"You’re the Inspiration" (Chicago Cover) by Leonid & Friend, Reaction/Analysis by Musician/Producer

"You’re the Inspirations" (Chicago Cover) by Leonid & Friend, Reaction/Analysis by Musician/Producer
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This is a reaction video used to educate and give feedback related to the artist and the song.
*Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. No copyright infringement intended. ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNER.

[@TNKHART]

I think Leonid and Friends is more than just a cover band. They bring new life into all of these classic songs.

[@lionheartroar3104]

They are sounding better than the latest version of the "real" Chicago....sad but true.

[@AmirFazadh]

@@lionheartroar3104 I gotta agree. I've seen a couple iterations of Chicago, and a couple iterations of L&F, and I actually know and have played gigs with Chicago's drummer, Tris, and the energy of L&F is logarithmically higher than Chicago's. They have a lot of joy that the original band just doesn't have anymore. To be fair, I'd probably not have as much pizzazz in my playing after 50+ years of playing the same songs...

[@Hahirs]

They don't just cover the songs, they make them better than the originals!

[@user-hu5yv2es1r]

I really like Jeff, he is so positiv. It’s just nice tomes him. And of course his comments on LEONIE AND FRIENDS. I’m so happy!

[@user-hu5yv2es1r]

… I meant „ to see him“

[@keithcorso385]

You’re right Jeff. The horns were more prominent in this version. The guitar at the end was also a flourish. They actually in my opinion turned this into more of a power ballad.

[@warrenwilson1437]

Spot on! An incredible band!

[@georgevassey3729]

This band meets and exceeds the finest levels of talent I have ever seen.Five stars plus!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@jamesbarr516]

Chicago 17 really deemphasized the horn parts (except in Along Comes a Woman.) Leonid has decided to use them like Old School Chicago rather than 80s Chicago. And I LOVE it!

[@johncourtright1632]

Jeff, L&F added their own spin on it, AND I LOVED IT!! The horns and guitar were pure Leonid & Friends!! The ENERGY was NEXT LEVEL!!

[@daffydad]

Hi you were hooked after 10 seconds just like i was,werent you

[@chrisbauder3327]

The horn parts were added by L&F. This song, well this whole period for Chicago saw a great deal of turmoil in the band. There was Peter Cetera, Bill Champlin and David Foster who were pushing the band for pop hits, which was supported by the label, wishing to sell records and then there was the rest of the band who wished to continue to write and record songs as they previously had. One of the BIGGEST bones of contention was that Cetera/Foster were all about leaving as much of the horn section out of songs as they were felt horns were not current in pop music circa early 1980's. So, it's really amazing that Leonid was able to create horn parts out of whole cloth that perfectly match that which Jimmy Pankow might have come up with himself.

[@JayScott-ze8mc]

Yes. I have always said David Foster was the worst thing to ever happen to Chicago.

[@rickstadel5285]

Yup -- me too. And there's other work of Foster's that I'm OK with. But goodness sakes, that change of emphasis for a group as talented and unique as Chicago -- especially at that point in their career / and that point in music history -- was just a colossal waste of their remarkable gifts. David Foster was just wrong.

[@Hettepop]

the extra horns make the song more “Chicago-y”😊

[@janicemartin7560]

Serge is so good. I hate that he and Sergey( guitar master) are gone

[@valerielynn7256]

Yeah me too that was 1 of his last songs with the group and he was so good I hope 1 day he joins again

[@erb34]

Hoping for peace

[@wallyhusak609]

Much FULLER !!! OMG So GREAT !!!!

[@Colletepaula]

Very clean 2.50 precise.i believe them!

[@OkBoomerG4mer]

Leonid and Friends is by far the BEST cover band ever. I love watching/listening to them.

[@libation2473]

Ksenia is my new favorite female singer. I probably would have never heard of her if it were not for your channel. I already knew about Foxes and Fossils and love them as well. I don't check out any cover bands because they usually fall short. Leonid and friends are not your average KZbin cover band. They are professional to the highest level. Thank you!

