"If You Leave Me Now" (Chicago Cover) by Leonid & Friends, Reaction/Analysis by Musician/Producer 

The replication of this was otherworldly. I just got lost in it. The days of Sergei and Serge remain unparalleled.

Serge and Sergey are forever in our minds!

I love how the string players are smiling☺️

BEAUTIFULLY done…. Tugs at the heart ♥️

Peter Cetara would be impressed!

Oh, and let's just bring in a virtuoso French Horn musician for a perfect little part. Throws the flutter finger in there like a boss...

The happiest band on RU-vid.

I remember first listening to this song while parked at the Sonic Drive-Thru with my girlfriend in the 10th grade. A special time long ago.

This was the very first L&F video I watched... And I had tears in my eyes. That's when I definitely fell in love for this band...

this video includes some band members who have since moved on to other projects, but the band is still as solid as ever as Leonid makes sure that whoever joins, is as good as who they are replacing. i saw them last night in NYC for the 3rd time and the show was phenomenal. not a large venue, but a wine bar/supper club with entertainment. being right up front, sitting in front of the horn section, was a joy. i took my older brother for his 75th HBD to see them as he is a big fan of all the bands they cover. his first comment after the show was that he was overwhelmed by how much fun the band seemed to be having and how much they love each other and the audience. he said it was as if they were doing it all for the first time and that it wasn't a perfunctory show put on by people who had touring burn out. i agree. IMO, they do not take this experience for granted. i'm going to see them again this evening. the first 2 shows sold out and the band's and the venue's schedules allowed for an additional performance. tonight i will be sitting in front of the rhythm section and vocalists. its going to be fun. as always, thanks for posting and especially for giving them the exposure they deserve. ☮❤🙏

THE BRILLIANCE OF "CHICAGO"-------------THE GENIUS OF LEONID !!!!!!!!

These guys are so good. It makes one realize just how good Chicago was.

There is such beauty in excellence.

The French Horn was excellent.

Leonid & Friends bring us happyness

A spot-on performance! The singer has Peter Cetera pegged. I wouldn't know the difference between them.

I can only think of one word: IMPECCABLE!

I love this group so much! Saw them for the first time last year at The Canyon in Montclair California. We are going again in November. Props to all the members but Ksenyas voice just melts me.

This one kills me brings back some very sad times. Brilliant performance as always guys 👍 ❤

Every part for every instrument is just impeccable including the vocals! ❤

By far the best cover of this song `I've` ever heard. Not that it gets covered much anyway, but that was spot on. Even the vocalist. If I heard that version on the radio, I'd swear it was Chicago.

Goose bumps. The last time i went to a Chicago show was in Spokane a few years ago. I ran up to Peter Ceterra and he signed my piano book of Chicago songs... Saturday in the Park. I love Leonid and Friends. Thanks again Jeff for this presentation.

Beautifully done!

Amazing. You'll be blown away by their live performance when you see them! I've seen them twice in Florida and they are one of the most enjoyable concert performers I've ever seen or heard.

I am flooded with memories when I hear this. Chicago was my favorite band in High School . What a wonderful piece of music, performed brilliantly by Leonid and Friends. Thanks for reviewing this, and bringing it to us!

10 yrs old. This song was played on the radio every morning before school on am radio. Woke us up for school. lol Leonid and Friends are 🔥!

Absolutely delightful

It must have been amazing to be in the studio… notice the expressions on the string players.

I love these guys. They have been my favorite band these days. Wait until you see them. They're incredible. We're driving a hour north to see them in Salem Oregon! Can't wait.

I haven't seen you review when Leonid's band was recording during COVID and had to make some changes. Look at "So Very Hard to Go" with their newest singer. Excellent sound.

Feeling nostalgic here. 🥲😍❤️

Listen to Hard To Say I'm Sorry by Leonid and Friends ❤❤

Crazy good! Truly a remarkably beautiful song performed to perfection

The bass player (the older man) got a hold of a Chicago album back in the day. But living in Russia it was forbidden to possess music etc. Leonid listened to each note and composed the song note by note! And figured out which musical instruments that would make that note. You talk about a project! So this man is a genius! I love this group. I am 64 and was around for the original Chicago songs. I have to say the Russian cover is better! Go Leonid!

Not only the mixing, but the mics and board...man, the compression is just perfect!! I've said this before but, how do they sing in English like this? Serge is Ukrainian...how does he make himself sound like he was born in Illinois? LOL. I guess he has the same talents as the rest of the band: a perfect-pitch ear!

It's funny that you're doing a reaction video, I was just listening to this in my playlist. They cover the song so well. One week from today I'll be seeing them at Penn's Peak in Jim Thorpe, PA. While I miss Serge, Michael does handle these songs very well. You're going to have a great time when you see them too!!

