The stage was set, the band was ready and the crowd was anxious. From out of the haze walked a man dressed entirely in white with a long, shocking white mane (and beard) to match. Leon Russell was in the house.

There was no game playing during Thursday night's show at the Junkyard. Leon powered through his hour and a half long set with the grace, energy and style that only comes from years on the road. The first thing I noticed about him was his presence; Leon commanded the audience's attention just by being in the room. Upon taking the stage he paused for a brief moment, looked out at the audience and then sat at his piano and began to play. Leon seemed to be in his own world as his fingers danced on the keys, and his husky vocals had the audience in tow.

The band was tight and the songs were rockin'. I recognized several of the tunes, but some were new to me. Many audience members found themselves dancing to the Kansas Cityish, "bop" tunes as well as the slower, more bluesy songs. Overall, Leon's performance was refreshing and invigorating. I felt at ease in the mixed age crowd and left feeling my time had been well spent.

J.D. Ashcraft Born in 1880 to a coal miner and an alligator wrestler, I came to Orlando after the great depression to take part in the new media revolution that was television. Now, some 50 years later, I am still active in new media via The Slant. Der wiesel ist in der flub!. Other Articles I've Written