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Leon was excellent- lots of energy, just banged his setlist off one after another. Unfortunately McPhillips Street station really had poor sound quality, it sounded worse than my old, old transistor radio.
It was straight in and out for this man. He didn't move from his chair behind the keyboard (at the side of the stage) for the entire night. No interaction with the audience, not even to acknowledge Winnipeg. Musically, the star was overwhelmed by the accompanying band (which was quite good).
Leon Russell made his debut appearance at Winnipeg’s McPhillip’s Street Station last night (11/1/11) to a packed house. The legendary piano man started as a studio player in L.A.’s famous Wrecking Crew, and has played with countless big name artists in his 50+ years in the business. His career, which has seen many ups and downs, was recently revitalized through his collaboration with Elton John on the 2010 album The Union. The veteran musician took the stage to cheers and applause, appearing much like a charter member of ZZ Top, sporting flowing, long white hair, beard, shades, and a white cowboy hat. Without a word, the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Famer started into “Delta Lady,” the song which kick-started his songwriting career, when Joe Cocker recorded it and brought Russell in on his 1970’s “Mad Dogs and Englishmen” tour. Though walking slowly with the help of a cane these days, Russell’s fingers still fly, and his distinctive voice is instantly familiar despite the gravel and huskiness developed over the years – kind of a cross between Willie Nelson and latter day Bob Dylan. Russell’s tight young backing band is more streamlined than past years, and includes long time bass player Jackie Wessel, Brandon Holder on drums, Chris Simmons on guitar, and multi-instrumentalist Beau Charron. The Lawton, Oklahoma native set a pattern, weaving back and forth between his original compositions and an eclectic range of classic blues, country, R&B, and rock n’ roll standard covers, each song receiving the benefit of Russell’s adept arranging skills. A cover of Buck Owen’s “Rollin' in My Sweet Baby's Arms” was followed by Russell’s opening track to his 1971 album Leon Russell and the Shelter People titled “Stranger in a Strange Land.” Russell completely dispensed with theatrics and stage patter, sitting Buddha like behind his keyboard, serving up gems from his solo career such as his “Dixie Lullabye” and “Hummingbird” from his 1970 self-title debut album, intermixed with covers by the likes of BB King (Sweet Little Angel), Ivory Joe Hunter (Kansas City Woman) and Sam Cooke’s “Let the Good Times Roll” (sung by bass player Wessel). Mid-set highlights included honkytonk style versions of The Stones “Wild Horses,” Bob Dylan’s “A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall” and The Beatle’s “I Just Seen A Face,” followed by the carnival atmosphere of Russell’s biggest single “Tightrope” and a moody cover of Ray Charles’ “Georgia on My Mind.” An acoustic set highlighted the lead vocal and slide guitar talents of guitarist Simmons tackling Robert Johnson before turning the solo spotlight back on Russell in his best turn of the night, performing the magnificent self-penned jazz standard “This Masquerade” (popularized by George Benson), along with the soulful “A Song for You” from his solo debut album,. The band returned for the home stretch, which featured an eclectic medley of rock n’ roll classics performed a la Russell including “Jumping Jack Flash,” “Poppa Was A Rolling Stone,” “Paint It Black,” “Kansas City,” and winding up with Jerry Lee Lewis’ “Great Balls of Fire” and Chuck Berry’s “Roll Over Beethoven.” Finishing with this tip of the hat to his fellow rock n’ roll legends, the iconic Russell waved to the crowd, picked up his cane and exited, leaving the crowd howling for more. He never said a word all night, but his songs and musical talent spoke volumes.
What can I say. For a man that is 69 years old. He still can perform with the best of them. And what a backing band. Who was that guitarist. Chris Simmons i believe was his name. Reminded me of a young Eric Clapton around the Layla Sessions. I wish Toronto would get more artists like Leon Russell. I know that John Hammond Jr. comes to Hughes Room every Jan/Feb Now that's another show to see.
it was an excellent show put on by Leon Russell at the Sound Academy. There's a good reason he is an inductee to the Rock and Roll hall of fame.Maybe it won't be so long till he comes again!
Very disappointing ... this is the first concert we have walked out on. Not sure if it was the sound mix or the singing, but we could not listen to more than 4 songs. Sorry Leon, I was a great fan in the 60's & 70's ... guess I had to be stoned!! Even one star is too much to give this show..
an excellent musician that didn't connect with the audience. this was partly due to the fact that he was impossible to understand, muffled and his words were indistinct. perhaps he had marbles in his mouth.
For an artist to be proclaimed as been forgotten about in the past few decades, Leon Russell put on an unforgettable show for all his fans in Toronto!!! This gentleman has played with all the who's whos in music. His playlist with well in tune with his greatest hits and all the classics from his repetoire! Hope to see him again in the future, hopefully Toronto or another venue in Southern Ontario stays on his future perfoming dates!!!!! Thanks again Leon & to your band for the amazing night filled with great music done with a touch of class......Rock on Master of space & time.................
Just a tremendous event at the Sound Academy! Paul James opened and warmed up the audience in expert fashion. Played some awesome blues, a Dylan cover (Like A Rolling Stone) with energy and great enthusiam. Leon, the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, had a killer band and did a great set of some of his best originals and spectacular covers (These Times Are A-changing, Roll Over Bethoven). It was a blast!
The show was amazing. great opener from Paul James. Leon and the band were great, the venue was intimate, without being too coffee house-ish. This was the 3rd time i have seen Leon, and the best of the 3.
With great expectations we went to the Sound Academy on July 13 to see the great Leon Russel. We arrived a half hour before the doors opened, and my brother was waiting for us in the front part of the line. We were told that we could not go to the first line, that we had to stand in the second lineup at the door., I was not allowed to give my brother his ticket, in that line, so he had to come to our line and we lost our chance to have a seat. No big deal but annoying. While we stood in line outside, we had the displeasure of the horrible smell eminating from the garbage dump across the way.. it was disgusting. finally the show started and we forgot the small annoyances and were excited to see the performers. Paul James was great, the sound was not . When Leon began his set, the sound was even worse, you could hardly hear his voice, drowned out by the drums, piano and the mediocre sound system. We stayed for 1/2 an hour but it was terrible I wonder if the soundboard guy had lost his hearing.because I kept hoping he would adjust the sound. Very sorry but next time I will buy a DVD and sit in comfort watching HD and listening to the music the way it should be. .
Just great to see this legend perform. Just went from song to song, his band as Leon usually has, were terrific young musicians. Loved his encore as he told the audience this is where I usually go off stage and everybody yells 'more more' so the next 2 songs are my encore.