[@cw7064]

What A Group.

[@markfarley671]

If L&F ever come anywhere near where you are, make a point to be a part of the audience. They will blow you away and you’ll leave the show with a smile on your face. It is a special treat.

[@macedindu829]

Can confirm.

[@rickstadel5285]

Also confirm.

[@oliviaedralin1436]

Finally they are coming to Lake Tahoe, California,,,,,NOV 8th 2024!!!! Bough tickets already!!🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹

[@raulgarduno301]

..best band covering legends!! alright!!!

[@patrickhill8748]

Respect Jeff!! We all appreciate your comments and reaction.

[@iyorit1089]

Their perfect copy always reminds me of the splendor of the song. I think David Foster made a big contribution.

[@vegaswillie]

I'm really at a loss for words that accurately describe how damn good this group is. Wow

[@Diegocurt73]

Wow, just amazing. They nail Chicago! Just incredible performance. In some ways unlike this version better than Chicagos!!! And that is saying something!!!!

[@sclewell777]

Yea horn parts were there but never heard them. There was newer horn parts and the lead guitar was also added. AWESOME

[@JayScott-ze8mc]

Whenever Leonid adds a brass arrangement where there wasn't one originally, he's always able to do it in the sound and style of the original artists. Not an easy thing to do. Brilliant!

[@R8135003]

Knocking it out of the park again. Smile time!!!!

[@davesanders2325]

Jeff: Great song, great reaction. You too are the inspiration.

[@kiyoshi2]

As the original band is aging or losing members, I am very grateful for the existence of such a tribute band that can convey the beauty of the original songs. Please keep up the good work and keep posting without losing out to the tactless crowd.

[@YvetteFrost]

Oh my goodness so amazing 🎉

[@TheoSmith249]

You know this was not one of my favourites as originally recorded, but there is, as you said, a fidelity that surpasses Chicago. Damm. They are just superb.... and Jeff. Run the channel the way you see fit. Its obviously growing. All of us music fans love what you do.

[@elwoodervin3878]

Danil and Ksenia are taking the high end for sure. Horns are pretty spot on with a few added fills.

[@frankdoyle3716]

Fantastic! Your reaction says it all.

[@jbach4311]

Jeff, Just Phenomenal!!! Normally a Singer or Musician is considered a Clone of someone. But the Entire Group is a Clone of Chicago. You must see them live! All the Best Jeff!

[@rickstadel5285]

And the hard thing to accept is, they're JUST AS GOOD LIVE ! !

[@KenGaumond]

They are a feel-good, sound-great, look-amazing group. more, MORE, M O R E !!

[@amarhassan7029]

Worlclass music from chicago and leonid and friend

[@TerryWilson3]

The horn parts they’re doing are charted by James Pankow the trombone player and are played when they do the song live. However the original recording produced David Foster did not have the horns much to the chagrin of many in the band. They started adding this horn arrangement around the 2007 period I believe. What makes Leonids version so great here is it captures the production process used by Foster at the time with stacking of vocals, gated verb, etc with incorporating what the band is doing now with it. The back stories on 16&17 are pretty interesting. I’ve lucky enough to interview Champlin, Imboden, and some others on my show and the behind scenes of this era and later are pretty interesting. Being a Chicago fan is like really getting 3-4 different bands under one label, which makes them so unique in many ways. Great video!

[@Colletepaula]

​@TerryWilson3 extra horns are good yes o my goshh is right!

[@Colletepaula]

In the Peter cetera and Orchestra, there was that type of set up it made it fuller and more incredible quality . This live musicianship orchestra makes it come to life

[@tonychieffo1756]

I believe they added the horn parts in the early section of the song, but what I thought was amazing is that they match the type of horn arrangements that Chicago would use with James Pankow. It fit the song perfectly! As far as the guitar solo near the end of the song, Chicago has implemented that in their live performances for quite some time now, but not so much in the studio version. Another home run by Leonid, especially with the strings!

