You get it, you get it! You react exactly as I do to this band! They are just stellar-good, all of them. Dynamic, electrifying performances, every measure flawless. Bless them!
We saw them once last summer, will be seeing them again in June. Igor is a beast on those drums. The addition of Mikhael Puntov to take over for Serge was brilliant.
They are currently on tour here in the US, however, the lead singer here is not in attendance since he is currently defending his homeland of Ukraine. I have been following the band here on YT for several years as well as on FB. Prayers that the whole group may be united again, soon.
Have been listening to Chicago all my life I'm 62 and this band makes me smile and rejuvenates energy watch them on utube almost everyday hope they come to hawaii i would not miss it. Thamk you .
Well, Daniel Volk brings us a version that even Chicago themselves appreciate. Pristine copy. Leonid & Friends were in Knoxville last month. Wish I had gone to their show. 👍👍👍👍
I have been following them for several years now. The interesting thing is that I was never a big fan of some of Chicago’s “lighter” sound, I liked the early Kath stuff. But listening/watching Leonid and Friends do cover of some of those same”lighter” songs has given me a new appreciation of the originals and players.
Leonid is the bass player in the band. He's 72 years old and transcribes all of the music from the original score. He writes each individual sheet of music for every musician in the band, produces each video, and manages the whole production process. I absolutely love your channel, and I'm so glad I came across you here on UA-cam. The horn section is as tight as any I have ever heard, and the vocalists are absolutely phenomenal. The percussion! Wow... The strings, bass, guitar! What can I say? Keep putting this incredible music out there, my friend. Their Earth, Wind, and Fire covers are absolutely amazing; they were and still are my favorite band of all time with the genius of Maurice White. Have an awesome rest of your day. 🙏 Subscribed. 🙌
Brilliant!! I expected to hear Peter Cetera start singing. The horns are so amazing, every song I've heard them do, you forget it's not Chicago you're enjoying. The vocals are top notch, the drums, guitars all spectacular. Right on Harri, great reaction. Thanks Harri and Daniel. 👏👏 Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦
The Drummer plays his complicated parts like it would be very easy. But it isn't. Genious drummer, like all the band members. Full of feelings, amazing sound. Leonid & Friends, i really hope that one day I can see you at a gig in Switzerland. You are all just : wow wow wow, my god, i love it too much.
Thanks for reacting to them!!! I love listening to them cover Chicago songs! I read on some other comment about them that "They sound more like Chicago than Chicago does!" and I agree.
I am going to see them in Milwaukee Wi at the Pabst Theater on Sept.23. I can't f**king wait!!!. Ksena Buzina is a flipping superstar! Her voice, and her looks would turn a man to stone!!
I've seen L&F in concert four times so far, and met the band at a meet-and-greet. This isn't a studio gimmick; they'll blow you away in person. Check out their covers of Earth, Wind & Fire, Brecker Brothers, Steely Dan, Blood, Sweat, and Tears, and others. For those who are wondering (be honest), Ksenia is probably the most-stunning woman I've ever met in person. A woman sitting next to me admitted that she couldn't stop staring at her either. She's not just beautiful; she's a phenomenal singer and pianist, has a degree in Economics, and speaks eight languages.
Love this group, and really appreciate your enjoyment of their music. Lead singer on this song, Serge, has stayed in Ukraine during this war, haven't heard anything about his status. Really miss his vocals.
Yes he is, outstanding. Unfortunately no longer with them, having left on his in accord it appears - almost two years ago (?) - to pursue other other personal projects. A shame as he was (effectively) also one of the frontmen with a very likeable stage presence. His replacement technically is excellent but not also a singer like Sergey, so they actually had two hire a singer to replace that function as well...with the "new" guitarist looking to be mostly a hired gunslinger,...quite good but in terms of a stage personality more in the background.
One of the things that turned me onto Chicago is the horn section & with Terry Kath Chicago was untouchable. This band shows nothing but total respect for Chicago.
