once he starts playing, my foot starts tapping. Once he starts to sing, the power and depth in his voice makes my eyebrows raise.....how does he sing like that? A TRUE Talent!!!
Walked in late to a folk festival @ Cornell U back in the early 70's to hear this cat on stage way up front. I didn't have a clue who this was but was blown away by the sound I heard. I walked through the entire crowd to the front of the stage to just see who this was. He has been and always will be one of the most talented entertaineres of this style for ever. He is the Man.
Got to love Leon. What an act. Just so different and unique. And apparently he's a wealth of knowledge of that period music. To top it off, he's a riddle, wrapped in a mystery , topped in a panama hat. No one knows who he really is or where he is really from.
When I saw him in Deadwood SD, he came out and started slowly tuning his guitar. At one point he looked up and said "someone let me know when it's right". Great humor and a great musician.
I was so lucky and in the right place to have seen Leon in 1978 in Toronto at the old Forum at the CNE grounds....He absolutely was amazing.....and I have never forgotten that concert..... thankyou Mr Redbone.....You are and have been without peers.
Ontario Place Forum specifically. I was there as well but for me it was planned. Still lucky us though I thought it was closer to '80. I just looked it up and someone else (only one) says '82 though I don't think so.
Saw him twice. Unfortunately, the last time - he couldn’t get his guitar in tune. The audience thought it was part of his stick. It was taking forever and he was very disoriented. Someone finally took him off of the stage. After a good while, someone came on stage and said that Leon wanted to finish the concert. He did with difficulty. I’m not sure if he performed after that. Sad. One of the best guitarist that ever lived.
rip Leon...RIP....i hope you're up in rhe cosmos looking down upon us...and...PLAYING! ps...paul Geremia is awful proud of you.. love you more than you know.
No offence taken! Yes - I was staying at the same hotel as Leon - sat next to him at breakfast. I'll just add: A huge thankyou to you for booking him - seeing him in Europe at all is as rare as hen's teeth! I'm very grateful to you for giving me the opportunity to have seen him and talked to him! :-) Will
I was feeling kinda down tonight until I heard this .... then my feet started to connect with this lovely happy sound .... he's better than going to the doctor's , thanks Dr Redbone
Thanks for posting this. I was at this concert (in Waterford, Ireland) last November - and I was the guy who called out "The Original Dixieland Jazz Band!" on response to the question, "Who's heard of Nick La Rocca?" It was a great evening! But don't let Leon fool you - Nick La Rocca did NOT invent jazz - he made the first jazz recording (Tiger Rag) in 1917 - the originaters of jazz were black people like Buddy Bolden, Bunk Johnson, Jelly Roll Morton, etc. Will Fly
Brilliant and fascinating artist. At this point he was perhaps tiring of the persona he had created, and just wanted to discuss and play the obscure music he devoted his life and career to sharing in a more direct way, without theatrics.
I thought Leon was fantastic - and I enjoyed absolutely every minute of a concert from who has been an idol of mine for many, many years. I flew specially from Sussex just to see this concert. I'm not gnat-picking, or even nitpicking, I can assure you - just making a factual aside on Leon's comment on La Rocca.
re owed money its a shame that tuba player from the 79 gig wasnt in the audience,that aside another extrodinary performance from one of the last greats.leon please tour the uk
I agree - if there was one institution in 1910's onwards where white and black people worked and lived and respected each other better than any other, it was jazz. The Original Dixieland Jass Band was actually racially mixed before they recorded. I don't think it's simply "black" or "white" music, it's a synthesis of the two.
Saw him in Plymouth NH a few years back. Was all excited to finally see him LIVE. Unfortunately, Leon was plastered and unfit to perform. Oh, he was out there all right - but it would've all fallen apart if not for his piano player, Paul. Case in point, before one tune Leon snickered and turned to Paul to ask in which key the song was played. Very lackluster, and most disappointing performance - if one could call it that. Very Sad, but I wouldn't pay a dime to see him again. Too risky.
He wasn't on that night, AH - when full refunds would've been more than justified. Leon wasn't funny-drunk, like in this clip. He simply was not there. It didn't escape my notice that he stopped touring shortly thereafter due to "medical reasons". nuf ced.
