbehavin. Fingerstyle perfection!

[@MrKittenmitts]

Oh man! Ive been dying for you to do some Leon. AWESOME

[@shervinvakili4787]

Love your choices and your enthusiasm and love of music. I've discovered many artists because of your channel.

[@35D28]

The answer to your question is... NO Saw him at the Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia years ago, was one of the very best performances I've ever witnessed.

[@Eric777-r1h]

Oh! I missed it, but I'm watching it now, I had a cassette of a Dead set, and on the side B it was Leon! Champagne Charlie and others! 😁😸👀

[@carriesogge2818]

I want to go Up a Lazy River... With my Lazy Bones....

[@jukejointjack]

Saw Leon at Mc Cabes guitar shop in Santa Monica and it will be forever etched on my mind.

[@Lemmy30294]

I learned so much from old songs with sax solos. Can’t go wrong

[@ulrichfriehe3459]

No one is cooler than Leon. The song was also covered by Oliver Hardy, where I know it from.

[@rachelkopel5678]

I haven't had time to watch for a while and then THIS. I loved him from the beginning. Yes, coolest person ever. Yadda, yadda. BUT NOW, Two years into this, I was able to grab my ukulele and somewhat play along. Everything you said made sense. Listening to you two years ago convinced me that someday I might be able to understand what you were saying. *Keep it in your hands, play it every day* helped me decide what instrument I could do that with. I am *early intermediate* now and I LOVE PLAYING MUSIC. Thank you for your inspiration.

[@thundernels]

My Walkin’ Stick

[@paulboudreau3754]

Bob Dylan loved the guy. I think he helped get him a record deal. I first saw him on SNL back in the 70s. He was also the guy from the "This Bud's for You" commercials.

[@Endless_Skyway_Adventures]

I tormented my friends with his album in the 70’s. I simply couldn’t understand how they didn’t get it. Check out Diddy Wah Diddy just as a fun song.

[@doctormojo]

Saw him about 25 years ago in San Francisco - at the perfect venue, the Great American Music Hall (a former Edwardian high-class brothel)

[@ScooBdont]

I still remember the theme song from “Mr. Belvedere” the 80’s tv series. I saw him many years later on, if I remember correctly, Arsenio Hall as the musical guest and instantly knew it was the same infinitely smooth and cool gentlemen. Props to you Michael for giving him some love 👍well done sir

[@bawilms]

One of my favorites.

[@troubleondemand7703]

Love me some Leon! Bonnie Raitt said he was her favorite guitarist. The man was the walking embodiment of the American Songbook despite being Canadian (by way of Cyprus). Some of These Days is great track to check out for his playing. A contemporary and life long friend of his from Toronto is David Wilcox who also a pretty great player in his own right.

[@mikesakas]

I saw him perform on Saturday Night Live sometime late 70's bought everything he had..

[@hobonickel840]

He was definitely shining of what's real... one heck of a polished soul If you like characters with soul for days check out "Shiney Ribs" !!!

[@jeffmcpeek2526]

His album On the Track was one of my musical epiphanies.

[@benzuckerman]

You are correct - he may be the coolest of all time! The real deal! At 8 minutes in you start to analyze the coronet solo, and I was thinking the EXACT same thing: it is SO VALUABLE to learn solos played on other instruments. I would like to learn some of the clarinet style soloing they do in New Orleans jazz, for example.....

[@mikebeaumont7558]

Thanks Michael. Appreciate you!

[@bwilliams463]

Leon had a distinct guitar style. He was totally capable of playing lead, but as he became more popular, for some reason he took to playing rhythm on his album cuts. If you want to hear him cut loose, look up Leon and his group playing 'Diddy Wa Diddy' on Carson's 'Tonight Show,' or check out his recording 'Step It Up And Go.'

[@kurtkish6970]

Yes- Cool incarnate. Soooo many subtle things with his voice and guitar playing while he’s virtually not moving, although you know he’s feeling the shit out of it.

[@hengehog838]

Alfred Apaka is the Hawaiian cool musician crooner and songs with meaning. So good!!! Same genre

[@GuitarGerber]

It strikes me that the horn solo was reminiscent of what Jerry might have done with that same space.

[@PoPcheesemo]

You should really give Steve n Seagulls a listen. I bet you would find them amazing!

[@johnqclark5155]

Best concert EVER!

[@michaelserkey6951]

Leon Redbone was a great talent. I have been a fan of his for 50 years.