I would call them an Archival Band. They are preserving the works of Chicago with as much care as art restorers. Leonid is killing it on bass! HARRI- when you go see them- be sure to get backstage and tell them you’re a fan and reactor to their music. ❤
Seen them live 6 times and done 3 live streams. Met them and become friend with some of band and crew. Great people and would give large credit to Chicago, Earth Wind and Fire, and Power of Power. They just got to do sound check with Earth, Wind and Fire and got to see the current Chicago band on tour. You need to see them live it is an experience. Maybe I can help you to setup something to get them live in England.
Agreed Harri. Yet I enjoy these guys more than Chicago because we get to see the players doing their thing. I also love the different band members, some brought in for a specific song to showcase their talents. Can't wait for them to do "Go Down Gamblin'" by Blood, Sweat and Tears. On the darker side, the "usual" lead singer, and the lead in this song, is from the Ukraine while most of the others are from Russia. I have not seen him in any of the more recent releases. If anyone out there in "Harri-land" knows any details on what's going on since Feb 24th 2022 I'd really appreciate hearing.
Really phenomenal. And what makes it more amazing is that many of the band members don't speak English! This band is so tight! They deserve all the accolades. 👍😎
His voice has a slightly different tone then Peter Cetera does but, nails it every time. I was born in 61 so I grew up listening to Chicago. I love listening to these people redo music I was raised with. I remember my father bringing home a new album from back then then & just throwing it on the turn table. He'd say come on boys I got another one let's listen to some music.
@@felixkmgalanti9064 Yeah I have kind of quit following them since he left. Now sadly Sergey the lead guitarist and backing vocalist is no longer with them. Sad. ☹️What a voice. 👍🙃
That one chick is fire/ perfection/ Gorgeous man!!😊😊, they,re the best cover band out there! They came from Russia and the Ukraine, and have captivated the American listners! Doing the music, I grew up on!
The bass guitarist is the founder of this group. Leonid. When he first started, he was a music instructor at a school (college?) He retired from teaching and wanted to recreate one of Chicago's songs for his birthday. The problem was is that Russia (where he was residing) would not allow any 'Western Cultural' items in the USSR. Whether it be clothing, music, instruments, etc. So he had to go by scratch and have instruments made, write the music using just what he could hear by ear, note by note for every instrument and then recruit musicians to perform the songs. He speaks broken english and some dont even speak that. Russian only. They are amazing. Check out; Leonid & Friends - the world`s most popular American cover band - eager to kick off its U.S. tour
In the early days when Leonid & Friends appeared on UA-cam I guess an American listener commented jokingly: The US Federal Drug Administration needs to put a warning label on these videos: Warning, extremely addictive. No known cure, antidote or treatment. I know because I can’t stop watching their fabulous work. I’m addicted. Love the band.
Für mich die beste Livband die ich je gehört habe und ich habe schon einiges genossen. Eigentlich alles was Rang und Namen hat,jedoch diese Band schlägt alle ❤❤!@
Yes, a professional band that plays Chicago's music very well. So, when are they going to stop living off the art of the greats and write some music of their own? They owe their careers to the creativity of others. If you can't tell the difference between L & F and the real deal, don't comment.
The bass player is Leonid. He reconstructs all the instruments parts by listening to the original over and over and reverse engineering each part. But it is more than just the music, they also need to reconstruct the production values by choosing the right instruments, amps, mikes, etc.
Congas are the bigger ones. They come in different sizes and people sometimes will play one, two or even three or more of them in their setup depending on the style. The bongos are the smaller ones that come in a set. On bongos one side is a little bigger than the other and you use you fingers more where on congas you use your palms and entire hand more 😊
As others may have mentioned, we have been missing Serge (lead singer, Ukraine) and Sergey (guitar), shown here--gone for a year and 18 or so months respectively. Terry Kath is so hard to "cover" and more than that technically, to get the feel, and Sergey did a great job of that without (seeming) sweating. While the new guitarist is more than proficient he is not also a singer and so they had to hire two to replace Sergey, who (presumably) left on his own accord to pursue some other projects. Too bad as he also was one of the up-front faces of the group, with a cheery, outgoing personality to match the role. The current guitarist is more a hired gunslinger, though excellent, staying (physically) in the background. Harri, although they have had that change of two key personnel from this, they're still a fabulous band and you would love them live. I've seen them 2x in (in this, their earlier incarnation) in the US. BTW, I think one of the reasons the bass player is grinning so is he is the creator/owner-proprietor, Leonid--he knows they done good! Seek out a video, I think of his creation, that covers the gestation of the band from the beginning. Fascinating. I believe he had to hand-write the charts for all of these "by ear" as he did not have access to originals.
