"I'm A Man" (Chicago Cover) by Leonid & Friends, Reaction/Analysis by Musician/Producer

[@rmarko52]

Flawless... as usual! Igor is a MONSTER.

[@Leftatalbuquerque]

That's "Eye-gor"...

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

Love this cover of a cover!! There’s no way to sit still, igor is smoking here.

[@TNKHART]

Love this song but man, Igor killed this one live. Can't wait to see them again this fall.

[@janicemartin2016]

Igor slays everything he does

[@John_Hazeldene]

The Chicago version is itself a cover of the 1967 original by The Spencer Davis Group featuring Steve Winwood on vocals.

[@AFmedic]

And The Spencer Davis Group's version is itself a cover of the original by Bo Diddley in 1955.

[@pablojose4890]

@@AFmedic I think they have the same name but Steve Winwood's song is different. The Yardbirds did a version of Diddley's.

[@nickavenoso7851]

@@pablojose4890Chicago changed the lyrics for their version.

[@vegasatc]

Love this tune! I was searching for this song on KZbin one night… it’s how I personally discovered L&F. So glad I did!!! (Vlad on cowbell killed it!) Great reaction Jeff! 👍🏼

[@TuTuFox]

Segrey ( sirey if I spelt his name wrong) the guitar player. Hes fun to watch. Hes on fire 🔥 May be up there with Prince👍🏽

[@vegaswillie]

Absolutely incredible. Igor is a beast. Nice to see him just go off. This really gave us a chance to see how great these musicians are individually. Then put all of that together and you have a world class group known as Leonid & Friends. This performance was amazing.

[@bradleyjjohnson]

Again, I'm in awe of Leonid & Friends. The drums, the bass, the horns, the vocals, and the endless attention to detail. Sublime.

[@ernesthastie-gg7kn]

IL say it again the guitarist is as good as it gets

[@kevgret]

Seeing the band in philly in June.. got front row seats!! so pumped to finally see this band cook in person

[@patrickray8777]

My dad saw them in Orlando in April and said they were so good it was ridiculous. I have tickets to see them here in St. Louis in Oct. Cant wait!

[@FunkinItUpaBit]

You definitely won't be disappointed! They're fantastic live. Makes me jealous...I'd love to see them again.

[@kevgret]

@@FunkinItUpaBit they were absolutely amazing!!! But they cut six songs from the show at the casinos request.. real bummner

[@rickodato369]

Amazing levels of talent. Words can not describe it. This band covers that most difficult tunes in rock and they never skip a beat. They must spend so many hours rehersing.

[@macedindu829]

At the live show I went to, when they played this song, Igor performed, and I'm not kidding here, a 15 minute drum break. At one point the man was on his knees playing his sticks on the stage itself. I started to question whether they were going to continue playing the song or not. It's funny this song is "I'm a Man," because I'm not sure Igor is. He must be some kind of space alien or something. He's not human.

[@yarasub]

Met them all at several concerts at meet and greets. The nicest,warm hearted and humble group you'll ever meet. I always sit front row being disabled and they would always pull me out of the long line of people waiting after the show to get autographs. I woiuld get a little embarressed but they always insisted and signed pic's and the drummer gave me a little russian doll key chain.

[@robhargis6980]

Superb as usual. I'm a drummer watching in awe of Igor's flawless and smooth fills. Very inspiring.

[@davidnelson8081]

I believe Serge is actually in his studio in ukraine while the rest are in Moscow. This is awesome live. Everybody leaves the stage while Igor does a 10 minute solo. Incredible!

[@JayScott-ze8mc]

When L&F first posted this song, I listened to it 4-5 times in a row just to bathe in its perfection. Thank you for this one, Jeff!

[@stevesolbakken6365]

They do this in concert. It's Igor's moment in the spotlight. He jams.

[@caprise-music6722]

Wow!! To pull that off like that.. never ceases to amaze me these cats. Just incredible! Also, I don’t have to say; I need more cowbell(or wood piece for that matter lol) those percussionists killed it. Magnificent groove all around. And ofc Igor is just fabulous in everything he does! Brilliant performance! Can’t wait for more

[@rebeccalipps23]

The trombone player on the block & sax guy on the cowbell with the drums always pins me to the back of my chair.

[@jimrentz]

Going to see them live in concert next week in Jacksonville, Florida. When I saw them last year they did this song and it was amazing with Igor killing those drums. He was beating those skins like they owed him money! I'm hoping for a repeat this year. Of course, I'm 70 years old and I remember when the song first came out by The Spencer Davis Group, with Steve Winwood doing the vocals. Spencer Davis Group, Chicago and Leonid and Friends all three have their own play on the song and I love all three. But if I had to choose to just listen to one version for the rest of my life...Well, Leonid and Friends would be that choice. Great job, Jeff!

