Written by Paul Simon and originally performed by Simon and Garfunkel, this live version of Homeward Bound by Leon Russell (and Gary Ogan) is a TREASURE I had never heard before yesterday.

Gary Ogan is a forty-seven year veteran in the music business and an Oregon Music Hall of Fame inductee. He moved to Los Angeles in 1977 to sign with Leon Russell’s Paradise Records.

From Gary Ogan: “As the winter of 1977 approached, I was booked as a solo opener for Phoebe Snow on a short run through the Pacific Northwest, five dates altogether, including Thanksgiving night in Portland at the Civic Auditorium. Once the mini-tour was confirmed, Leon mentioned that he and Mary wanted to fly up for my Portland show. He asked if I wanted him to sit in with me. Then he shared the idea he had hatched. He and Mary would watch my set from the wings, then he would step out unannounced after my last song for a duet of “Homeward Bound.” He would sing lead, I would sing backup, we would do the song in the key of C, I would capo my guitar at the 8th fret and play the song in the G position. Once again, I loved how much thought he had put into such a generous gesture. It came off great too. The place went nuts when he walked out, and the ovation would not stop after we left. Here’s a shot of that performance.”  

This is a long lost soundboard audio of an unreleased performance with Gary Ogan, featuring the Master of Space and Time, Leon Russell.

Leon’s musical genius never fails to bring joy. His interpretation is AMAZING, as is the perfection of his voice for these lyrics. It’s rare to hear him sing without sitting at his piano.