One of the great tragedies of Putin's stupid war is it cut Serge off from the rest of the group. No one else covers Peter Cetera like Serge. The bass player is Leonid, that is why he is smiling, it's the realization of another dream.
You can't tell the difference....extraordinary!
They are probably the best "Cover Band" on the planet!!!
Totally agree 1000%. I usually don't like cover bands, but this one is like no other ever!!!
"FACTS!!!"@@barbaralynch3015
perfection what a band .
Leonid and Friends is always a joy. will go to my second show this summer here in NYC. come and join in.
You get it, you get it! You react exactly as I do to this band! They are just stellar-good, all of them. Dynamic, electrifying performances, every measure flawless. Bless them!
We’ve seen them twice. They’re terrific! The bass player is Leonid. The drummer is boss! They are ALL so good and Ksenia OMG
We saw them once last summer, will be seeing them again in June. Igor is a beast on those drums. The addition of Mikhael Puntov to take over for Serge was brilliant.
They are currently on tour here in the US, however, the lead singer here is not in attendance since he is currently defending his homeland of Ukraine. I have been following the band here on YT for several years as well as on FB. Prayers that the whole group may be united again, soon.
@@rebeccalipps23 their first concert in the US isn’t until April 16th. They have a few weeks before they come back here.
That's Goddess Ksenia to you! LOL
When you get approval from the actual Chicago band, you've achieved success. Leonid and Friends are phenomenal !
Have been listening to Chicago all my life I'm 62 and this band makes me smile and rejuvenates energy watch them on utube almost everyday hope they come to hawaii i would not miss it. Thamk you .
Harry, these guys are EXCELLENT!
Every song I’ve heard them do is fantastic! They are all amazing musicians … I especially like Igor…
I’m a fan of this cover band !!!, thanks HARRI
Once again a perfect rendition of a great Chicago song!
Early days - followed them ever since. Vocalist Serge recorded from Ukraine.
Fantastic cover!
Listening to this cover and others they have done just make you feel good.
Fantastic song...so many...saw them in 2003.
These guys are killing it. But also take a moment for the brilliance of the arrangements Chicago created.
Well, Daniel Volk brings us a version that even Chicago themselves appreciate. Pristine copy. Leonid & Friends were in Knoxville last month. Wish I had gone to their show. 👍👍👍👍
One of the better cover bands.
The best I've heard
Not one of the better cover bands - the best by far!
Thanks for the reaction! One of the best cover/tribute bands. They have a considerable fan base here in States.🤘
A w ooh just Wow!❤❤❤❤
That drummer...boy oh boy...simply phenomenal.
Seen a lot of their videos. They are absolutely incredible.
They do a great job with every song they cover
They are the best!! I love them!!!❤❤❤🎼🎤🎧
Awesome job on this one for sure. It's as much fun watching your reaction as it is listening to the song. Both great.
it's amazing that I grew up listening to music like this when it was new - and now that I'm older I realize I was literally raised in music paradise
Without a doubt one of the finest cover bands in the world today ... excellent ...
Love this band, they’re covers of Chicago and EW&F are the best
John the Geek....Greek...good adjectives! Hey who are these guys? That guy he as an amazing voice. Does if he have his own hits?
Tighter than two coats of paint. Absolutely love L&F!
This is one of the songs I watch every day. I love it so much. 🙃👍, Thanks Harri for your great reaction, 🤴🇬🇧🇺🇸🇨🇦
I'm happy you decided to do a reaction video on this cover. They are an amazing band for sure!
