Dave Keyes / Leon Russell
" Old Paramus Theater "
by L.C. Marchand

Leon Russell (born Claude Russell Bridges) is such an enormous personality, legend, and mystery in modern music history that it's easy to understand that there was a noticeable hush in the theater as we waited for him to come on stage. Russell began playing at 14 (in 1956), lying about his age to land a gig playing backup at a Tulsa, OK nightclub to play with Ronnie Hawkins behind Jerry Lee Lewis. This author of such songs as 'Delta Lady', 'This Masquerade', 'Song for You' has played with literally everyone that was creating the new music scene in the 1960s and on.

The moment arrived, the lights dimmed, the announcer announced, "Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome to the stage - Leon Russell!" Thunderous applause resounded throughout the room and Leon walked on stage, sat down at his gear, and BANG - went right into 'Rollin' in my Sweet Baby's Arms' without so much as a nod to the audience in acknowledgement of their greeting.

The show was amazing, pure Leon Russell, with his rambling country style that has been his trademark for decades. With his 2 daughters on stage with him; Tina Rose and Sugaree Noel, Russell ran the set like a barreling freight train in a seemingly endless medley through Stranger in a Strange Land to Lady Blue to Sixteen Tons and on and on.

The talent was obvious, the room was rockin' - but - everything seemed hurried, all the songs played at double speed and none it seemed, played all the way through. When there was a moment of downtime between songs there was barely enough time to even get your hands together to applaud before off they went into the next set of songs.

About the middle of the show, Russell's daughter Tina Rose took center stage to sing a song of her own. Wow! This gal can really sing! She has a magnificent range and uses her instrument as well as any. She growled and wailed with a beautiful voice. She communicates a sensuality like a sultry jungle cat - both dangerous and desirable at the same time. Tina Rose could have a serious future ahead of her. She is a consummate vocalist with great stage presence. At the end of her song, Leon voiced over, "I love you baby". Would love to hear Tina sing some Standards (Billie, Ella, etc). She'd be great at it, I'm sure.

And, off we go again! Like a smoothly oiled machine the band cranked out another set of songs in medley fashion and at top speed again. All your Leon Russell favorites were touched on.

Then Mr. Russell did a solo, "Georgia (on my mind)". This was NOT hurried, was performed beautifully as if caressing a lover. This stirred me in a way I remembered from the very first time I him in the 1960s.

Closing with Kansas City in rousing fashion (this time, apparently in triple time!), the show ended as it had begun, but in reverse. The band stopped, Leon got up and left the stage; although this time at least with a nominal nod to the audience, lights up - that's it!

I hung out for a while as the band tore down the equipment, stripped the stage, and loaded the trucks. I took the opportunity to speak with them outside the theater. They work and travel very much like a nomadic family. They all sleep either in the bus or in the trucks, go from one gig to the next, and play the exact same sets every time. The overall impression I got was that this was a group of very talented and devoted musicians that would really like the opportunity to stretch out and do something a little different once in a while. But, as long as their on Leon's gig it's going to be his way, period.

I continue to be a great Leon Russell fan. That will never change. But, I was left with a hunger for more. I was hoping to hear the Leon Russell that I have been listening to for decades. The laid-back country drawl in his singing style with a touch of devilish play in it. Instead I felt like I was being rushed through the receiving line at a wedding.

Overall I enjoyed the show and, due to the fact that Leon is such a musical icon, I would recommend that if you get the chance - go see him. He has got to be one of the hardest working musicians I have ever seen. I only wonder if he enjoys playing his music as much as I like listening to it.

Dave Keyes is truly a 1 man band. However, I mean that in the absolutely most respectful of ways. It takes a special talent to be a solo entertainer. It's so much easier when you are part of a group. But, out there by yourself, there's no net. It's just you and the audience. And, these days when the audience can be made up of those who are used to instant gratification, fast food, digital Cable TV, DSL Internet, etc..., we're talking about people with the attention span of a Speed Freak going by in a rocketship.

Yet, Keyes manages to do just that. Solo in the spotlight he captured everyone, all eyes were glued to the stage as he rolled in 'Sometimes with Heartache' off his new album. It is a gentle and mournful Blues song that strangely had its own undertones - I could have sworn I heard saxophone in there, wailing in the background.

Dave's singing style covers all bases and he can go from a light sigh; waxing all the way up to a howl. His particular combination of Blues, Boogie Woogie, New Orleans Dixieland among others reminded a little of Dr. John and even a bit of Leon Russell as well. I can't claim to know that Mac was a definite influence on Dave or not, you'll have to ask him.

As Dave rolled into 'Dave's Boogie', he really turns up the heat! It was like a roller coaster ride that didn't end. You never had chance to catch your breath. There are damn few solo piano players that can do that to an audience. Really impressive!

Then, breathing new life into an old tune, Dave broke into a killer arrangement of 'Statesborough Blues'. This oft-covered song has been commercially released by at least 9 different artists over the years. Originally written in 1928 by Blind Willie McTell who also wrote the 'Wabash Cannonball' among others. Making a better silk purse out of that great standard takes some doing. Dave brought us a jumpin' New Orleans meets Texas meets Randy Newmanesque (newmanesque?) version that you really have to hear to believe. I hope it's on one of his albums!

Lastly, go see Dave if you can. It's rare to be in the same space with an artist that so obviously takes such joy in what he does. It's infectious, and will take you on a wonderful journey that Dave is happy to share with you.