[@rayanderson7074]

It just doesn’t get any better then these Fabulous Musicians!!! Ty Jeff…

[@melporter8043]

They do Chicago better than Chicago. Pure joy!

[@oliviaedralin1436]

This was the very first song cover Leonid and Friends did and I was,,,, HOOKED ever since!

[@bruceswingle3068]

I understand this will be a slap in the face for true Chicago fans, but to my ear, this band's reproduction is as good as if not better than the original group. I believe that Leonid adds a few personal touches to some of Chicago's songs. This guy is crazy good.Amazing!!! 🙂

[@wallyhusak609]

Chicago was and are Great, but this group takes it to the NEXT level !!!

[@dbcanada]

Thanks, Jeff. That was impeccable!

[@dennismcpeek9630]

It blows my mind that Leonid & Friends nail all the songs they play, covers or their own. So much talent as a group! Keep up the good work, Jeff. A whole bunch of us enjoy your analysis and reactions!!

[@NEWYORKERhector1]

the Ukrainian Serge amazinggggg voice !!!!!

[@TheDivayenta]

I miss him and I hope he’s ok as he had to return to Ukraine when that war started. 😢

[@gozirraizroose]

Only got to see them live once, just before Covid - what an outstanding show!

[@cynthiasofranko1835]

Serge (lead singer on this video) is actually recording in Ukraine. The guy that mixes the sound does a great job. There are multiple videos that Serge isn't with the rest of the band. Thank you for reviewing so many L and F songs! They are fantastic in concert too!!

[@petey0404]

So good to see him again!!

[@TheDivayenta]

Leonid does the mixing.

[@ernesthastie-gg7kn]

Some times I think do we deserve to listen to these absolute brilliant dedication musicians they are as good as it gets and if it better they will stil be as good as it gets

[@megstsauveur6881]

I’m not crying! 😭 This is so beautiful! Perfection! 🩷🩷🩷

[@biundo63]

This is more like the live version Chicago plays in concert. This is an incredible rendition of this song from 17!

[@brianwest4335]

Watched Lenoid, Igor, Roman podcast of them in a Ford 150 transport their equipment thru Alabama just talking music at times in Rissian

[@TheoSmith249]

That was pretty neat

[@dotlund1096]

I love watching them journey. Man, they do a LOT of driving. 😊

[@bradcozart5703]

Fast ball right over the plate and driven over the center field fence 😮. This band blows me away every time. All smiles and great musicians. Smiles here too. Thanks again Jeff

[@bruceswingle3068]

Hi Jeff. Love your channel. Very upbeat and positive vibes. Thanks for that! I stumbled across Lenoid and Friends about the same time you did. I watched about 1/2 dozen of their KZbin clips and honestly sat there with my mouth open and a nervous excitement! I wondered the entire time, how is this even possible!?!?! I figured this couldn't be real so I watched and rewatched to try to "catch" mistakes. OFC I couldn't find any! I am still amazed with this group and especially love your reactions. You sound like ME............haha {{DOWN WITH TROLLS}} Sadly these people are living a very lonely life and are simply trying to bring you and everyone else down to their level. Keep up the great work. Take Care, Bruce in Canada 🙂

[@Hettepop]

my absolute favorite L&F song!

[@valerielynn7256]

Same this 1 and I’ve been searching

[@Hettepop]

I can’t stop listening to this!

[@Hettepop]

and one more time 😊!

[@Fjllegovideos]

Thanks again Jeff thought you would appreciate the cover!

[@RobertoDiAguiar]

Very good

[@rickbowman21]

So. Dang. Good.

