chris olivarez Posted March 26, 2004 Report Posted March 26, 2004 I saw Leon Redbone in concert in Durango,Colorado this last week and let me tell you it was different than any other show I've seen just about anywhere. If there is anybody who is a musical time traveler out there it's Leon. Hell for all I know Leon actually SAW Buddy Bolden play. At the show it was Leon accompanied by a trumpet player who also played cornet and trombone as well as a piano player. Since it appeared that Leon doesn't do set list the two sidemen had to be ready for anything and everything a challenge they repeatedly rose to. Both were fine musicians and at one point the trumpet player played the trumpet and coronet simultaneously-that's the first time I've ever seen that happen! As for Leon he was well-Leon. He has a rather dry sense of humor and while he was figuring out what he was going to do next he was cracking a joke or telling a story. Leon performed for two hours and the audience was definitely entertained I know I was. I got to meet Leon after the show and found him to be a good guy. If you're looking for a different and totally entertaining show this is it. Quote
Christiern Posted March 26, 2004 Report Posted March 26, 2004 When I first met Leon, for a drink and interview--at the Algonquin bar, about 30 years ago--he handed me his card, which I stuck in my pocket. When I got home, I saw that it was blank. Yes, Leon Redbone is not your run-of-the-mill guy. Very witty and quite knowledgeable, I recall that he was a big admirer of Jelly Roll Morton and that he knew his Jelly well, beyond his music. Quote
7/4 Posted March 26, 2004 Report Posted March 26, 2004 At the show it was Leon accompanied by a trumpet player who also played cornet and trombone as well as a piano player. Since it appeared that Leon doesn't do set list the two sidemen had to be ready for anything and everything a challenge they repeatedly rose to. Both were fine musicians and at one point the trumpet player played the trumpet and coronet simultaneously-that's the first time I've ever seen that happen! When I was a kid, there was a music teacher at camp who did that. Pretty cool. Quote
l p Posted March 26, 2004 Report Posted March 26, 2004 leon sounds exactly like jelly roll morton's library of congress recordings. Quote
ghost of miles Posted October 12, 2005 Report Posted October 12, 2005 He just walked into our radio station and is going to be on the air in a few minutes... WFIU Quote
ghost of miles Posted October 12, 2005 Report Posted October 12, 2005 When I first met Leon, for a drink and interview--at the Algonquin bar, about 30 years ago--he handed me his card, which I stuck in my pocket. When I got home, I saw that it was blank. Yes, Leon Redbone is not your run-of-the-mill guy. Very witty and quite knowledgeable, I recall that he was a big admirer of Jelly Roll Morton and that he knew his Jelly well, beyond his music. ← According to the AMG bio, he gave John Hammond a number that turned out to be Dial-a-Joke. Quote
bertrand Posted October 12, 2005 Report Posted October 12, 2005 I used to think he was Frank Zappa in disguise. I stopped thinking that in December, 1993. Bertrand. Quote
Chuck Nessa Posted October 12, 2005 Report Posted October 12, 2005 I used to think he was Frank Zappa in disguise. I stopped thinking that in December, 1993. Bertrand. ← Frank was the one in disguise. Do you know who he was? Quote
Christiern Posted October 12, 2005 Report Posted October 12, 2005 I think it's great that Redbone brought a Lee Morse CD to the studio. Most artists are too self-centered to do things like that. Reminds me of a time when I interviewed Billie Holiday for my radio show in Philly--she urged me to play recordings by Annie Ross. Quote
Chuck Nessa Posted October 12, 2005 Report Posted October 12, 2005 Was that to replace the Patti Page you'd programmed? Quote
Christiern Posted October 12, 2005 Report Posted October 12, 2005 Patti Page? No, of course not! It was to replace my periodic tributes to Ethel Merman. Quote
Chuck Nessa Posted October 12, 2005 Report Posted October 12, 2005 Thanks for the clarification. I feel a bunch better now. Ethel could kick out the jams. I had a cousin who made millions selling her hairpins. Quote
Kalo Posted October 13, 2005 Report Posted October 13, 2005 If only Ethel Merman got the respect that Al Jolson does. Quote
Guest Posted October 13, 2005 Report Posted October 13, 2005 I think it's great that Redbone brought a Lee Morse CD to the studio. Most artists are too self-centered to do things like that. Reminds me of a time when I interviewed Billie Holiday for my radio show in Philly--she urged me to play recordings by Annie Ross. ← Christiern-- An honor to know you were listening. The Lee Morse CD surprised me too and I had some difficulty getting away from the subject. Not that I didn't enjoy the recording--we talked about her later, as well. I just had limited time for the whole interview, and wanted to see where else the conversation might go. Walked out to the parking lot afterwards and we spoke for another 20 minutes, but Scott Black, his cornetist, did much of the talking. Leon's just a quiet person. I'm looking forward to the show tonight. Thanks again for your note, and to David Johnson for passing it on to me. Joe Bourne Quote
Guest Posted November 17, 2005 Report Posted November 17, 2005 I've seen a lot of Leon Redbone these last few years we go see him whenever he plays Minnesota or northern Iowa, which has been a lot of late next week in Hopkins will be the 6th time in two years always a good show When I was a kid, I saw him on SNL (Saturday Night Live) It was then that I formented a suspecion that was Leon Redbone was really Frank Zappa this suspicion was reinforced a few years later when Redbone appeared on Johnny Carson plugging a Christmas album then Zappa died thus disabusing me of the notion no matter it's still great music 4 shows in Minnesota before summer gets here ought to make the winter more tolerable, eh? Quote
dave9199 Posted November 18, 2005 Report Posted November 18, 2005 Maybe Redbone "killed off" the Zappa character and nobody actually died. Hmmmm... Quote
medjuck Posted November 18, 2005 Report Posted November 18, 2005 When I was teaching at the University of Toronto I had students who claimed they'd gone to high School with the guy who became Leon Redbone. That was thirty years ago. He already looked old but if my students were right he was barely out of his teens then. Quote
duaneiac Posted June 13, 2016 Report Posted June 13, 2016 I guess Leon Redbone doesn't get discussed here much. The following was posted to his website a year ago and no mention of it has been made here. Leon Redbone, the legendary folk/jazz/roots performer has retired from both public appearances and recording. A spokesman for the artist noted, “We share the sadness and disappointment sure to be experienced by his many fans and friends and hope they understand that his health has been a matter of concern for some time. It has become too challenging for him to continue the full range of professional activities.”A Long Way Home, a collection of solo performances, both live and studio, dating from 1972, documenting the dawn of Redbone’s professional career, will be released by Nashville’s Third Man Records as a double album in the near future. Quote
_forumlogo.png.a607ef20a6e0c299ab2aa6443aa1f32e.png)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.