I have been following them for several years now. The interesting thing is that I was never a big fan of some of Chicago’s “lighter” sound, I liked the early Kath stuff. But listening/watching Leonid and Friends do cover of some of those same”lighter” songs has given me a new appreciation of the originals and players.
I love Chicago but I think I actually like this cover better. I like the ending more.
Leonid & Friends is about as perfect as you can get for Chicago & Earth Wind & Fire tribute renditions….note perfect!
Leonid is the bass player in the band. He's 72 years old and transcribes all of the music from the original score. He writes each individual sheet of music for every musician in the band, produces each video, and manages the whole production process.
I absolutely love your channel, and I'm so glad I came across you here on UA-cam.
The horn section is as tight as any I have ever heard, and the vocalists are absolutely phenomenal.
The percussion! Wow...
The strings, bass, guitar! What can I say?
Keep putting this incredible music out there, my friend.
Their Earth, Wind, and Fire covers are absolutely amazing; they were and still are my favorite band of all time with the genius of Maurice White.
Have an awesome rest of your day. 🙏
Subscribed. 🙌
Perfect
These guys are really good. Thanks Daniel. 🌺✌️
Thanks Debbie, I like them a lot. Not as much as Harri. 😉🇺🇸🇨🇦🇬🇧🤴🙃
Brilliant!! I expected to hear Peter Cetera start singing. The horns are so amazing, every song I've heard them do, you forget it's not Chicago you're enjoying. The vocals are top notch, the drums, guitars all spectacular. Right on Harri, great reaction. Thanks Harri and Daniel. 👏👏 Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦
Thanks Mary for the kind comments. I agree with you about L@F. 🇨🇦🇺🇸🤴🇬🇧🙃👍
The Drummer plays his complicated parts like it would be very easy. But it isn't. Genious drummer, like all the band members. Full of feelings, amazing sound. Leonid & Friends, i really hope that one day I can see you at a gig in Switzerland.
You are all just : wow wow wow, my god, i love it too much.
Thanks for reacting to them!!! I love listening to them cover Chicago songs! I read on some other comment about them that "They sound more like Chicago than Chicago does!" and I agree.
Please...
This is the greatest cover that I have ever seen on UA-cam - possibly better than the original, which is phenomenal. Love Leonid and Friends!
I am going to see them in Milwaukee Wi at the Pabst Theater on Sept.23. I can't f**king wait!!!. Ksena Buzina is a flipping superstar! Her voice, and her looks would turn a man to stone!!
YOU... are the Best, Harri!! Great reaction to a terrific band covering an ICONIC band !!!
Daniel - Whoa, what a talented Chicago cover band! I really liked this one. Sterling review, Harri.
Thanks DaveBZen. I think Harri liked it more than us. 😉
I've seen L&F in concert four times so far, and met the band at a meet-and-greet. This isn't a studio gimmick; they'll blow you away in person. Check out their covers of Earth, Wind & Fire, Brecker Brothers, Steely Dan, Blood, Sweat, and Tears, and others.
For those who are wondering (be honest), Ksenia is probably the most-stunning woman I've ever met in person. A woman sitting next to me admitted that she couldn't stop staring at her either. She's not just beautiful; she's a phenomenal singer and pianist, has a degree in Economics, and speaks eight languages.
I Love that little guy's Lead Vocals! Smooth, and Spot on!!! Brass is Always in the Pocket!!
Love this group, and really appreciate your enjoyment of their music. Lead singer on this song, Serge, has stayed in Ukraine during this war, haven't heard anything about his status. Really miss his vocals.
Love your reaction Harri, such anawesome performance
Last I heard the lead singer was out defending his country Ukraine. Bless them all we are praying for peace.
Yes! The great SERGE! Miss him big time.