[@marceumere]

After you said that about the Horn section, I went to checked it out the original, and as you said at least for my ears, there is no horns section arrangements in the song and by the way, that killer guitar sound and that solo were amazing, So "LUKE" style. Thank you for let us know your thoughts in this awesome tribute. Greetings from Argentina

[@bnjmnwst]

I got Steve Stevens vibes (Top Gun Anthem) from the guitar solo.

[@michaelgwfrogwelge]

Goose Bump City!!! 😎

[@caprise-music6722]

Absolutely beautiful!! Wow!

[@vestadesigns]

This is the best cover band ever. They bring back the memories too, of what I was doing when I first listened to Chicago, Earth, Wind and fire and so on. Thank you Jeff for your commentary. I hope to see them in person some day when they are out on the East coast.

[@rgoers]

This is NOT a cover band. This is a bunch of GREAT musicians that take some of the best songs written and make them their own. IMO they don't really try to emulate the original band. Instead, they take what the original did for inspiration and then make it their own.

[@StrateleStudios]

🫶

[@jeffreyharvey8111]

Need to listen to the song “I’m a Man”. Terrific drum solo.

[@StrateleStudios]

I did a reaction to that gem as well. Check the L & F playlist I have to see what I've watched...it's a lot, hahaha.

[@GordonA-Jr]

They are absolutely unbelievable!!! Wow they take me back, incredible

[@rustytrotter1677]

Keep on man!!! Love your opinions and knowledge!!

[@StrateleStudios]

@@rustytrotter1677 Thank you my friend! 🫶

[@robprussock8697]

David Foster wanted to get rid of the horn section. There were no horns or very little in the original. This version sounds much better! On another note i would love to see a reaction video of L&F So Very Hard To Go, a Tower of Power cover. It is amazing.

[@SteveSmith-ez1gd]

Could Serge be Peter Cetera’s love child??? What an incredible voice!

[@thebiggestskiver]

From the UK, love your channel Jeff. The more you watch and listen to L&F, the greater your astoundment at how they reproduce these wonderful Chicago tracks. I love the mix on this and that you only realise when you see the end credits, that Serge is singing from Kyiv, Ukraine and the rest of the band are in Moscow.

[@dotlund1096]

I appreciate your reaction and thoughts on this song. It’s not really a fav of mine, but now I can see it in a new light. Thanks!

[@toreg.nyhammer6328]

I had the same feeling listening to it, that there were some things that I had not heard before. But it sounded really good 👏👏👏😍

[@peteabrh-fairest9463]

Leonid arranges all the sheet music with slight musical license when it comes to his individual arrangement of the original score. The original score differs somewhat to Leonid's arrangement, so yes, you are absolutely correct. It just adds some beautifully melodic complexity to the original. He does this occasionally, and I think it just goes to showcase the phenomenal skill of the musicians in this band. What an absolutely incredible arrangement!

[@BoronBobcat]

I've watched almost all of these originals. But seeing your reactions is so much fun. Keep them coming.

[@sandrisjansons1515]

The guitar riff at the final end was sumply blowing away . Great job , and tone was so perfect !

[@jonshannon7096]

Much more epic than I remember. Agreeing about the clarity of new sounding parts.

[@DOC36121]

They are the best, even when they add their own spin to the music. Never lose the character of the piece!

[@agathavandoesburg7297]

Love Chicago, great voices and the lyrics ❤Takes me back to my youth , thanks for choosing this one Jeff ❤😊

[@avediskayayan9836]

WE LOVE YOU JEFF AND WE LOVE YOUR OHNEST COMENT,,FROM UK

[@dmfjkc]

Jeff, agree with everything you said on the vid. Thanks to you and MIke/requesters for introducing me to this group. Love how rich it is with all the instruments. Vocal melody is high, and they still smoked it on the high harm. One thing I wish they would do in production is to back off on audio effects. I realize it goes with the song's era somewhat, but I think they've got the chops to sound better with less alteration. Hungry for more great musicianship and less machination.