[@mgalego4729]

"He was beating those skins like they owed him money!" Laughing a lot here! I totally understand the reference!

[@tomoday4450]

Best band around 👍🏻

[@ernesthastie-gg7kn]

The guitarist is fantastic

[@davidbrownstein1464]

They play this near the end of their live concerts. In the middle the musicians leave the stage while Igor does an 8 minute solo. Just incredible!

[@StrateleStudios]

Wow! 👏👏👏

[@karensaldanha4760]

At many Chicago concerts, I always loved watching James Pankow (trombone), play the cowbell during the percussion section of this song. He would move very seductively with his moves being as sexy as possible by wearing no shirt and leather pants. Oh man! So when that joke came round about "We need more cowbell", I always think of this song and James Pankow. It's just hysterical.

[@janicemartin2016]

Sergey is magical on he guitar lead

[@janiscollette1737]

Finally!!!! Amazing!!! Right? We all knew you'd love this one!

[@luisrebolledo8123]

En una sola palabra en cualquier idioma, estos chicos de Leonid y sus Amigos son fenomenales. Los he oído también cantando las canciones de Earth Wind & Fire y me han dejado muy impresionado. Excelente banda y siendo de origen y habla natal rusa cantan en inglés de manera impecable.

[@Sixwheelin]

Love this band! I'd love to hang out with these awesome musicians for 1 day. BTW Jeff I love the Gary Numan shirt. His 1979 hit Cars is still one of my favs! Cheers!

[@thierryjulien572]

I was 15 when I heard Chicago' I'm a man cover in 1969. L&F COVER is as good as Chicago' s one. Too top. Thanks again Jeff.

[@steveerickson145]

Saw them LIve in Iowa!! Met the Band and talked to Igor!! He is Fantastic!! The Buddy Rich Of Russia!! Fantastic show!!

[@davidnelson8081]

I haven't heard a drummer like that since zi saw Buddy Rich in the 70's

[@peterkoeppl]

You said it, Jeff...in your face!

[@KC-ro7zp]

Great Reaction !! ..this is in my top 5 Leonid & Friends video.. They are smooth, multi , talented , brilliant. Great Chicago music 🎸🎶

[@christianmaheu9565]

Igor is not only an excellent drummer he is also a good song writer. The other day I came across a song called Mama, sang by Vasily Akimov from Land F with Irina Kozlova, The song is written by Igor Javad-Zade lyrics and music. It's in russian but very good.

[@gindie1]

Irina Kozlova is Igor's wife

[@jbach4311]

Thanks SOO MUCH Debbie!!! I saw them Live in the States! Suggest everyone see them. Igor did a 10-minute drum solo. They did not bring their String Section to the States, I missed the Strings. Jeff Your The Man!!

[@DOC36121]

You should see them do this live! They have made it into a 10-minute plus drum solo! Incredible!

[@nothing-b2n]

These people are my go to,,for Chicago songs,,,they are fantastic

[@dan_outside]

I was wondering how long before you gave your take on this one; knowing how much you love the “funky” bass. And of course, Igor. Always awesome to hear .

[@dotlund1096]

Hooray! What a great surprise. I’ve been waiting for this one. Thanks Debbie! Got the good ear phones out. 👍

[@tj5073]

Igor & Danny in a class & style of there own👍Next LEVEL

[@dbcanada]

Thanks, Jeff. A great cover of a great cover. Love it!

[@cliffcohen6517]

Your enthusiasm and love of the music is simply terrific! I so enjoy watching your reactions which mirror my own!

[@Eloso3135]

So good! This was off the first album back before they shortened their name from Chicago Transit Authority to just Chicago

[@JT-wn7wb]

Killer track!! superbly done!! 🔥Thank you so much for sharing!!

[@samhaskins2506]

What is even more amazing is that Serge Tiagniryadno from Ukraine was performing from Kyiv while the rest were in Moscow for this recording. So sad this Sergey Kashirin, such a natural lead guitarist is no longer with the band. Thanks for reviewing in such depth such a powerhouse of a number which has always held the attention of serious rock enthusiasts!

[@michaelbradley7529]

This was the first song where the horns didn't quite hit my ear right. Can't really pinpoint why. The drums were the star of this show.

[@dotlund1096]

Now that you mention it...I didn’t really hear the horns either. Guess I’ll listen again.

[@gindie1]

I don't believe the horns have a role prior to the drum solo. If I recall from their live shows, the horn section does the cowbell, etc.

[@michaelbradley7529]

@@gindie1 The horns came in near the end of the song, I think it was the harmony that was chosen that my ears didn't like.

[@TheoSmith249]

Originally written by Steve Winwood with out horns. Chicagos version introduced discordant horns in the second half of the song. So the horns are second fiddle in this song.