[@valogden]

Loved him! Curious if you have looked into reacting to 14 yr old guitar prodigy Taj Farrant. He has a number of videos from his tour and his channel. He recently released a couple of songs Crossroads and Cruz that he wrote and they debuted at #1 on the iTune blues charts in the US and Australia.

[@jeffwolinski2659]

I saw Leon about 35 years ago at the long gone Ethel's Place in Baltimore, a great small venue. I got to talk to him a bit after the show, he was recently in a Budweiser commercial singing "this Bud's for yooouuuu" while he was flying around in space. I asked him if he had been flying in space lately, he laughed and said "ahhhh, once in a while, once in a while". Absolutely one of the coolest humans ever, and a damn good guitar player, this video isn't showing much of his ability.

[@TheJhtlag]

Haven't thought about Leon Redbone in quite a while. Really enjoyed him though, one of those guys who wasn't in my swing zone for music but I would look over in this other direction and enjoy its relaxed and entertaining style, he's unique. A couple things, I saw him live twice within a week and everything was exactly the same, even what I thought was an adlib gag to his sidekick at the time was evidentially rehearsed. (I suspect this is true of most talented musicians, even a Keith Richards despite his image is probably a perfectionist) and his interesting background story being born in Cyprus and eventually moving to Canada, you'd think he grew up on the Delta somewhere. Nothing wrong with that, going someone and inventing yourself. Interesting comment about "true harmonies" and the difference between those who can play chords and those can only play single notes at any moment.

[@rrotwang]

Saw him at the Beacon in nyc with Rodney Dangerfield

[@shawnwildes1336]

Highly suggest the song Red by IDk (feat. Westside GUNN, MF DOOM and Jay electronica). Such a fun beat and a good listen

[@matthewbrandon931]

I was just singing Leon's Harvest Moon yesterday.

[@rfvelk]

One of my favorite songwriters is John Gorka - he's a great guitar player. Check out his song "Blue Chalk" - kzbin.info/www/bejne/bmeWY3Vsocyng5o

[@ericgerber9751]

He is absolutley fantastic, especially the song Blue Chalk! Love seeing other songwriter fans here!

[@James_Blazer]

What a badass he was

[@Samalyzer45]

My god man! Are you really having to look for the tune to "Shine on Harvest Moon?😄

[@suzphillips8162]

Hello Michael, I knew Leon and I run a Leon Redbone site for his fans, friends, family and everyone who loved his music. Requesting your permission your video there.

[@redmosq4197]

I dug that

[@jirikrajnak9047]

the amount of energy on display here is lower than my bank account balance by the end of the month.

[@admin777admin]

no, there isn’t anyone cooler than the g-d r.i.p. Leon

[@jukejointjack]

Border of the Quarter

[@mikelord9860]

Leon started gaining traction in the early 70s when he showed up on the Friday night rock programs (!) like ABC's In Concert and NBC's The Midnight Special, and he looked and sounded exactly the same! Another great source from that era is the recording Old Fashioned Love, by John Fahey (Takoma, 1975). Side One is duets by Fahey and Woody Mann, Side Two has three jug band pieces from the 20s, bookended by two solo pieces. PS: Concerning your mid-vid commercial, you CAN slow down the playback speed on YT clips - go to settings and click playback speed and choose.

[@jimflores9098]

Not one human was ever more cool...

[@cottond62]

You ought to look up Victor Borge. Absolutely brilliant...but he plays the piano.

[@salsonny]

Ya he was cool

[@themusicalmixtape]

Seriously, there is NO one cooler than Leon Redbone.

[@jackcurtis7825]

Stick to the music! That's the problem with you liberal teachers you egotistical ways won't stop. Shut up and getting more in depth with amazing music? This man was a absolute amazing icon! He will not be forgotten!

[@menglish9294]

He kinda sounds like the guy from the lorax

[@WoodenWizard]

JJ Cale could be cooler, or just as cool

[@hypnotoads]

No, there are none cooler

[@kellyoneal2217]

The answer is no. Absolutely nobody cooler.

[@shanemurphy3417]

Taj farrant is cooler. Because he is only 14 and writing blues classics ⚡️

[@madgepins1967]

No one wants to watch you try to figure out one chord for 20 minutes. Move on.

[@leedavis3704]

I love Leon Redbone and I’m 73 he has been around a very long time