Posted on 11/11/2023 6:55:28 PM PST by fidelis
I'm surprised no one has posted this yet. A beautiful note-for-note cover of the Carpenters classic, "Superstar" by the Russian group, Leonid & Friends.
I’m sorry. I post most L&F releases and forgot to do this masterpiece. Ksenia is incredible on this.
It has been posted in the middle of other threads, on Karen Carpenter etc...Yes. This is great.
Written by Bonnie Bramlet and Leon Russell, I think.
It’s Leon Russell’s song I think
Ya. Bonnie Bramlett and Leon Russell
I was prepared to be underwhelmed. I was very impressed with the production value, and that they can make a live studio recording with the arrangement so true to a track-laid studio version.
I was unfamiliar with this Ksenia, but her voice is exceptional, and she has an excellent presence.
You are correct. Bonnie Bramlett and Leon Russell, with a songwriting credit also given to Delaney Bramlett (remember Delaney & Bonnie & Friends?)
A live studio performance like this also shows how much effort was made to get the exact right sound.
Oboe, two French horns, trombone, trumpet, saxophone, two keyboards, harp, drums, and what’s that big sitar looking thing in the back? There is a lot going on there, and a lot of work to match it perfectly.
They were here last month for two concerts and, amazingly, they sound just as good live as they do in the studio version. Check out some of their other covers (mostly of Chicago and other horn-fronted bands like EWF),
That would be an interesting undertaking for them.
Yup, they have to find someone who can sing like John Lennon and play piano like Elton John, and match the Muscle Shoals Horns.
I’d overture her all night long
And she was very sweet in person when I met her 2-3 years ago
The ones that I’ve met are generally very nice
I’ve met several of the performers
Great shows
For comparison, here's the Carpenters' version.
She had just gotten herself a shake and was afraid that her hand was sticky so she was a little embarrassed.
Wearing glasses, she was, when I first met her. /Yoda Voice
The next year she was in a hurry to get to next concert. I barely had time to ask her a question about a song.
According to Interestingly, one lyric was changed in the Carpenters' version to maintain Karen's clean image. Wikipedia again:
"Because the original subject matter of the song was more risqué than was typical for the Carpenters, Richard changed a lyric in the second verse from "And I can hardly wait/To sleep with you again" to the less suggestive "And I can hardly wait/To be with you again."
According to Wikipedia:
""Superstar" is a 1969 song written by Bonnie Bramlett and Leon Russell, with a songwriting credit also given to Delaney Bramlett, that has been a hit for many artists in different genres in the years since. The best-known versions are by the Carpenters in 1971, and by Luther Vandross in 1983."
Interestingly, one lyric was changed in the Carpenters' version to maintain Karen's clean image. Wikipedia again:
"Because the original subject matter of the song was more risqué than was typical for the Carpenters, Richard changed a lyric in the second verse from "And I can hardly wait/To sleep with you again" to the less suggestive "And I can hardly wait/To be with you again."
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