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Legendary pianist Chuck Leavell on his career with the Allman Brothers and the Rolling Stones.
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-- -- You know things -- just been great I guess if there was a disappointment you know that I was working with John Mayer and recorded with John over the course the past year for his new record and we were all set to tour we're going to be out through the end of October perhaps beyond.
And unfortunately had to return of -- things held a granular Omaha and between his vocal -- and we had to pull the plug on the tour so.
I'm a little bit and reset mode but the good news is -- thank you for showing their cover to my new record the good news is that I do you have a new record my own account which is a celebration of blues piano players.
Undermine your autograph show how -- to become an original -- Allman Brothers took her back to that.
Well I had moved to Georgia from Alabama where I grew up and I've heard about a record label their call Capra corn records -- you know Donna I think I was all of seventeen years old and -- went over there.
And saw opportunity and started working my way up the latter worked with a guy name Alex Taylor for a couple years Alex was James Taylor's elder brother.
Started working on various recording sessions of artists it would come through their.
And eventually in 72.
After the tragic death of Duane Allman and 71.
With the -- I think they were looking for something a little different and we have these jam sessions that occurred there at the studio and -- and and things went very well with them a couple of weeks after that I get a -- to say would you come in for meeting.
With Phil Walden who was the manager the band at the time -- And -- walk in and there's all the guys in the Allman Brothers in the room massive world would that do wrong.
You know and lo and behold she drops and they say -- the jam session have been going pretty good would you like to join the -- so.
I think we know the answer already then yeah.
Just turned twenty.
-- -- about a piano player -- -- Well you know I think the piano is something that appeals to -- may be a little bit more than the organs that you know when of course with the years with the Allman Brothers grade.
Who is a great Hammond -- three player.
Was was so you do in those duties -- -- -- it acoustic PM.
You know we kind of got them all.
And I'm not sure why it was -- great daily press and costs aka Sam Moore battlefront amounts for.
I don't know thirty sort of five there's analyst -- -- wants applauded Brad Miller wooden.
Penny was news groups wanted to have some.
-- Billy was fantastic let me tell you little story when I was probably thirteen.
I went with my sister to -- Ray Charles concert.
And is certainly a life changing event for me.
But Billy Preston was in the band and ray gave Billy a special spot you know -- -- go out front sang a song and -- and courses but -- The three and play in -- so well.
And so that was really the day that decided the night the decided me what my career was going to be it was seeing that the band with brave the riddle that so that hit Newman on Saxon of course -- Log on the -- -- -- -- -- while -- -- cars you.
And but -- laws and really still is not true musical hero.
-- I found a wonderful track.
Recorded in 1953.
Excuse me that we did all my record does -- losing hand great blues track.
-- more famous.
Piano -- souls of all -- we were talking about it.
Earlier this morning -- -- -- or just kept all of our Brothers.
Song -- -- your when your bled out.
Well that was my first choice so that will I was -- money had just turned twenty in this sort of in the summer going into the fall of flow and 72.
And yeah it was a great vehicle for.
The instrument really -- thank you Dickey Betts for writing a song.
And given me.
A -- spot.
And it and you know it was fun to arrange the song I have a little bit to do with the arrangement that you know that was -- -- morality -- east Sheehan.
I think the the band interpreted very well and fortunately for me Clinton it was a nice vehicle for the -- -- -- their disaster down.
They're now are gonna -- got a report out now and -- -- -- I do I -- ready yet I did read some excerpts from I think it was Rolling Stone magazine monitor and it must -- I'm told I am and told that there's a nice comments so I appreciate death from -- and it's still remained good friends with all the guys and get to sit in with them occasionally.
You know they do that wonderful run at the beacon theater -- in New York every year and I had last summer played with them was when they were celebrating the fortieth anniversary which was -- -- three of three years ago maybe.
No rebound on non a couple of times.
Has Warren -- yeah and I was shocked.
May not -- on our Norman bank that got.
On March when.
I was shocked at how great it is good conduit to play guitar but -- director center you know last.
Warren is just amazing and -- people know this but -- produced warrants first solo record.
Renewed yep which was called tales of ordinary madness it's a great record I think you know -- Warren is such a great songwriters as well as his talents as it is you mentioned as a singer.
And -- guitar player.
And void that it's an honor and a joy anytime I get to work with Warren but it was certainly an honor and a joy to do that first record and our current the charter elementary.
Most famous as -- -- -- The Rolling Stone joined them back and members -- they're related trial test drug it was 82 bought out at them.
Well I know you'll remember the name Bill Graham.
-- -- Bill Graham was of course a great promoter rock and roll and often times referred to as the impresario of rock.
Promoted so many great venues in -- -- he was he had Fillmore east in the Fillmore west.
A facilities sin.
Later in life he worked mainly out of California the San Francisco area.
Anyway the Allman Brothers were a favorite.
Of deals when I came into the Brothers I think he looked at me with a little bit of skepticism thanking what is the piano player doing -- -- guitar man.
But I won bill over is a friend and later when I had my -- sea level -- help me out.
And then fast forward to 81 he becomes tour director for The Rolling Stones on the tour that was after the tattoo you record.
And they -- the guys want to try some new faces they had already -- some -- keyboard players from the New York area.
And lo and behold I get a call out of the blue from you know from his office saying.
The Rolling Stones are looking for you well.
Within.
36 hours I was on a plane.
Up to Connecticut where the -- was rehearsing.
-- Maine Massachusetts it was -- farm in Massachusetts.
Where the man was rehearsing out to do an audition and -- they kept me up there for three days and boy oh boy got to get.
Progress chart rebel announcement brand never rent and the might -- again.
Yes wow what a great.
Her new record where did an Imus fresh record and -- -- Abacha.
Records and allied don't know restaurant monitor for.
Minus calories still potentially dire shares are -- Irish shares horses -- -- -- Chris trainers from Fort Worth.
Used to play drowning somebody said to me want to -- that -- Have you ever heard of Mike Finnegan.
-- all I have known.
Well we did that that part time loved her to a part time lone -- her death from Mike Finnegan of travelers then yes oh my god what -- -- -- Man that -- can play and saying you know -- an incredible voice.
Well -- and your new album all I have some models.
No no all yeah and I I -- two point.
You know the the funny thing is with me.
Song -- my life but I keep -- up in these Benson and working with these artists of the great singers so I don't get to do is so much.
You know what is you know whether we're talking about Gregg -- over the we're talking about Eric Clapton owner order economic -- But I'd I'd -- saying and on the new record which is a celebration of blues piano players -- you know I want to go back soon.
To the early.
Beginnings of blues piano what we're talking about mostly prewar era so -- late thirties into the forties.
Names that are not so well -- but great players.
Lee Roy Carr.
Memphis slim ultra you know Skip James.
And then we do get some more well known names in the air Otis Spann.
And and I mentioned Ray Charles earlier.
It didn't want -- what a great journey this was to do this project I didn't wanna -- -- -- we're out of time.
That's a great cut you -- debt on Jimmy Fallon -- Tom and I refer to -- -- What a great record -- -- man thanks yet Keith is just a monster and a parent that was a lot of fun celebrating exile on main street are.
