From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Lester Abrams
Lester Abrams
Lester Abrams drumming, adding a funk rhythm to established riffs, and
playing in clubs in Omaha’s Near North Side.
Born 1945 In his early twenties, he took the lead of The Fabulous
Genres Funk, rock Impacts,
Impacts with Joe Olivo on bass, Dave “Barney” Barnhart
on guitar, Ed Finney on organ, Harry Roberts on trumpet
Occupations Musician
and sax and ex-El Dorado Mike Hatfield on lead vocals.
Instruments Drums, vocals, organ, acoustic piano, Funded by Olivo’s father, and recorded at Sears Record-
percussion ing Studio by local label owner Eddie Haddad, the group
crafted two 45s – the Abrams’ composed “A Thousand
Lester Abrams (born 1945) is a singer, songwriter, musi- Years” b/w “Cry Cry” (both featuring Lester on lead vo-
cian and producer who has played with such artists as cals) and Allen Toussaint’s “Get Out Of My Life Woman”
B.B. King, Stevie Wonder, Peabo Bryson, Quincy Jones, backed with “Tell Me”.[1]
Manfred Mann, Brian Auger, The Average White Band,
The Doobie Brothers, Rufus and many others. Two of his The Les Smith Soul Band
co-compositions appeared on the Grammy Award win-
As Lester was developing the "Fabulous Impacts" and a
ning album "Minute by Minute". He has also composed
reputation as "the baddest drummer in town", Leslie Or-
songs for film and television; two of his works can be
lando Smith (born 1949 in Detroit) was attending North
heard in the Oliver Stone-produced movie, "South Cen-
High School and singing lead in the band "Sights and
tral".
Sounds" with, amongst others, schoolmate Ron Cooley on
Lester Abrams was also a member of and/or associ-
guitar and a bass player from Central High, Rick Chuda-
ated with several other bands and people, including Les-
coff. After a series of personnel and name changes, in-
lie Smith, Arno Lucas, Rick Chudacoff, The Les Smith Soul
cluding the addition of Arno Lucas, they became the Les
Band, L.A. Carnival, Crackin’ and more recently, Connie
Smith Soul Band.
Price and the Keystones.
After some time, Leslie invited Lester to a perfor-
mance at a local high school, and subsequently to sit in
Biography on a rehearsal. At the rehearsal, Lester joined in, and by
the end of the sessions was part of the band. He immedi-
Lester’s maternal grandmother moved the Abrams fam-
ately took over control of the band, and it went from be-
ily from the Southwest to Omaha in the early 1900s;
ing a soul band to being a funk band with the lineup:
Lester’s multi-racial father met his bi-racial mother
Lester Abrams – drums, vocals, organ, acoustic
there. Lester was born in 1945, and, as a child, had serious
piano, percussion
problems explaining his cultural background, which in-
cluded ancestry from both Native and Black America. Arno Lucas – vocals, percussion
Lester’s introduction to music was sitting next to his
grandmother at her piano. However, although he “tin- Leslie Smith – vocals
kered around” with the piano, his instrument of choice
was the drums. His skill was such that his junior high Rick Chudacoff – electric bass, backup vocals
bandleader, Harold Smith, allowed him to play with the
high school dance band. By the time he started high Ron Cooley – electric and acoustic guitar
school at high school in 1960, he had been playing in the
Geno DeVaughn – trumpet
dance band for nearly two years.[1]
Percy Marion – tenor saxophone, flute
Career Michael Patterson – alto saxophone
Early years In 1969 the band cut three tracks, all written by Abrams:
Abrams first band was the El Doradoes with Michael Hat-
Doradoes, the soulful “Blind Man”, the Arno Lucas lead “Bad Luck”,
field on rhythm guitar, Louie Walker on lead guitar, Dan- and an instrumental funk number, “Blues for LA”.[1]
ny Williams on tenor sax and Greg Williams on baritone
sax. Through his teen years he developed his own style of
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Lester Abrams
L.A. Carnival 1980s
In 1969, Leslie Smith was drafted into the army and sta- • Lester Abrams became involved with the animated
tioned in Seoul. Abrams changed the band’s name to L.A. films: The Last Unicorn, The Hobbit, and The Return Of
Carnival (L.A. as in Lester Abrams). Vocal duties were as- The King.