My ability to express myself and understand others is fine, thank you. Maybe you should take some of your own advice, as I noticed quite a few grammatical errors in your post, and the vagueness of your claims are really holding your arguments back.
Race is a factor obviously, but not as much as the other commenter is saying it is. You and him must live in some distorted realm of polar opposites where the only musical interaction of blacks and whites is of whites exploiting blacks. My attempt this whole time is to show that the interaction is much more complex than that, and more ego-driven than anything.
I'm not pursuing this discussion any further. I've had an open mind throughout and conceded some of my claims, but I haven't hesitated to point out any flaws in your logic. You on the other hand have consistently set up false arguments, put words in my mouth, and insulted me. You're a sleazy, oversimplistic debater and I'm disappointed in myself for attempting to discuss things with you for this long. The world is not set in absolutes, friend. One day you might understand that. God bless.
I feel your frustration my friend. I read your exchange and understand completely the point you're trying to make. We're all equally human, but also born into sin. Our country is in the situation it is now largely because of misinformation and oversimplified rhetoric. Racism, victimhood, individuality, theft, dignity, bigotry, prejudice, homophobia, objectivity and even male and female have all either been forgotten or lost their meaning.
I never defended LaRocca, stop viewing things in absolutes. Morton was infamous for claiming to be the "inventor" of jazz. Handy called himself the "father" of the blues. There is a great deal of evidence to both of those facts. I'd recommend you to read up on your history, but I know you won't.
I wasn't replying to that, I agree that Redbone's comments are innaccurate. What my problem is that you seem to act as if whites were "stealing" from blacks and that blacks were prevented from recording music. Jazz lore has long told the story of how trumpet great Freddie Keppard (a black musician) declined to make the first jazz recording in 1915. Stop making this more about race than necessary.
Have fun with your straw man, dude. You're perfect and I'm the epitome of evil. I don't think you've read a single thing I've written, it's like you skim everything and assume that I have the polar opposite opinion of you.
Just because I disagree with you on a few things doesn't mean I think LaRocca's claims are true. That's a serious logical flaw that only you came up with. I might have unintentionally implied that, but I agree with you that LaRocca is a liar. That was never my argument with you. My problem is that you ARE playing the race card. LaRocca wasn't the only blowhard who called himself the inventor of jazz. What about Jelly Roll Morton? Or, for a slightly different example, what about W.C. Handy?
Nice attempt to distance yourself from your previous claims ("the exploitive nature of decent white people" was a great one), but it's not working on me. The fact that you throw away these inflammatory remarks like it's nothing makes me respect you even less. As for Handy, I was noting that he frequently claimed to be the father of the blues, a dishonest statement he made for the sake of his own publicity, much like LaRocca did with jazz. He may not be racist, but he's equally dishonest.
10-17-24, why am I just now discovering Leon Redbone! ❤
My brother first brought his music to my tender ears.Still enjoying till this day...😮
What a giant! One of the finest solo guitarist ever…….just brilliant!
I taught my son this music he is38 and now his children know it.
once he starts playing, my foot starts tapping. Once he starts to sing, the power and depth in his voice makes my eyebrows raise.....how does he sing like that? A TRUE Talent!!!
R.i’p the one and only Leon redbone
Walked in late to a folk festival @ Cornell U back in the early 70's to hear this cat on stage way up front. I didn't have a clue who this was but was blown away by the sound I heard. I walked through the entire crowd to the front of the stage to just see who this was. He has been and always will be one of the most talented entertaineres of this style for ever. He is the Man.
I swear he is the cooooolessssst HUMAN BEING ever lived :D
What a Wonderful and Unique entertainer! May God receive him with Open Arms.
Yes
Unique for his time! Love his old style!
Got to love Leon. What an act. Just so different and unique. And apparently he's a wealth of knowledge of that period music. To top it off, he's a riddle, wrapped in a mystery , topped in a panama hat. No one knows who he really is or where he is really from.
I can only hope to bring this pure soul and joy to any audience
RIP. Thanks for everything.
A genius and a gentleman, so rare now. Now this is Alternative Music!
RIP beloved Leon...you're playing with the Celestials
Thank you, Leon stopped by Rockford, Ill. Charlottes Web from time to time and was always marvelous. Miss him.
I'm reminded somewhat of Groucho in his pre-song monologues.
