This was the video that started the phenomenon known as Leonid & Friends! Leonid did this video as a retirement/birthday gift to himself. He wrote every single part off of an illegal bootleg copy of this Chicago album that Leonid had listened to countless times during the rise of the Soviet Union. A truly awe inspiring feat on Leonid's part!

This was the song that started it all. When Leonid wanted to bring together a few of his friends to celebrate his 60th birthday by recording his favorite song. Amazing what has followed since it was discovered....Man...I love this group....

Great music is a gift from God. It transcends language and cultures with healing powers. Leonid and friends take this gift to levels that are amazing. When you think you've heard their best, they present something better. The band exemplifies what love of music is all about!

Wow. What an absolute treat to listen to Leonid sing. What a beautiful voice

I believe this is the very first song recorded...in honor of Leonid's retirement.

Being a keyboard player I appreciate adding the Hammond to this song is a nice touch and melodic

THE song that started it all! Thank you Paisan! ❤

@dotlund1096

4 ай бұрын

Every time I hear them sing “and celebrate the new day” I feel like it’s a prophecy for their future that they’d yet to know.

Wnna hear this band soar with something very different and a full blown orchestra? Check out "Speck Of Dust". It is mind blowing.

This is the oldest video on the official L&F page. The original one!!

This was their first video.

Thanks, Jeff. Hard to believe that was 9 years ago! It's great that L&F are still on their wonderful journey.

@barryanderson3910

4 ай бұрын

I've gone from old to older listening to them.

This was the first of Leonid's Chicago videos. It was a self-birthday gift. Luckily, he wasn't the only one!

They cover this song so well! It's their first KZread video, I've watched it over and over and it sounds better every time. L&F had a short livestream yesterday, talking about the upcoming spring/summer tour. You'd absolutely love them in person, they're that good. Looking forward to seeing them at the end of May.

The man is a GENIUS!! and he assembles musicians of real talent ! Extraordinary talent in all Leonid & Friends videos/songs ! (Did I see Ksenia in the background??)

@tomgrassia5830

4 ай бұрын

Yes you did JW! Good eye!!!

@dotlund1096

4 ай бұрын

The version I’ve watched doesn’t have their beautiful Ksenia.

@jimwilliams4599

4 ай бұрын

She's not singing....in the background early in n orange dress.near the end she is clapping to.......@@dotlund1096

Another Chicago song I had never heard before. It's starting to give me a complex finding out I'm not as knowledgeable as I thought I was.

I also agree with the concept of singing in Russian. What is really impressive is to see Kzenia singing in Chinese. The brain power to command so many languages.

I’ve watched this so many times...I especially love watching (and listening to) this bass player. Part 2 is the best! Thanks for another great reaction. 😊

This just made me happy!

Love his voice. This group honestly has no equal. They stand alone. Oh, Ill stand with Ksenia. Alone thank you

That's what I keep saying about the second or even third languages that they're achieving, is really remarkable!

The day I heard this I was hooked, the second section is one of my faves!

I always wondered why Chicago never released this song and “What’s This World Coming To?” ( two of my favorite Chicago songs). And, what two songs did Leonid release first?

So very thankful and grateful this song took off the way it did... and gave us L&F! Can't love this group more. ❤❤❤

Wow! I’m seeing that this was the OG song for L&F it gave me some goosebumps. Beautiful rendition. Jeff I can see you’re having fun with classic songs. More please! I love music of my youth, just nothing quite like it now. Joe

I believe this was one of their earlier postings. It is my understanding that several of them did/don't not speak English and were, therefore, singing these words entirely phonetically. That makes it all the more incredible. I know that several now speak the language, but I believe they have improved the phonetics substantially since this performance was released. I really love these guys (and girls). As always, thank you for sharing. Steve

Great reaction! That was a great point about singing in another language. We are actually the odd ones as most other countries these days have children learning a second language practically when they start talking, although that wasn't nearly as true when Leonid was growing up. You will definitely notice how much better his son Roman speaks English than Leonid does when you watch some of their announcement clips or see them live (Roman acts as their "manager" and introduces them). Leonid also sings lead on Wishing You Were Here. I am very surprised that hasn't been requested yet. That and Hard To Say I'm Sorry are two I might request at some point if no one beats me to it.

Leonids gift to himself. I agree Jeff, it's amazing that they sing in English which is not their first language. I have trouble singing in English and it is my first language 😮. I heard that Vasily didn't know a word of English when he did this for Leonid. WOW 😳! I love listening to this band and what it has become.

@barryanderson3910

4 ай бұрын

The accents were hardly even noticed when Serge or Sergey did vocals.

Not fair....that all the members of L&F are hogging all the talent! Would love to have some of that! :) Great review Jeff.

I could listen to Leonid sing blues and jazz all day. Love his voice. Vasily's craggy, gravely sound is wonderful too. I love how they allow singers to share parts! Alexandr Michurin's trombone is awesome. Where is he now?

I am trying to learn Russian... Man, for a Brazilian Portuguese native speaker, it's tough. L&F has some songs in Russian and most of the band members have solo works in Russian too.

The Russian accents that are heard occasionally make the overall effect even better.

Did not get a notification 😕

Being Dutch I have sung in a SATB choir with a Russian conductor singing mostly Russian liturgical and secular music; Great fun for a baritone with extended range. At least you get to sing lead sometimes.