sumed mainly by Arno, with Abrams singing backup from • 1982 Leslie Smith released his first album
behind the drum kit. "Heartache" (Elektra) produced by Peter Bunetta and
Under that name, they released only one single, Rick Chudacoff, which contains cover versions such
"Blind Man" b/w "Color" on Skip Wilson’s Pacific Avenue as Airplay’s "Nothin’ You Can Do About It" and Ned
label. Abrams arranged for an appearance in California Doheny’s "Love’s A Heartache" [11]
on the Johnny Otis’ show, but Rick, Ron, and Percy had • 1988 The song "Love Light", written, produced and
student deferments and couldn’t leave Omaha. ("Had we arranged by Lester Abrams, appeared on the
left school in Omaha, we would have been drafted and soundtrack to the 1988 movie "The Party".[12][13]
sent to Vietnam.”[2])
By the time their single was released, the band mem- 1990s
bers had other priorities. Leslie had returned from the • 1992 Leslie Smith releases "’LES’ IS MORE" Polydor
army and signed on for HAIR’s nationwide tour, Rick and (POCP-1271).[11]
Arno were readying to join funk-rock outfit “Crackin’”, • 1992 Lester Abrams became involved with the film
and Ron had joined a rock band called Pilot. As Rick Chu- South Central.
dacoff recalls, "L.A. Carnival quietly faded away".[2]
2000s - Resurgence of L.A. Carnival
Crackin’ • In 2002, four of the members of L.A. Carnival
Crackin’,
In the mid-70’s, Lester became involved with Crackin’ reunited in Malibu Canyon, resulting in the complete
who released 4 LPs between 1975 and 1978.[3] Lester set of L.A. Carnival / Les Smith Soul Band songs
played on three of these LPs. being re-released by Now-Again Records in 2003.[14]
• 1975 Crackin’-1 (Polydor PD6044) As part of that process, "Egon" (and friends) from
• 1977 Makings of a Dream (Warner Bros. BS2989) Now-Again Records produced a 6 minute "feature
• 1977 Crackin’ (Warner Bros. BS3123 ) film" which includes an interview with Lester, and
• 1978 Special Touch (Warner Bros. wb3235) two partial renditions of "Flyin", one of which also
Performers common to all four of the LPs were: Rick includes Les Smith.
Chudacoff (bass), Leslie Smith (vocals), Arno Lucas (vo- • Also in 2003, Abrams composed "Bring It On" as a
cals and percussion), Bob Bordy (guitars), and G.T. Clin- charity single in support of the Juvenile Diabetes
ton (keyboards). Lester Abrams (vocals & keyboards) per- Research Foundation.[15]
formed on the first three, Peter Bunetta (drums) per- • "On 30 May 2004, Abrams and Smith joined forces
formed on the last three, and Brian Ray (guitars) on the with young funkateers Connie Price and the
last two. Keystones to bring the L.A. Carnival sound back to
Rick Chudacoff and Peter Bunetta went on to produce life, with a live performance at the Independent in
many albums, among them[4][5][6] Often, Rick, Peter, Les- San Francisco".[16][17]
lie, Arno, and Bob also performed on the albums.[7] Chu- • Abrams and Smith appear on Connie Price and the
dacoff has also been referred to as "Noted Nashville hit- Keystones 2004 album "Wildflowers".[18]
maker Rick Chudacoff (The Temptations, Smokey Robin- • In 2005, Lester, along with Arno Lucas and Leslie
son, Alison Krauss)".[8] Smith, (ex-L.A. Carnival and Crackin’ members),
On 30 September 2006, a performance at the Casino were inducted into the Omaha Black Music Hall of
de Paris (in Paris) involved many of these artists.[9][10] Fame.