I saw Leon in concert about 20 years ago. It was one of the best shows I've ever seen. Great musician, world class story teller and entertainer.
Leon Redbone.. Simply one of the finest entertainers around..
When I saw him in Deadwood SD, he came out and started slowly tuning his guitar. At one point he looked up and said "someone let me know when it's right". Great humor and a great musician.
I was so lucky and in the right place to have seen Leon in 1978 in Toronto at the old Forum at the CNE grounds....He absolutely was amazing.....and I have never forgotten that concert.....
thankyou Mr Redbone.....You are and have been without peers.
Ontario Place Forum specifically. I was there as well but for me it was planned. Still lucky us though I thought it was closer to '80. I just looked it up and someone else (only one) says '82 though I don't think so.
Saw him twice. Unfortunately, the last time - he couldn’t get his guitar in tune. The audience thought it was part of his stick. It was taking forever and he was very disoriented. Someone finally took him off of the stage. After a good while, someone came on stage and said that Leon wanted to finish the concert. He did with difficulty. I’m not sure if he performed after that. Sad. One of the best guitarist that ever lived.
His passing was attributed to dementia so it makes sense even if what you've described wasn't pleasant for anybody.
my son turned me on to him.even at almost 80 you can always learn something new.
Thank you for posting this awesome video! Enjoyed it immensely. 10 thumbs up!
rip Leon...RIP....i hope you're up in rhe cosmos looking down upon us...and...PLAYING! ps...paul Geremia is awful proud of you.. love you more than you know.
Fantastic! Thanks for posting this.
No offence taken! Yes - I was staying at the same hotel as Leon - sat next to him at breakfast. I'll just add: A huge thankyou to you for booking him - seeing him in Europe at all is as rare as hen's teeth! I'm very grateful to you for giving me the opportunity to have seen him and talked to him! :-) Will
Great write up! Rest in Peace Mr. Redbone
I've seen Leon in concert several times, he's awesome and so funny! x
When I hear the term "cool cat" Leon Redbone is the first to come to mind!
what a talent......!!!
Thanks SO much for posting this great video!
heck of a performer an fine gent.
I was feeling kinda down tonight until I heard this .... then my feet started to connect with this lovely happy sound .... he's better than going to the doctor's , thanks Dr Redbone
that's gold
pure magic folks - he played our festival in Hell in 2008 and he will be back 2011
He's like Ray Charles, Louis Armstrong and Leo Kottke all rolled into one.
One of my favorites,along with Lonnie Mack....
4:45 "Telling the truth, but no one is paying attention."
just an incredible performer...(I've been at it for 2 decades.)
man, i envy people who are this great on stage.
thank you Marion..and of coarse Mr Redbone
Thanks for posting this. I was at this concert (in Waterford, Ireland) last November - and I was the guy who called out "The Original Dixieland Jazz Band!" on response to the question, "Who's heard of Nick La Rocca?" It was a great evening! But don't let Leon fool you - Nick La Rocca did NOT invent jazz - he made the first jazz recording (Tiger Rag) in 1917 - the originaters of jazz were black people like Buddy Bolden, Bunk Johnson, Jelly Roll Morton, etc.
Will Fly
Brilliant and fascinating artist. At this point he was perhaps tiring of the persona he had created, and just wanted to discuss and play the obscure music he devoted his life and career to sharing in a more direct way, without theatrics.
Is he the guy from the 70s? Come n get your love?
Get Mr. Redbone a jelly roll!
I thought Leon was fantastic - and I enjoyed absolutely every minute of a concert from who has been an idol of mine for many, many years. I flew specially from Sussex just to see this concert. I'm not gnat-picking, or even nitpicking, I can assure you - just making a factual aside on Leon's comment on La Rocca.
Super cool
remembering leon opening up for john prine at the carter barron in dc my o my see ya all in heaven
Can you get any cooler than Leon Redbone?
awesome
re owed money its a shame that tuba player from the 79 gig wasnt in the audience,that aside another extrodinary performance from one of the last greats.leon please tour the uk
YOU WILL NEVER FIND THIS TODAY.
somebody give Leon his jelly roll.
Oh I miss my Jelly Roll
Nice job going for the easiest insults possible. You've got a really mature grasp on how to have a discussion.
