Official audio for Song For My Father by Leon Thomas, released on Ace Records. Subscribe to the official Ace channel for more classics, lost gems, playlists, and more: / acerecordsbroadcast
Listening to this on Father's Day 2024! My dad took me to see Leon Thomas when I was about 13 at the Telluride Jazz Fest in Colorado. What a beautiful day that was! I miss my dad and I miss Leon, too.
MY DAD RETURNED 100 YEARS OLD JANUARY 8TH OF THIS YEAR WHEN I WAS A TEENAGER I SUNG THIS SONG FOR MY FATHER AND HE IS AND WILL ALWAYS BE THE MAN HE SAVED MY LIFE MANY TIMES AND FOUGHT IN WW II AND IS A DECORATED VETERAN OF PEARL HARBOR NAVY HE SURVIVED THE BOMBING AND I AM HERE BECAUSE OF HIM LOVE YOU DADDY
@Sherman Edmiston He may not have received it while he was embodied, but more people will be introduced to his work as a result of these digital platforms. This is my first introduction, and I am both mesmerized and hooked! I will be doing a deep dive into his body of work.
@@dr.simoneobryanphd7721 Wow, I so appreciate your words & sentiment, doctor. I had the good fortune to have his music, and others similar, playing in my household as a child; now I do the same for my child. Enjoy!!!
First heard this on WJZZ in Detroit while working the midnight shift in the emergency room when I was 17. Called the station to inquire the name of the song and the artist singing. I still sing this to honor my dad and grandpa because they were the man.
@@basilshahid2905 And he incorporated his vocal approach of the TWa peoples into the Memphis Blues, Jazz, Bebop, Count Basie's Big Band, Afro-Latin and any John Coltrane inspired music. The reason why his vocal approach altered was out of necessity. He was a spiritual conduit for the masses!
Hearing this today brings back such memories. I met the man in 1970's and heard him sing live with Pharoah, often in very intimate venues. Chilling to hear his voice again. Ahhh. so sweet.
The first time I heard this was on Radio station WJZZ here in Detroit back in the 70's. It brought an inner peace during a turbulent time for me. I often sing it without the yodeling.
My son wished me Fathers Day this one passed. He published it in a special way by saying how forever grateful he is because I raised him on Jazz. He sent the recording “Song For My Father “ by Horace Silver.
I heard Leon Thomas's 1969 vocal cover of Horace Silver's 1965 instrumental original for the very first time yesterday! The song came on the radio as I was driving home from a special Father's Day concert. The lyrics really touched me: _If there was ever a man who was generous, gracious, and good,_ _That was my dad-the man!_ _A human being so true, he could live like a king 'cause he knew_ _The real pleasure in life:_ _To be devoted to and always stand by me,_ _So I'd be unafraid and free._
The thing that impresses me about Leon Thomas , as much as his vocal power & uniqueness , is that his desire to learn the Pygmy "yodeling" technique was so real that he moved to Africa and lived among the Pygmies for a couple of years and learned it first hand from them . Pretty intense eh ?
That was my Dad the Man, so glad I had a chance to tell him how much this song reminded me of him before he passed on to the other side, until we meet again Dad.
Just heard this piece on WBGO, sitting in my son's car, while he's with his 4 yr old shopping. My other son too is shopping for the Christmas holidays. This song deeply move me to tears. I was a Dad!
I was initially exposed to Pharoah Sanders Egypt tune on wabx who were an underground station witj with jazz in Sun. Evenings...then I had to see the guys live at Bakers Keyboard Lounge...when I was of legal age...this music is my style!!
I first heard this song listening to KBCA/KKGO 105.1 (Los Angeles ) in the 60s and 70s. It brings back such rich memories of my Dad and the times we spent together. I never tire of hearing this Leon Thomas' rendition of a Horace Silver classic.
I heard this song on radio station KJLH " Kindness, Joy, Love and Happiness " from LA Cali back in 1971. A DJ name Bob Cole was behind the mic. He had a three or four hour set from 1-5 in the afternoon. Just serene all around.
One of the masters to ever do it...so smooth and powerfully soulful all in one. Grew up hearing him all my life and never really knew who he was as an artist in his own individuality. Brilliant he was!
I can't think of Leon Thomas enough for composing this magnificent song he nailed it right on the head and a lot of things he's singing about I took for granted but living when I was younger I thought that I had the world by the tail but Mr Thomas brought it all to reality if I can turn back the hands of time and oh yeah I listen to a hard silver's arrangement musical version you guys were geniuses you gave credit with credit is due Leon Thomas I can't thank you enough God bless you and your family peace
A very very very SMOOTH, conscious, innovative vocalist and percussionist. Joy is evident here. I love you dad. And yes Horace Silver wrote and performed the original with a band that included the fantastic drummer....billy Cobham
Nice comments . . . However Roger Humphrey was the drummer on the original recording. Billy Cobham also performed this song as a member of a later edition of Horace Silver’s group.
I bought this record when I was seventeen or so because I saw a drum on the cover. What he's doing is unique, and even in his discography this record is unequalled.
Deepest thanks to Galen "Fats" Robinson, flutist, composer and brother friend for playing this once for me as I have never ceased listening to brother Leon's yodels since.
THE FIRST GOD I KNEW WAS MY POPE, WHY, BECAUSE HIS GOD MADE HIM FROM THE CREAM OF THE CROP, SO I'M TOP OF THE CROP CAUSE I'M FROM POPE, OR I'M A C O P , CHRISTIAN ON PATROL ! ! !
Is this the earliest vocal version of this song? The original song form (from Horace Silver's album) was A-A-B, here and on Groove Holmes" version it's A-A-B-A. This causes confusion with people performing it.
