Michael Leonhart - The Musician's Musician
-
Artist:
-
Album:
-
Track:
Just caught Michael again last week at Rockwood Music Hall and my mouth is still agape. The man can seamlessly move from guitar, to synthesizer to trumpet to some zany wind up toy to vox, the whole time looking and sounding like he was born playing them all. It's absolutely maddening! The audience is usually packed with other NYC singer songwriters that are fantastic in their own right. However, one thing is agreed upon by all. Michael lives in another dimension, one where whatever music is in your head is effortlessly achievable.
His wife, Jamie sits in with him as well, and is a very tasty singer and songwriter herself. I am honored to have had her sing on my first ep and sing back up for me live.
Whatever this guy records is generally immaculate, tasteful, soulful, groovy, etc.
My lady was kind enough to nab the last copy of his recent record for me. Hotel Music was recorded in various hotel rooms throughout the world while he was touring with Steely Dan. He only made 200 copies on vinyl and hand painted them all. I got the last one! I've been digging into it and am really enjoying it, especially since it is not what I would normally put on the turntable. I can't include the wide range of stuff he does in this post, but I highly recommend you check out this link and this link to get a sense of it.
His recent shows are very groove oriented and have a fantastically casual danger to them. You can tell the musicians are not incredibly well rehearsed and they really don't have to be they are so good. Michael just roams the tiny stage directing them all. I am on a one man crusade to get him to wear a pimp suit and hat to really mac the thing out cuz I think it will fit the vibe and add that wild zany flare that is evident in the tunes. If this guy wanted to, he could sell out large venues with that kind of thing. But he'd rather just follow his muse and keep on making great records, all different from each other, all special. I will keep listening and so should you!
This track is off The Suzy Lattimore EP. It is just one of many sounds the man has mastered in his endless exploration through his own special dimension.
Here's another that will give ya a sense of the live beast at tiny but amazing sounding Rockwood Music Hall.
Comments (6)
wow, a perfect way to end my night on mog
Whoa. :=)
For a second there, I thought I was at MOOG.com, but, as ever, MOG.com (and its omniverous contributors) takes us to different and exciting places. This certainly plays on my affection for electronic music, Neil. Kewl.
Fantastico, so glad you peeps are enjoying it. The man is a musical omnivore! Great word Mike. By the way, how is your leg holding up?
Thanks for asking. Happy to report that the leg is still attached to the rest of my body, and I'm getting around on the crutches. But I won't really know how its healing for another month or two - or three. It's a (pardon the expression) lame situation. I will say this: I intend to stand on my own two feet and walk without the crutches some time this year.
Glad it's attached, Jesus Mike, the only upside is that you can build your upper body with all that crutch work. I'm going to start doing some push ups so that when I come out to LA to visit my bro sometime this Spring, I'll be able to carry you around.
I joined you in the land of the leg injuries last week by missing a stair in my apt while cleaning up a coffee spill. The horror! I'm just finally moving out of the limping phase.