If this came on the radio I wouldn't know it wasn't the original. Chicago should be looking here when recruiting new members.

Jeff, it looks like you need better weather stripping. That dust is really making you wipe your eyes a lot today! I just love Serge's vocals but I can't tell if he is also singing the harmony. It almost sounds like Ksenia but she isn't shown and doesn't have credits. I may be biased as this is about the time I first started listening to L&F but this is my favorite lineup for the group (including Ksenia). I really miss Serge and Sergey. I

Every recreation of Chicago's hits (and all the artist they later paid tribute to) are impeccable, but I notice you only react to Chicago's hits. I implore to listen to some of the deeper cuts they recreate of Chicago. They pick some of their best songs. 10 or so years ago when "Brand New Love Affair" went viral and had the band Chicago's approval (Chicago put it on their website) L&F started doing a lot more Chicago song recreations. Over time, thanks to suggestions of commenters suggestings other horn band's, they greatly expanded their tributes and have toured the U.S. several times.

You gotta hear "Happy Man" by this band. Another Chicago cover.

Leonid made sure, that his Basscan´t be overheard in the mix ;-) They all had so much fun, especially the string section.

I can hardly wait for reaction to feeling stronger everyday Ive been following the band for about 3 years . They bring me so much joy and make me remember the soundtrack of my life. Im such a huge fan ❤

In April I had tickets to see Lenoid & Friends in concert in Nashville. A day before the concert, something came up which I had to address and I couldn't go to the concert and it really broke my heart. Their performances are top notch. If anyone can go to one of their concerts, do so. Odd how a band from Russia does songs from years ago better than any other group.

Just a comment on mixing/producing material. I always had the utmost respect for a well engineered song. I believe the Beatles, while being innovative by them selves, were helped immensely by the creative and genius George Martin

Jeff, I"m going to see these guys IN PERSON on Sunday! Thanks to you!

I truly Love this channel and how it features great artists and increíble music! This is a true cover masterpiece. Any closer to the original it’s impossible…. Wow. Thank you for bringing such great content.

Hi Jeff! Great choice. I'm also Southern California. I'm in the Granada Hills/ Northridge area and we get the same winds you get. I think you're out around Westlake Village or Thousand Oaks? Maybe run into you when they play Oxnard! All the best!! Bob Love

Serge T does great vocals on this. He has been stuck in Ukraine since the war. Go to his album "From the Other Side of the Planet" and listen to him singing STYX "Come Sail Away". The whole album is great.

When this song came out, I was delivering newspapers in Richmond, VA. My friend had a transistor radio on his bicycle and this song was playing when all of a sudden I heard a loud noise and a long, healthy line of profanity and finally a cat screeching. While riding his bike through yards throwing papers, he first ran over a lawn sprinkler and then a cat - at that point he fell off the bike. Fifty years later, I think about that every time I hear this song. Fun times.

"How did Chicago write so many great songs?" - my belief is that there are still many folks with great song-writing skills. But industry execs have for decades forced almost all into little boxes of "You need to sound like this guy or girl", have a map of {I,VC,VC,B,CC,O}, eliminate instrument solos etc. Tiny boxes. The open web now allows freedom and self-distribution. But at the expense of high-dollar promotion and often, great production. But at least it's more free now for great groups like this, Snarky Puppy, Dirty Loops et al. Great channel, man. Love you brother

Real Nice👍❤️

Thanks, Jeff. Another impeccable performance. Love it.

Plea-ea-se don't miss these guys live -- it's almost freaky how good they are live . .

That was incredibly beautiful! Just a gorgeous song! 🩷🩷🩷🥰

Listening to your comments on how the music brings back memories as to what was going on in your life at the time. I think that is first and foremost the wonder of music. Music can immediatly take you to a place in your life and of course, the quality of the piece plays a big part in that. Chicago and later on when Peter Cetera collaborated with David Foster, put out some brilliant songs that will be around for a long long time. Stay safe my friend.

Hey Jeff... been enjoying watching you discover and react to this group which I've been singing the praises of since they started appearing online. I grew up in Newbury Park, right up the road from you about the same time in the late 70s playing all these Chicago, EW&F, ToP, etc. songs in the NPHS marching, jazz and concert bands so I totally relate to your memories and emotions of the time. I've seen L&F live now about 5 times, the last time in Oxnard on a day I literally traveled 3000 miles to get there and planning on getting there again this November where I look forward to meeting you! -Ken R.

A true masterpiece....was fortunate to see Chicago twice in the early and mid 70;s....the 2nd time was one week prior to the tragedy that hurt us all..