Sergey Kashirin is a mind blowing lead guitarist 👍
Yes he is, outstanding. Unfortunately no longer with them, having left on his in accord it appears - almost two years ago (?) - to pursue other other personal projects. A shame as he was (effectively) also one of the frontmen with a very likeable stage presence. His replacement technically is excellent but not also a singer like Sergey, so they actually had two hire a singer to replace that function as well...with the "new" guitarist looking to be mostly a hired gunslinger,...quite good but in terms of a stage personality more in the background.
L&F is awesome...Everything they do is great...wish we could hear more of Ksenia tho..she is beyond words...beauty and brains of the group!!
One of the things that turned me onto Chicago is the horn section & with Terry Kath Chicago was untouchable. This band shows nothing but total respect for Chicago.
someone said below Leonid and Friends are an Archival Band... Yes indeed...
I would call them an Archival Band. They are preserving the works of Chicago with as much care as art restorers. Leonid is killing it on bass!
HARRI- when you go see them- be sure to get backstage and tell them you’re a fan and reactor to their music. ❤
Archival is a great way to assign what they are doing for music.
This up against the original version by Chicago on the Chicago VII album sound nearly identical. Amazing! Great horns!
You should hear them do Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is. Absolutely perfect!
Seen them live 6 times and done 3 live streams. Met them and become friend with some of band and crew. Great people and would give large credit to Chicago, Earth Wind and Fire, and Power of Power. They just got to do sound check with Earth, Wind and Fire and got to see the current Chicago band on tour. You need to see them live it is an experience. Maybe I can help you to setup something to get them live in England.
the best!
Agreed Harri. Yet I enjoy these guys more than Chicago because we get to see the players doing their thing. I also love the different band members, some brought in for a specific song to showcase their talents. Can't wait for them to do "Go Down Gamblin'" by Blood, Sweat and Tears.
On the darker side, the "usual" lead singer, and the lead in this song, is from the Ukraine while most of the others are from Russia. I have not seen him in any of the more recent releases. If anyone out there in "Harri-land" knows any details on what's going on since Feb 24th 2022 I'd really appreciate hearing.
The Bass player is the leader. He's a Russian Highschool music teacher.
THEY COVER SOME OTHER GROUPS INCLUDING EARTH WIND AND FIRE...
DAMN GOOD WITH ALL THEIR COVERS.
Really phenomenal. And what makes it more amazing is that many of the band members don't speak English! This band is so tight! They deserve all the accolades. 👍😎
I’ve see them twice and they are very good. Nice people too! We got to meet them and take pictures.
Fantastic
His voice has a slightly different tone then Peter Cetera does but, nails it every time. I was born in 61 so I grew up listening to Chicago. I love listening to these people redo music I was raised with. I remember my father bringing home a new album from back then then & just throwing it on the turn table. He'd say come on boys I got another one let's listen to some music.
TOWER OF POWER COVER....
'SO VERY HARD TO GO'
GREAT!!!!!
Sadly, Serge the lead singer is no longer touring as he is stuck in Kiev. ☹️
He is Missed BIG Time! He was their best Lead to this day.
@@felixkmgalanti9064 Yeah I have kind of quit following them since he left. Now sadly Sergey the lead guitarist and backing vocalist is no longer with them. Sad. ☹️What a voice. 👍🙃
@@DanielVolk-jm4nt Myself also.
That one chick is fire/ perfection/ Gorgeous man!!😊😊, they,re the best cover band out there! They came from Russia and the Ukraine, and have captivated the American listners! Doing the music, I grew up on!
Awesome, thumbs up!
I found them a couple of months ago. they're better than the originals. skill wise, and definitely recording quality
The bass guitarist is the founder of this group. Leonid. When he first started, he was a music instructor at a school (college?) He retired from teaching and wanted to recreate one of Chicago's songs for his birthday. The problem was is that Russia (where he was residing) would not allow any 'Western Cultural' items in the USSR. Whether it be clothing, music, instruments, etc. So he had to go by scratch and have instruments made, write the music using just what he could hear by ear, note by note for every instrument and then recruit musicians to perform the songs. He speaks broken english and some dont even speak that. Russian only. They are amazing. Check out; Leonid & Friends - the world`s most popular American cover band - eager to kick off its U.S. tour
Saw them 2 days ago. Phenomenal!