[@kimghanson]

You mention the killer backup/harmonies by two outstanding lead vocalists and that reminded me of something Ann Murray said. She did an album with Glen Campbell. When they started trying things out, Glen started singing and Ann chimed in with a harmony line. Glen exclaimed, "Hey, she sings harmony?" Ann explained that it is amazing how many top echelon singers can't sing harmony and that explains his joy and mild surprise. It led to a fine album and is one of those oddities of singing that I've always remembered.

[@bigholmes7]

Leonid actually added parts to several of the Chicago songs. He says " He wrote them the way Chicago wanted them".

[@bradpeterson5299]

This is so amazing. These guys are the best cover band. Followed by Rumours of Fleetwood Mac and Brit Floyd

[@dswil212]

If it wasn’t, it should have been in there!

[@samhaskins2506]

Yet another excellent review of the genius Leonid and his talented musicians he managed to gather. The best thing for me about Leonid's covers is they give me THE SAME EXACT FEELINGS I had when I first heard these songs originally in my college days! Other cover bands don't even come close because there is always some discrepancy that throws the end result whereas Leonid has put SO MUCH EFFORT into, dare I say, at times, a richer sound than the originals. Serge from Kyiv killing it on the vocals!!! Thanks Jeff for giving Leonid and team the added exposure they deserve! A fine example what can be achieved when politics is not involved! Wonderful to see you totally blown away by what this incredible band has put together! Hahaha! I've just noticed your studio name! You like Fender Strat's & Tele's by any chance? You're right about the horns, I went back to listen to the listen to the original after your video, and could not detect any horns at all. Is that a Fender Jazz Bass Leonid is using just for this number?

[@rgoers]

This is one of my top 3 L&F songs. As I recall this was right after Sergey left the group and was replaced by Danil and Konstantin. Personally, I love this way better than the orignal Chicago version. I much prefer Serge to Peter Cetera. FWIW, it took years for Leonid to find a song for Ksenia to sing lead on. Their first video was in Dec 2017 and I believe her first lead was in "Leave Me Now" in Oct 2020. I was so glad when he finally found material for her. And then, of course, he found the Karen Carpenter song. That was just unbelievably good!

[@jackarmstrong1838]

So, either one of two things happened on Chicagos studio version- Peter Cetera sang all the vocals, or Peter sang lead, and the Robert and others sang back up. HERE, with Leonid and Friends, you have international STAR Ksenia singing backup and the other backup singer does quite a few leads for L and F. Either way, the vocals here are probably superior to the originals becuase of Ksenia. Just FABULOUS.

[@scotttaylor7211]

I was thinking the exact same thing concerning the horns and I’m a brass player.

[@brtherjohn]

In live performances, Chicago brought the horns in and is very similar to this version! All the better!! (Sorry David Foster...)

[@EMAITCHESS]

Thanks, Jeff, for a wonderful reaction station! Love your insights. Please consider reacting to the video of “Superman” by Real Bodrit, featuring a rather young Sergey Kashirin, later of Leonid & Friends. Although not sung in English, it really rocks and is awesome. Thank you.

[@james0071943]

Ah Jeff. I love your reviews. Especially when you’re playing something from Leonid and Friends. I have to try to not go too long here because there’s so much I want to say 😁. The first time I saw you was when someone asked you to play Ksenia doing Karen Carpenter’s Superstar. If I’m not mistaken, I think it was your first introduction to Leonid and Friends. Your reaction to her and all of Leonid’s precise reproduction of all the nuances of the original music was just like my own reaction. I had to wipe away a couple of tears 🥲. I thought I caught you doing the same. 😁 I stumbled upon Leonid and Friends a couple of years ago while searching for some Chicago music to listen to and was blown away with this group of Russian artists. I love watching their sessions in their studio. Anyway, I just wanted to touch base with you and say how much I enjoy your work. Sincerely, Jim H.

