Back in the early 90's I caught an E Train show in Emeryville. At the time Sheila's band included Eric Leeds and Renato Neto. They played two sets, and I got there early enough to get good seats to the second show and catch some of the band members while they met with people during the break. Sheila was nice and very friendly, but Eric was by far the most accessible of the bunch. I was a bit awestruck meeting him, after admiring his incredible work with Prince over the years. Eric walked right out into the crowd and mingled, posed with people for photos and signed autographs. I was lucky enough to get a pic with him and he signed my Japanese CD for Madhouse 16.

While we chatted, I asked Eric about the rumored collaboration between Miles Davis and Madhouse, and if any of it would see the light of day. He said that there was some stuff recorded, but he doubted it would ever be released. This was after Miles had passed away, and Eric said he just felt lucky to be able to play with the guy.

Now I've seen Prince's '87 New Years show (widely circulating on DVD as "Miles from the Park"), where Miles is on stage with the SOTT band including Eric, and Miles even jams a bit on a riff from Madhouse 6 during the Beautiful Night Jam. Even better, I recently found a recording of Miles's band performing a version of the unreleased Madhouse 24 track called Penetration. I love the Madhouse version (It's my favorite cut on the unreleased album), but Miles' band just tears it up!

It's both thrilling and sad to listen to, as Miles was gone soon after the performance, and I can only wonder what possibilites there were in store for Miles and Madhouse. Would Miles' band have picked up more tracks? Would Miles have guested on a Madhouse album? We'll never know.

NightGod said:

I'm jealous.

NightGod said:[quote]Back in the early 90's I caught an E Train show in Emeryville. At the time Sheila's band included Eric Leeds and Renato Neto. They played two sets, and I got there early enough to get good seats to the second show and catch some of the band members while they met with people during the break. Sheila was nice and very friendly, but Eric was by far the most accessible of the bunch. I was a bit awestruck meeting him, after admiring his incredible work with Prince over the years. Eric walked right out into the crowd and mingled, posed with people for photos and signed autographs. I was lucky enough to get a pic with him and he signed my Japanese CD for Madhouse 16. [quote]

I've been lucky enough to know Eric a little over the years and I can say he is without doubt one of the nicest cats in the industry. His big bro is too. I'd say the Leeds boys were given a really solid upbringing ...

BTW how can a guy SO funky look SO much like an accountant???

nusouldownunder said:[quote]NightGod said:[quote]Back in the early 90's I caught an E Train show in Emeryville. At the time Sheila's band included Eric Leeds and Renato Neto. They played two sets, and I got there early enough to get good seats to the second show and catch some of the band members while they met with people during the break. Sheila was nice and very friendly, but Eric was by far the most accessible of the bunch. I was a bit awestruck meeting him, after admiring his incredible work with Prince over the years. Eric walked right out into the crowd and mingled, posed with people for photos and signed autographs. I was lucky enough to get a pic with him and he signed my Japanese CD for Madhouse 16.



I want to marry into that family. Maybe I should try to get with Tristan Leeds (Alan's son... his photo was included by Alan in his Q&A thread)

Do you know where in the US they are from? Nothing sexier than good home training.

BTW how can a guy SO funky look SO much like an accountant???[/quote]

Too funny! He does have that vibe, maybe even more so in person. I think that actually makes him even more funky, almost like he's got a secret identity. Eric is one of my favorite tenor sax players, and I'd love to hear him play with some other artists and hear what kind of lines and solos he would come up with.