[@leokamphuis]

@@michaelbradley7529 yes it’s definitely the vocal harmonies that are slightly off in one section

[@debbygoodwin489]

I'm so glad I got hear your review of this song. I think this fantastic!!!

[@billdCT97]

Was hoping you would get to this one !!!

[@gregharmon3797]

When we saw them live Igor did about a 12 min drum solo that was unbelievable

[@vansmack4972]

Yes Igor is a great drummer. But those 12 minute drum solos are a little too lengthy.

[@brianwest4335]

More cow bell the best SNL skit

[@brianwest4335]

Got the old school rocker vocal this man is off the charts

[@erik1836]

Got my motor running! It is pure joy to watch and listen to Leonid and Friends - not a single person who - by his genius and brilliance - he has drawn to him is not absolutely, positively, indubitably first class. Whether we are talking in the realm of music, writing, law - you name it - he and his band of merry men and women - stand as an example of the levels to which we all, may not have been born with the God given abilities to achieve - but - to which -we all were put here on earth - by our Father in Heaven - to aspire. After all, given I believe in reincarnation and that we build up our good (talents) karma and bad karma during our lifetimes that then manifest in subsequent ones? We all - I believe - do have hope of "arriving" at such an august and enviable level! Think how many dive bars Barbra Streisand and Frank Sinatra must have had to sing in over the ages!

[@11sophiemarie]

Terry Kath would be so happy with the care taken in covering this song. The talent of those musicians is truly impeccable. He'd even want to jam with them. Bravo everyone 👏👏👏👏👏

[@mikerichardson961]

DAMN!!! Way to go Igor!!!

[@sudahb]

That poor cowbell!😆

[@taylorw]

I’ve been trying to think what separates these guys from, well, anyone else. How’s this: the tunes they are playing, powerful to begin with, are jacked up by the today’s technology. And also because these guys have larger chest cavities…or something. Thanks for this re-introduction to Chicago. And these guys.

[@StrateleStudios]

“larger chest cavities” 😂👏👏👏

[@bradpeterson5299]

Amazing!

[@markbolt3029]

Igor is Clark Kent! Walking down the street, he looks like just some random guy. Then he walks through the studio door!

[@StrateleStudios]

Hahaha yes!

[@delightschwartz2155]

And utterly destroys the kit lol. All without tweaking an eyebrow.

[@JT-wn7wb]

Please find Rare Earth by this group if available . Thank you!!

[@tods.9947]

It’s great to see Andy Warhol on the cowbell. 🙂

[@StrateleStudios]

😄

[@morbiouslenoir]

I love the guitarist doing his Terry Kath thing but the drummer rules. Really good.

[@AFmedic]

Who are we kidding? That guitarist IS Terry Kath reincarnated.

[@Duh6666666]

Igor is a pocket beast, he is always banging!

[@valerielynn7256]

Love them so much can you react to there Version of your the inspiration

[@roykliffen9674]

Those horn-players playing percussion - block and cowbell - are awesome too. It's not easy to maintain the same percussion sequence during (almost) the entire song. I know; I tried.

[@rosemaryromick6176]

Lot going on here!!!!

[@davidlevine1697]

this song can be so tedious if not played at this level, and Igor drives it home every time. live, its like a runaway train. have you gotten your tix for the 2024 tour yet?

[@stevemclean5787]

I miss Sergey on guitar. Konstatin isa capable guitarists but Sergey has better chops and brings a lot of charisma to his craft. He's also a damn good singer. His vocals on Beginnings is spot on and sounds very much like Robert. And lastly, he speaks English pretty well.. Too bad his other commitments interfered with touring . For a real treat take a look at their performance of the US natl anthem on the last night of their 2021 tour. Tissue alert! *sniff* 😢

[@anthonyscully2998]

When i first heard the Chicago version I thought it was Hendrix

[@daninglish7067]

As “clean” as Danny Seraphine, or perhaps even Buddy Rich on one of their best days!

[@debbicozart7130]

👋🏻👋🏻👋🏻👋🏻 good morning Jeffy 👋🏻👋🏻👋🏻👋🏻. I knew you would like this. 😂😂😂

[@StrateleStudios]

🫶🫶🫶

[@AFmedic]

Something that is Not mentioned is that for every cover, Igor has his kit tuned perfectly to match the sound of the original. A person can play a song flawlessly but if the kit isn't tuned right it just won't sound right.

[@BakerStudiosIndy]

I use Igor's tracks to calibrate my metronome. ;)

[@howieharkema8576]

🤍💛🧡💗💚💙💜🤎🖤✌

[@squatch545]

Needs more cowbell.

[@paulmallon9033]

The guy with the tambourine in the separate studio is stuck in the Ukraine at the moment,I hope he’s safe