[@valerielynn7256]

This probably my favorite by them it was so good I put it up there with the Original from Chicago they also have hard to say I’m sorry too hope u react to that one too

[@pauldesmond9873]

Danil Buranov is the back up singer along with Ksenia.

[@ernesthastie-gg7kn]

Dedicated

[@davidlevine1697]

i believe you mention in a different video that you will get to see them when they are near you this fall. me, i just bought tix for a second show here in NYC as they have been asked to extend the gig to three shows from 2. i also got the meet and greet. i can't wait to meet them and just say thanks for the music, the groove ,and the vibes.! one thing i think ponder when watching these L&Fvideos is the camaraderie of the band members old and new, permanent or sitting in. when i was in high school i was in a rock band and i know i sucked at bass and could not play and sing at the same time. 😥 the guitar player and lead vocalist in our cover band, was amazing and had perfect pitch. i spent all my time trying to keep up, and feeding off of his energy in what i now realize was a diminishing manner. i was always so afraid of disappointing him and the other band members who were also much better musicians than i was at the time that a lot of the time i could not relax and enjoy the moment. these guys, L&F, are all so good and on the same stratospheric level of talent that they just feed each other their energy and vibes in a most positive manner. its all giving. i think i was taking. ☮❤🙏

[@mochs3869]

I don't know if I'm the "Mike" you're referring to - I did suggest this but it was a few months ago - but if it was me...."I told ya so" lol This and September are my two favorite songs by them. An HSCC suggestion I'd have is "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" - either version. They first did it 2 or 3 years ago, and recently released an updated version of it a couple months ago. Both are spectacular. When Kat jumps up to the high harmony during the choruses it's pure goosebumps!

[@megstsauveur6881]

This was amazing! Check out L&F ‘s cover of Hard To Say I’m Sorry! It’s so good! 🥰🥰

[@patrickhill8748]

They absolutely kill that one as well!!! Even more amazing live.

[@thierryjulien572]

Chicago' Foster period. No more jazz-rock but pop syrup.

[@TheDodgefan9]

Jeff, What is your favorite of the Leonid & Friends videos you have watched so far? This one? I was fortunate to see them on their tour in Texas last year. They go all over the country, so go watch them live!

[@erb34]

Hi Jeff hope you saw the rick beato interview with dirty loops

[@StrateleStudios]

I did…I was hoping for a more in depth exchange but it wasn’t bad.

[@kerrybray1475]

The original recording had no horns. They added the horn arrangement later and play it in live concerts.

[@jeffreyjacobs390]

This Russian lead singer in this is STRONGER HIGH TENOR than Cetera .... whose voice is great - knowing when to use a strain or falsetto, pull back and his savvy as a singer makes it all it is............ whereas this singer herein has such power in the upper register he pushes (DELIVERS FULL OR NEAR FULL CHEST PRESSURE ) in high notes very few can handle. Great stuff. jj

[@lamarravery4094]

@@jeffreyjacobs390 Peter's better and there's three vocalists here.

[@naknaksdadn572]

This horn arrangement was not quite exactly the same as the original. Some notes were changed (actually for the better) and also stylistically played with a different flair. Andrey Zyl for example brought some of those notes way up. He plays such a magnificent style of horn which is a very rich and full sound, which i admire so much. Oleg's mastery as a Saxophonist supports the entire horn section. Maxim's trombone playing is also so damned full and brings out that bottom. Konstantin's guitar solo is absolutely different and again, done so superbly. That's my 2 cents on it for what it's worth. ~Scott~

[@poppab389]

If you listen to some of Chicago's live shows, you will hear a lot more of the horns. They cannot be heard in the studio versions and remasters.

[@rogerdsmith]

They bring their A game, every time.

[@sclewell777]

A+++++++++++!!!!

[@bertvolpacchio4047]

That is Chicagos live version

[@SPohl-zy4rz]

I noticed the horns were different too, Jeff. Too bad the war has kept Serge Tiagniryadno in Kyiv. He's really a vital voice to their sound.