Josh Leggett and Rick Silanskas lost and found each other over the past three decades. All it took to bond these performers back together were the vagaries of life and the spirit of music.
“Life is a journey and in our journeys, we’ve both had a lot of ups and downs,” said Silanskas, a computer wizard who plays and programs keyboards for the duo. “Josh is like a son to me and he brought me back to what I do best—music.”
“We’ve gone through some tough times and I think we needed each other — that’s why this music is so special,” Leggett said. “We always say, our music comes from the heart.”
That music was on display Sunday for two packed Mother’s Day shows at Katie Belle’s. The concert was called: “The Magic of the Night: A Musical Journey.”
Watch video of Sunday’s performance:
It featured everything from Silanskas recreating Deep Purple’s hammering metal guitar riff on “Smoke on the Water,” to Leggett’s spiritual embrace of the gospel standard, “How Great Thou Art.”
The music may be enhanced by complex digital programming but the formula for this act is simple: Leggett’s dynamic vocals enhanced by Silanskas’ technological mastery.
At times, Silanskas made the machine sound like a full orchestra. Another time it sounded just like the pipe organ at the Sistine Chapel, and still another time, it was the Glenn Miller Band.
But there’s more than a magic box to this combination. Both Silanskas and Leggett have a deep appreciation of music history. They have a knack for conveying the emotion of many musical eras – from the 1940s to the present. The also appreciate each other.
They first met nearly three decades ago. Leggett was a grammar school kid trying to get into the St. Paul’s Catholic Church choir in Leesburg. The choir was headed by Silanskas.
“That was a long time ago; we got together occasionally, but didn’t see each other for years. Somehow, we’re now back together,” Leggett said. “We think this show is a unique way to look at music history.”
Silanskas, who has composed music for television and movies and performed all over the world, stresses he arranges the songs and plays every note live. He does not use pre-recorded tracks.
“It’s all live,” Silanskas said. “We’ve got more than $150,000 of equipment and everything I play is live. This is real music.”
The show began with Silanskas talking about his late father and the songs he loved from the 1940s and early ’50s.
Leggett started things off with a mellow version of “It Had To Be You.” Silanskas followed by roaring through some 1940s’ boogie-woogie, including a rollicking version of Glenn Miller’s “In the Mood.”
The duo jumped to the 1960s to play some folk hits, including “Where Have All The Flowers Gone” and “If I Had a Hammer.” The real highlights came when they took on Simon and Garfunkel.
Both Silanskas and Leggett did justice to the classic “Sounds of Silence.” Leggett hit all the high notes on the challenging “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”
Then it was time to mix a little jazz and rock on Van Morrison’s “Moondance.” The hard driving beat picked up on Billy Joel’s “It’s Still Rock and Roll To Me.” Then Leggett added some smooth and classy stylings to “Scenes From an Italian Restaurant.”
Silanskas showed his versatility playing an acoustic guitar on the keyboards and kicking out the jams on a jumping bluegrass instrumental.
But the night’s most moving number came in a tribute to Elvis. Leggett sang the old spiritual “How Great Thou Art,” which was one of Elvis’ favorites.
There was more Leggett power towards the end of the show when he sang an emotional “Old and Wise,” originally done by the Alan Parsons Project.
These Sunday shows were the real debut for the duo’s musical concept. And an enthusiastic audience responded with a standing ovation.
“I think Josh is becoming a better singer all the time,” said J.R. “Jim” Zurak, who produces music events in The Villages. “Josh is maturing and his voice is also maturing.
“I was most impressed by the variety and musicality of this show. It’s amazing to sit there and hear what sounds like a full orchestra, when there are only two people on stage.”
Villager George McCalla agreed.
“Josh sounded great and I couldn’t believe hearing the sounds of all those instruments.”
Villager Paula Jennings showed up with a group of Leggett’s local fans. “Josh is a great singer and we always liked him. The music was great and my only criticism is I wish he sang more tonight.”
One person who enjoyed the show was Vi Pfahler, Leggett’s grandmother. “I always love the way Josh sings,” she said. After the concert was over, Leggett planted a Mother’s Day kiss on Grandma’s cheek.
Leggett and Silanskas hope to take the show on the road and play throughout the country. They will return to Katie Belle’s for two more shows on May 24.
“I’ve never been more humbled and grateful to be here tonight,” Silanskas said. “I had a gift (music) but somehow I lost it. But, with Josh’s help, I found it again. This means so much to me.”
Leggett and Silanskas hold a special place in their hearts for The Villages. “This is where it began,” Leggett said.
“And this will always be our home base.”
