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Chuck Leavell is scary good. A world-class piano player and keyboardist, he has gotten in his licks with rock 'n roll legends like George Harrison, the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, the Allman Brothers, and the list goes on and on. Even as I write this review, Leavell is on the road with the Stones as they finish their world tour. Leavell's internationally-recognized professionalism is put to good use on What's in That Bag, an entertaining and sweetly-crafted, classic rock release that's a keeper.

What attracts me to What's in That Bag? Everything! Let's start with the album cover, which features a small boy whose face radiates uncontained surprise and joy as he peers into Santa's sack, apparently overstuffed with music-related booty. The kid's expression is priceless, and Leavell's music is priceless, too. The lucky 13 tracks include originals and some intensely creative arrangements of holiday standards, as well as a nice blend of instrumentals and vocals. Leavell also seamlessly mixes the contemporary with ancient carols, and the execution is excellent. It's all great here, beginning with the wah-wah opener It's Just Not Christmas, an addictive ode to love that grabbed my interest in the first few bars (great horn section). I adored the fantastic instrumental Joy Boogie; here, Leavell's frenetic keyboard action fuses a stately Joy to the World with an explosive boogie-woogie bounce. Leavell is a talented songwriter; his Hey Santa is especially fired up and had the immediate feel of fun familiarity. And the artist's solo moments are breathtaking (on piano in God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and O Holy Night, and on acoustic guitar in Away in a Manger). Every track offers something very special.

As for the vocals, Leavell has impressive rock pipes, slightly rough and textured with plenty of rich emotion and a bluesy edge. The artist gets plenty of superb support from other musicians and backing vocalists on What's in That Bag?; the entire package is first rate. Of special note is Lisa Fischer's classy, sassy vocal on Please Come Home for Christmas.

This time of year, I always find myself yearning for a better developed selection of rock holiday offerings. Although Chuck Leavell's What's in That Bag is a bit of a combo platter blending diverse genres, its bluesy, rock soul lifts me up, puts a smile on my face, and makes me applaud. Exceptionally nice!

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2006)

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From the liner notes:

Chuck Leavell -- Vocal, Keyboards, Wurlitzer Piano Organ, Piano, Hammond B-3 Organ, Cello, Acoustic Guitar
David Hungate -- Bass
Roger Hawkins -- Drums
Kelvin Holly -- Guitar, Electric Guitar, Slide Guitar
Michy Buckins -- Percussion
Mark Hynes -- Drums
Joe McGlohon -- Sax Solo (track 1)
Horn Section -- Charles Rose (Trombone), Harvey Thompson (Tenor Sax), Doug Moffatt (Bari Sax), Jim Armstrong (trumpet) (tracks 1,2,5,7,10)
Background Vocals -- Scott Boyer, Carla Russell, Tina Seindell, Cindy Walker
David Pomeroy -- Bass
David Hood -- Bass (track 5)
Bill Stewart -- Drums (track 5)
Lisa Fischer -- Featured Female Vocal (track 5)
Mike Copeland -- Guitar (track 6)
Scott Boyer -- Electric Guitar (track 10)
Topper Price -- Harmonica (track 10)

This project started as a Christmas card in 1996 -- with the help of my friend David Clark and the encouragement of my wife Rose Lane. I recorded a few tracks of Christmas music and 1,000 CDs and 500 cassette tapes made. I sent them to friends and relatives just for fun. A copy found its way to Capricorn Records, and to my surprise Phil Walden asked me if I wanted to put it out for the public. I decided that I should re-record some of it and add some more material -- we did and with the help of my friend Johnny Sandlin and all the other folks that worked on it, here is the result! I've always loved Christmas music -- such classic melodies as "Greensleeves," "We Three Kings," and "Oh Holy Night" are timeless and a joy to play. The addition of some original material and some R&B standards round out the program and all I can say is that I hope the listener enjoys the material as much as all of us that made it did!! Thanks and MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!
--Chuck Leavell

Chuck Leavell

What's in That Bag?

Artist link

Track List