This song is missing something but I can't put my finger on it.......Oh yeah, no Ksenia sigh.

This was a beautiful Homage class cover to this song and group. Your reaction and analysis was me. Just jaw dropping awe. I hope you exercised that jaw, I see what’s next. ❤ Joe

Oh my gosh, the memories, the goosebumps…… It was one of the ones I’d put a penny into the jukebox for ☺️ Although this seems such a’word-for-word’ cover, I really enjoyed it. And what a great song! Thanks for showcasing this, Jeff 🙏

Jeff, would you Please do "Windy" by the Association?

Great review Jeff! Serge does Citara to the T. Amazing performance by all. It takes us back.

Hello from Kansas City! I was wondering if I could make a request. I’d like to hear you do a cover of “No Tell Lover”, from the “Hot Streets” album. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m actually surprised that you haven’t recorded that song yet. Thank you so much!✌️😀

I'll see you in Oxnard! I think it'll be my 51st concert!

Anyone in phx? Theyrecoming in Nov!

I think David Foster wrote some of the best songs that Leonid have covered alongside Peter Cetera the main vocalist.

This is an early Leonie and Friends, pre Ksenia. Serge had to add the high harmonies and thus double tracked the whole vocal. It is the only upload not totally live.

I believe this is the complete playlist of Chicago songs that Leonid & Friend's have videos of: Mongonucleosis Introduction Listen Street Player Happy Man Woman Don't Want to Love Me Ain't it Blue Free Stay The Night Hot Streets What's This World Coming To You Are On My Mind Alive Again Hanky Panky/Life Saver Old Days Just You 'n' Me Call On Me 25 or 6 to 4 I'm a Man Feeling Stronger Everyday Hard to Say I'm Sorry/Get Away Make Smile Color My World Saturday In The Park Your The Inspiration If You Leave Me Now Dialogs Parts 1&2 Brand New Love Affair Pt 1&2 Colour My World Wishing You Were Here Beginnings I've Been Searching So Long Questions 67 & 68 Mississippi Delta City Blues Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is

Its all about Terry

I’m sorry being a big Peter Cetera fan I can still hear his voice singing this beautiful song. Not bad though

Very much like Peter Cetera !

You won't hear or see Serge or Sergey. The Band has not been the same since Serge and Sergey left the band. They were the real feel and voices for the Chicago sound with L&F.

During their live perfosnces Leonid hss turmed this song into a duet with Ksenia and Serge T and now Mikail. It may not be on the current setlist so check 2022 performaces.

This guy is the closest thing to Cetera that you will ever experience.

How does one group like Chicago produce so many hits? Good question. The answer is - I don't know - exactly, but if I had to guess, this is what I would guess. They had a leader of the caliber of Leonid at the helm of their musical ship. He, whomever he was, was, (and I must hasten to add, I know nothing about Chicago's actual background or the composition of the band); but likely he was a composer as well as lyricist. Most importantly though - the sine quo non quality he had to have? A vision for the type of music that he wanted the band to create or perhaps collectively they all had this vision and, because they were all likely geniuses in the brain power, talent departments, and worked well together and compatible? Rather than difficult people who were divisive, fractious personally - as was the case with so many bands that didn't get along and too soon fractured and broke up because of the immaturity and lack of compatibility, narcissism of the members? They they manage to stay together long enough to produce "so many" hits. Having a synergy that enabled to be brought into being a magical moment of creativity and maintain it for a time - albeit also knowing that the sand in their hour glass, moment of being in the spotlight would, not might, would run out - they just didn't know when. But, there had to be one person who truly was in charge who held everyone together; who understood everyone personally and professionally - knew their potentials as well as limitations and then? Could - like Leonid - orchestrate, meld together seamlessly all the different, disparate elements that go into the creation of a work of art of music in any other realm of endeavor. Rather than being, not just producing and being a one-hit wonders but a the proud parents of a collection of songs that - even to this day - we are all enjoy and love. It doesn't happen very often it did but in the case of chicago, Earth Wind and Fire and I'm sure there are a few more that you could name given your far more versed in all of the vernacular of the music industry than I, Jeff. In an event I would be curious, since you undoubtedly do know the real background of the band how close I've come to perhaps characterizing secret to their success what their secret sauce was?

🤍💛🧡💗💚💙💜🤎🖤✌

Better than the original???

Who sings the song if you leave me now, because he is no longer with this band and a few others, I was going to see them in concert, but not until I heat how the next person sings because he probably sings 70 to 75 percent of the music they do

Where's Ksenia on this one?

Only criticism I would have is his voice sounds a bit over produced, I would have liked him to sound a bit more live