Great reaction for a great cover band. Now listen to them do Steely Dan with "My Old School."
In the early days when Leonid & Friends appeared on UA-cam I guess an American listener commented jokingly:
The US Federal Drug Administration needs to put a warning label on these videos:
Warning, extremely addictive. No known cure, antidote or treatment. I know because I can’t stop watching their fabulous work. I’m addicted. Love the band.
Für mich die beste Livband die ich je gehört habe und ich habe schon einiges genossen.
Eigentlich alles was Rang und Namen hat,jedoch diese Band schlägt alle ❤❤!@
I haven't listened to an original version in 4 years
Didn't realize this was a cover! This guy is fantastic....hope he has a career!!
WOW, my 74 year old ears have been blessed.
The singer's voice is kind of in between Peter Cetera's and Jason Scheff's, which is perfect for these songs.
This the next best thing!!
Everyone sounds crisp AF
This is a great cover of one of my favourite bands. Thanks Daniel.
I have seen them twice. How did I know you would like them? Clairvoyant? Maybe, 🤪. Thanks Cyn. 🇨🇦🇺🇸🤴🇬🇧🙃👍
Just as good as I remember the original being.
They are insane 😍
Yes, a professional band that plays Chicago's music very well. So, when are they going to stop living off the art of the greats and write some music of their own? They owe their careers to the creativity of others. If you can't tell the difference between L & F and the real deal, don't comment.
This almost sounds better than the original!! I want to know these people!
The bass player is Leonid. He reconstructs all the instruments parts by listening to the original over and over and reverse engineering each part. But it is more than just the music, they also need to reconstruct the production values by choosing the right instruments, amps, mikes, etc.
They had a guest percussionist (Rei Frometa) to help out on the big bongos (I don’t know what they’re called 😅)
Congas are the bigger ones. They come in different sizes and people sometimes will play one, two or even three or more of them in their setup depending on the style. The bongos are the smaller ones that come in a set. On bongos one side is a little bigger than the other and you use you fingers more where on congas you use your palms and entire hand more 😊
Igor..master on the drums!
A cover band should not sound this damn good, really. I think Harri agrees. 👍🙃🤴🇬🇧🇨🇦🇺🇸
ABSOLUTE KILLERS!!!!
Russians do a great job on all Chicago song and also Earth, Wind, and Fire..
Pro recording acts struggle to get this tight. They are so oilished and talented.
That’s Leonid on bass! ❤
As others may have mentioned, we have been missing Serge (lead singer, Ukraine) and Sergey (guitar), shown here--gone for a year and 18 or so months respectively. Terry Kath is so hard to "cover" and more than that technically, to get the feel, and Sergey did a great job of that without (seeming) sweating. While the new guitarist is more than proficient he is not also a singer and so they had to hire two to replace Sergey, who (presumably) left on his own accord to pursue some other projects. Too bad as he also was one of the up-front faces of the group, with a cheery, outgoing personality to match the role. The current guitarist is more a hired gunslinger, though excellent, staying (physically) in the background.
Harri, although they have had that change of two key personnel from this, they're still a fabulous band and you would love them live. I've seen them 2x in (in this, their earlier incarnation) in the US.
BTW, I think one of the reasons the bass player is grinning so is he is the creator/owner-proprietor, Leonid--he knows they done good! Seek out a video, I think of his creation, that covers the gestation of the band from the beginning. Fascinating. I believe he had to hand-write the charts for all of these "by ear" as he did not have access to originals.
People for get that those amazing bass lines were Peter Cetera. He is associated with his vocals, but his bass lines were legendary.
Check out Beginnings and Introduction, also their covers of EW&F. Speck of dust is a original co- composed by Leonid. Scott
One of the great tragedies of Putin's stupid war is it cut Serge off from the rest of the group. No one else covers Peter Cetera like Serge. The bass player is Leonid, that is why he is smiling, it's the realization of another dream.
They're not just Russian also Ukrainian...breaks my heart that some have stayed behind in Kiev.