Year, Year , Year, Please"
this man is so misunderstood!
This man is THE troll god of music.
Oh Watta card...
I agree - if there was one institution in 1910's onwards where white and black people worked and lived and respected each other better than any other, it was jazz.
The Original Dixieland Jass Band was actually racially mixed before they recorded.
I don't think it's simply "black" or "white" music, it's a synthesis of the two.
and to drink...
Saw him in Plymouth NH a few years back. Was all excited to finally see him LIVE. Unfortunately, Leon was plastered and unfit to perform. Oh, he was out there all right - but it would've all fallen apart if not for his piano player, Paul. Case in point, before one tune Leon snickered and turned to Paul to ask in which key the song was played. Very lackluster, and most disappointing performance - if one could call it that. Very Sad, but I wouldn't pay a dime to see him again. Too risky.
He's better drunk than any of us sober.
He wasn't on that night, AH - when full refunds would've been more than justified. Leon wasn't funny-drunk, like in this clip. He simply was not there. It didn't escape my notice that he stopped touring shortly thereafter due to "medical reasons". nuf ced.
@@acousticshadow4032 Unfortunately it wasn't a drinking problem. He was submitted to a Home a couple of years ago. Dementia. Damn shame....
My ability to express myself and understand others is fine, thank you.
Maybe you should take some of your own advice, as I noticed quite a few grammatical errors in your post, and the vagueness of your claims are really holding your arguments back.
Race is a factor obviously, but not as much as the other commenter is saying it is. You and him must live in some distorted realm of polar opposites where the only musical interaction of blacks and whites is of whites exploiting blacks. My attempt this whole time is to show that the interaction is much more complex than that, and more ego-driven than anything.
I'm not pursuing this discussion any further. I've had an open mind throughout and conceded some of my claims, but I haven't hesitated to point out any flaws in your logic. You on the other hand have consistently set up false arguments, put words in my mouth, and insulted me. You're a sleazy, oversimplistic debater and I'm disappointed in myself for attempting to discuss things with you for this long.
The world is not set in absolutes, friend. One day you might understand that. God bless.
I feel your frustration my friend. I read your exchange and understand completely the point you're trying to make. We're all equally human, but also born into sin. Our country is in the situation it is now largely because of misinformation and oversimplified rhetoric. Racism, victimhood, individuality, theft, dignity, bigotry, prejudice, homophobia, objectivity and even male and female have all either been forgotten or lost their meaning.
@pluginwar good call dude. :D
I like him as an artist... but N. LaRocha was NOT THE Original creator of Jazz...GTFOH
I never defended LaRocca, stop viewing things in absolutes.
Morton was infamous for claiming to be the "inventor" of jazz. Handy called himself the "father" of the blues. There is a great deal of evidence to both of those facts. I'd recommend you to read up on your history, but I know you won't.
I wasn't replying to that, I agree that Redbone's comments are innaccurate.
What my problem is that you seem to act as if whites were "stealing" from blacks and that blacks were prevented from recording music. Jazz lore has long told the story of how trumpet great Freddie Keppard (a black musician) declined to make the first jazz recording in 1915. Stop making this more about race than necessary.
Have fun with your straw man, dude. You're perfect and I'm the epitome of evil.
I don't think you've read a single thing I've written, it's like you skim everything and assume that I have the polar opposite opinion of you.
Just because I disagree with you on a few things doesn't mean I think LaRocca's claims are true. That's a serious logical flaw that only you came up with. I might have unintentionally implied that, but I agree with you that LaRocca is a liar. That was never my argument with you.
My problem is that you ARE playing the race card. LaRocca wasn't the only blowhard who called himself the inventor of jazz. What about Jelly Roll Morton? Or, for a slightly different example, what about W.C. Handy?
Well he does have a tendency to mumble...
Nice attempt to distance yourself from your previous claims ("the exploitive nature of decent white people" was a great one), but it's not working on me. The fact that you throw away these inflammatory remarks like it's nothing makes me respect you even less.
As for Handy, I was noting that he frequently claimed to be the father of the blues, a dishonest statement he made for the sake of his own publicity, much like LaRocca did with jazz. He may not be racist, but he's equally dishonest.
CHARLES MANSON DIED FOR YOUR SINS!