The Doobie Brothers
In the late-70s, Abrams moved to California and became
Compositions
involved with The Doobie Brothers 1979 Grammy award • 1967 "A Thousand Years" - performed by The
winning Minute by Minute album. He arranged "What a Fabulous Impacts
Fool Believes", which won two 1979 Grammy awards for • 1969-71: A dozen songs performed by L.A. Carnival
Record of the Year and Song of the Year. He is credit- and/or The Les Smith Soul Band: "Bad Luck", “Black
ed with piano and vocals on the album. He co-wrote the Man’s March”, "Blind Man", "Blues for LA", "Can You
"Minute by Minute" single with McDonald, and "Open Hum a Tune", "Color", “Flying”, “Pose A Question”,
Your Eyes" with McDonald and Henderson. "Scratchin’", “Seven Lonely Steps” (also titled "7
Steps to Nowhere"), “The Klan” and “We Need
Peace” (also titled "We Need Peace and Love")
2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Lester Abrams
• 1975-77: Over a dozen songs appearing on various A1. Wanna Dance (3:41) (Lester Abrams)
Crackin’ LPs, including: Wanna Dance, Fall in Line,
Starring You, Turn It Over, The Force is Watching A2. Nothin’ to Fear (4:30) (Rick Chudacoff/Leslie
You (with Michael Omartian and Leslie Orlando Orlando Smith)
Smith), Fallen Dancer, I Know You Can (with Rick
A3. Fall in Line (4:23) (Lester Abrams)
Chudacoff and L. Lovingood), Do You Need More
Time (with Arno Lucas and Leslie Orlando Smith), A4. Starring You (2:50) (Lester Abrams)
The World’s A Fool for You.
• 1979 "Minute by Minute" (with Michael McDonald) A5. Turn It Over (0:53) (Lester Abrams)
• Performed by The Doobie Brothers: Appears on
several Doobie Brothers albums, and on many, B1. Right as Rain (3:24) (David S. Andersen)
many compilation albums.
B2. What Ta Day (4:41) (Rick Chudacoff)
• Others who have recorded a performance of
"Minute by Minute include: Stanley Clarke, Larry B3. Live Life Simple (3:58)(Leslie Orlando Smith/
Carlton, Bobby Lyle, Kim Pensyl and Peabo Rick Chudacoff/Arno Lucas)
Bryson
• Larry Carlton won a Grammy in 1987 for his B4. Jump Up (3:24) (David S. Andersen)
version of the song.
• 1979 "Open Your Eyes" (with McDonald and B5. Get Crackin’ (1:37) (Lester Abrams/Bob Bordy/
Henderson) - performed by The Doobie Brothers, and Rick Chudacoff/George Clinton/Lou Gordon/Arno
also by Maria Muldaur Lucas/Leslie Orlando Smith)
• 1986 "You Want It Your Way, Always" (with Sandee •
Burnett) - performed by Fizzy Qwick
• 1988 "Love Light" Format: LP
• 2003 "Bring It On"
Released: 1977
Discography Label: Warner Bros.
Catalog No: BS2989
1967 The Fabulous Impacts •
Two 45s
• “A Thousand Years” b/w “Cry Cry” Format: LP.[20]
• “Get Out Of My Life Woman” backed with “Tell Me”
Released: 1977
1969 The Les Smith Soul Band Label: Warner Brothers
The band cut three tracks
• “Blind Man” Catalog No: BS 3123
• “Bad Luck”
• “Blues for LA”. Playing Time: 35:23
A1. It Just Takes Awhile (3:29) (Rick Chudacoff/
1971 L.A. Carnival Arno Lucas)
One single: "Blind Man" b/w "Color" on Skip Wilson’s Pa-
cific Avenue label. A2. The Force is Watching You (4:32) (Lester
Abrams/Michael Omartian/Leslie Orlando Smith)
1975-1978 Crackin’
• A3. Fallen Dancer (3:55) (Lester Abrams)
Format: LP.[19] A4. I Know You Can (3:00) (Rick Chudacoff/Lester
Abrams/L. Lovingood)
Released: 1975
A5. Do You Need More Time (3:37) (Arno Lucas/
Label: Polydor
Lester Abrams/Leslie Orlando Smith)
Catalog No: PD 6044
B1. Don’t You Wish You Could Be There (4:46) (Rick
Playing Time: 33:21 Chudacoff/Arno Lucas/Leslie Orlando Smith)
3
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Lester Abrams
B2. You Know Where I Am (3:50) (Arno Lucas/ B1. (We’d Like To) Pose a Question
Michael Omartian/Leslie Orlando Smith)
B2. Seven Steps to Nowhere
B3. The World’s A Fool for You (4:24)(Lester
Abrams) B3. Blind Man
B4. You’ll Feel Better (3:50) (Rick Chudacoff/Arno C1. Can You Hum a Tune?
Lucas/Peter Bunetta)
C2. Color
•
C3. The Klan
Format: LP
D1. Black Man’s March
Released: 1978
D2. Ron’s Tune
Label: Warner Brothers
CD tracklist:
Catalog No: BS 3235
1. Flyin’ 4:48
2. We Need Peace and Love 4:03
2003 L.A. Carnival / Les Smith Soul Band 3. (We’d Like To) Pose a Question 3:22
re-releases 4. 7 Steps to Nowhere 4:57
In 2003, the complete set of L.A. Carnival / Les Smith Soul 5. Blind Man 2:59
Band songs, all written by Abrams, were re-released by 6. Can You Hum a Tune 2:00
Now-Again Records.[14] 7. Color 2:30
• 8. The Klan 7:42
NA7003 / STH7024 - 7" single - 2003 - Produced by 9. Black Man’s March 3:14
Scott Abrams 10. Ron’s Tune 4:34
11. Scratchin’ [Live] 5:41
1. Color 12. Ron’s Tune [Alternate Take - Live] 6:34
13. Bad Luck [Live] 3:06
2. Blind Man
14. Blues for L.A. [Live] 2:49
•
NA2003 / STH2053 - 12" single - 2003 - Produced by Filmography Credits
Lester Abrams
• 1982 The Last Unicorn - Character design
A1. Blind Man (vocal) • 1988 The Party[12][13] - Song ("Love Light")
• 1992 South Central - Songs
A2. Blind Man (instrumental) • 1992 South Central - Song Performer ("Love Light"
"Drink the Water")
A3. Blind Man (acapella) • 2005 The 40-Year-Old Virgin - Song ("Minute by
Minute")
B1. Blind Man (Cut Chemist remix)
B2. Blind Man (original version) References
•
[1] ^ (2003) L.A. Carnival. StonesThrow.com. Retrieved
NA7011 - 7" single - 2003 - Produced by Lester 29 May 2007.
Abrams [2] ^ (2003) Interview with Rick Chudacoff. Retrieved
29 May 2007.
1. Pose a Question [3] (nd) Crackin’ Retrieved 29 May 2007.
[4] (nd) Chudacoff and Bunetta productions. Retrieved
2. Can You Hum a Tune? 29 May 2007.
• [5] Bunetta productions listed in Wikipedia
[6] Chudacoff productions listed in Wikipedia
NA5009 - 2LP/CD - 2003 - Produced by Lester
[7] (nd) Robbie Dupree albums Robbie Dupree (1980)
Abrams
and Street Corner Heroes (1981). Retrieved 29 May
A1. Flyin’ 2007.
[8] (nd) Nashville Retrieved 29 May 2007.
A2. We Need Peace and Love
4
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Lester Abrams
[9] (2006) Casino de Paris Poster. Retrieved 29 May [20] (nd) Discography Crackin’. Retrieved 1 June 2007.
2007.
[10] (2006) Performing at Casino de Paris. Retrieved 29
May 2007.
External links
[11] ^ (nd) Leslie Smith. Retrieved 29 May 2007. • Lester Abrams website.
[12] ^ Not to be confused with the 1968 Peter Sellers Persondata
film The Party Name Abrams, Lester
[13] ^ (nd) The Party soundtrack. Retrieved 1st June
2007. Alternative names
[14] ^ (2003) L.A. Carnival re-releases Short description
StonesThrow.Com. Retrieved 29 May 2007. Date of birth 1945
[15] (2003) Bring It On website. Retrieved 29 May 07.
Place of birth
[16] (2004) San Francisco Bay Guardian Gig Guide for
week 26 May 2004. Retrieved 2 June 2007. Date of death
[17] (2004) The Giant Peach. Retrieved 2 June 2007 Place of death
[18] (2004) Wildflowers. Retrieved 2 June 2007.
[19] (nd) Discography Crackin’-1. Retrieved 1 June 2007.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lester_Abrams&oldid=440955440"
Categories:
• Musicians from Omaha, Nebraska
• American funk musicians
• 1945 births
• Living people
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