Who did it better??

Tobylou8

SSmith1226

@Tobylou8
This seems like some type of Russian Collusion!
If you are not careful, this could possibly lead to Trumpet Board impeachment!!!
Seriously, all participants are great musicians and they are both great bands. Leonid and Friends would be great even if Arturo Sandoval wasn’t the Guest Trumpet Soloist. I think I understood the lyrics best on Leonid’s version. Sort of ironic, isn’t it?
Musically, both are excellent, and I can’t say one was better than the other. If I had to vote, I would vote for Chicago on the basis of originality.
Here is a link to an interesting article about Leonid and Friends including reactions from original Chicago Band Members.

http://www.dailynews.com/how-a-group-of-guys-from-moscow-became-an-internationally-renowned-chicago-tribute-band

ROWUK

Very, very polished. Technically and musically more than what I was used to hearing from the original band. BUT and this is a VERY big but: the original band created the venue, charts, market. Let us see how much original new material will be composed...

I don't think that Lee Loughnane could have played these trumpet parts. I have a slight preference for Peter Ceteras voice and Terry Kaths guitar.

I was not aware of this band - thanks for the link!

Dr GO

Horn arrangements are just such a perfect rendition of that Chicago Sound. The percussion section also has the Chicago vibe. The keyboard and guitar however just does not duplicate the same energy as the original group.

Arturo on the solo was a real treat. The horn he is using is the Harrelson he brought to the Master Class I attended a few years ago.

Kehaulani

Well, the original for originality but apples and oranges. I love Leonid.

J. Jericho

Chicago - Crisp, fresh, edgy, exciting.
Leonid & Friends - Packaged, mellow, predictable.

Chicago gets my vote. Leonid & Friends - close, but no cigar, as the saying goes. Wait... doesn't Arturo...? Never mind; Chicago gets my vote.

Kehaulani

Yeah, but Chicago doesn't have the brunette.

BTW, mellow? Diane Kral is mellow. Mel Torme is mellow. Mellow, Leonid is not. And as far as predictable, how can you not be predictable if you're covering the original. That's your gig.

Dr GO

@Kehaulani said in Who did it better??:

Yeah, but Chicago doesn't have the brunette.

BTW, mellow? Diane Krall is mellow.

I'll take Diane Krall over the brunette any day (or night).

Vulgano Brother

There will always be those that do it better. Only one can be the first.

Kehaulani

@Vulgano-Brother said in Who did it better??:

There will always be those that do it better. Only one can be the first.

Reminds me of the quote from Zack and Miri Make a Porno, "There can only be one".

tjcombo

@Vulgano-Brother - nailed it VB. I don’t hear discussions comparing the Beatles, Stones, Doors, ABBA et al with the myriad cover bands out there.

Is there a behavioural trait that is peculiar to trumpet players?

Maybe we should coin a new collective noun...

A “comparison” of trumpet players ???

ROWUK

@Dr-GO said in Who did it better??:

@Kehaulani said in Who did it better??:

Yeah, but Chicago doesn't have the brunette.

BTW, mellow? Diane Kral is mellow.

I'll take Diane Kral over the brunette any day (or night).

No doubt in my mind that Ksenia is the real thing. I checked out her solo videos too. I really enjoyed every video with her. She, like everyone else in the band just seems to have such a great time. I think that I would have a nicer time with her than Ms. Krall.

For me, Diana Krall is associated with demo music at audio shows. Nice safe productions that sell to the easy listening crowd too.

Bob Pixley

@Vulgano-Brother said in Who did it better??:

There will always be those that do it better. Only one can be the first.

Sort of like comparing Ian Gillan's performance in Jesus Christ Superstar to all those who came after. Except in this case, I don't believe anyone has done it better than Mr. Gillan.

Dr GO

@ROWUK said in Who did it better??:

@Dr-GO said in Who did it better??:

@Kehaulani said in Who did it better??:

Yeah, but Chicago doesn't have the brunette.

BTW, mellow? Diane Kral is mellow.

I'll take Diane Krall over the brunette any day (or night).

No doubt in my mind that Ksenia is the real thing.... I think that I would have a nicer time with her than Ms. Krall.

I respect this. I just think Diana Krall would bring out more of the musician in me. She leads with her amazing piano talent, well above that Ksenia, and her vocals to me put more emotion into the delivery. Not that Ksenia doesn't have an amazing set of vocal chops, she does. But Ms. Krall's words and phrasings go way beyond simple lyrics. Check out the first two cuts as evidence supporting my entry: