Philzone.org - Philzone Phansite Community Discussion Board: Setlists and Reviews: Non GD Related Reviews: Archive: Leon Russel 5/30 Buffalo, NY

I had the pleasure of catching Leon at the Laffayette Tap Room in downtown Buffalo last evening. The night opened with a local r&b/blues band. They were alright but were pretty simplistic. Lots of 1,3,5 basslines and 1,4,5 chord changes. They were fun, don't get me wrong but not for 1 1/2 hours. Played some Keb Mo', Wilson Pickett, and James Brown, so at least they had good tastes.

After a quick set break I was caught by surprise when the band came on in the other part of the bar I hadn't noticed. Just having surgery less than two weeks ago, I was trying to set for a spell to save up for Leon. It was jam packed but I found a door/wall to lean on about 40 feet from Leon near the soundboard. The crowd was older but the hours at the bar served them well and everyone was on their feet and dancing! The band sounded great. They had an organ player that wasn't there the last time I saw them. He added great textures to Leon's nimble piano parts. The lead guitarist has also grown more comfortable and confident within the band. He was adding great backing vocals, strongs leads, and some nice slide. He got one of the best responses of the night playing a solo blues piece with some tasty electric slide. The show was mostly uptempo but it was the slower numbers where they really brought it home (Georgia, A Song for You). Here's a partial listing of the songs played, not really in order:
Rollin' in My Sweet Baby's Arms
Dixie Lullaby
It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It ....
A Hard Rains Gonna Fall
Stranger in a Strange Land
Wild Horses
Prince of Peace
Delta Lady
Hoochie Coochie Man
Come In My Kitchen
Georgia
A Song For You
Jumpin Jack Flash

I'm of course missing at least half a dozen songs but that'll give you a good idea. He's playing a lot of intimate venues, so this living legend if you can.

I caught Leon a year or so ago, loved the show! The band sounded great and Leon wore the white suit!

I saw him once years ago. He wore the white suit then, as well. Did he play "Tightrope"?