Meet Leo Goff!

IotaNet · #1 08-31-2006, 07:24 AM

About Leo -- in his own words ...

"In the beginning ... I got my first Bass, at age 13. It was a Kay hollow body, in the winter of 1962; along with a Mel Bay "Learn how to play the Bass" book. After about three enthusiastic months of studying the book and practice, I was able to pound out a few simple songs. I had not received any formal lessons, (which I probably should have done) but studied some books on Bass, and listened to records.

I wasn't old enough to get to many places where live music was being played, but by the time I was 15, I was playing with a group, and other groups in the Memphis area were forming, and places to perform were springing up all over town. This gave me the opportunity to hear other bassists, many of whom were much more experienced than I was at the time. This was exciting to me, as I could watch, and hear, what was being played.

Most of the older players were friendly and helpful, and would show me things and answer questions when I had the chance to speak with them. Often, if I would hang out at the music store long enough, I was able to learn a lot by just listening and watching the more experienced players.

As things progressed, and I continued to play with more groups and I’ve been gigging in the Memphis area since 1963.

I was the bassman for these Memphis bands:
* The Boogie Children
* Sound Project
* Castlemen (later known as Village Sound)
* The Jynx
* The Memphis Charms
* The Soul Syndicate
* Nightshade
* L.H. White & Ain't No Tellin'
* The Rapids
* New World
* Heatwave
... and probably some more I can't recall

I’m currently working with Bobby Lawson & Smokehouse, The Blues Healers, The Skydogs, Ms. Zeno,"The Louisana Mojo Queen", Victor Wainwright, and Johnny Holiday. I also have, or currently work with: Paul Wood, Jackie Johnson, Ronnie Milsap, Blind Mississippi Morris, Don McMinn, Maria Spence, Jeff Beck, Dennis Edwards, Phillip Dale Durham, Buddy Miles, Dan Penn, Guy Venable Jr., Eric Hughes & The Memphis Blues Society Band, The Coasters, Jerry Lee Lewis, and the John Weston Blues Band. My work can be heard on various Memphis produced albums/CD's.

Those who have influenced me are:
* James Jamerson
* Duck Dunn
* John Entwistle
* Tommy Cogbill
* Ray Sanders

As I mentioned previously, Memphis produced a lot of great musicians, especially Bass Players.

Some of the bass players that I feel have made a mark on the Memphis music scene are:
Tommy Cathey, Tommy Cogbill, brothers Bill and B.B.Cunningham, Duck Dunn, Zack Farley, Joe Gaston, Jim Johnson, Mike Leech,Wayne Russell,Ray Sanders, Dave Smith, Steve Spear, Mike Stoker, Guy Venable, just to name a few.

I always tried to learn and benefit from the interactions and playing styles of the many talented musicians I have had the good fortune to play and gig with. Memphis has produced some mighty fine musicians and groups, and I feel fortunate to have been associated, and continue to be working, with them."

Kenny Allyn · #2 09-14-2006, 06:16 AM

I'll toss in LeRoy Hodges ... from over at Hi records.

And even though he is originally from Milwalkee ... Tom "Slim" Louis he is currently touring with Harmonica Red.

... Gotta LOVE that Memphis Thang.

Leogoff · #3 09-18-2006, 09:03 PM

You know Kenny....There are really a lot of top notch players around here...Leroy is definitely on the list. I catch him at BB's on Sat. afternoons occasionally. I've done some work with his drummer, Greg. A very solid drummer. Slim is a great bassist also, and I enjoy your style as well. I thought your new CD that you sneak previewed to me at Bike Nite sounded great.
Have you jumped on that Barker we talked about? You would be a natural on a Barker....Go for it! Leo

Juniorkimbrough · #4 10-09-2007, 11:59 AM

Nice to see the Memphis love!

Leogoff · #5 10-09-2007, 08:46 PM

Thanks for the post. The streets around here, as you probably know, have been kinda' rough lately. We need a "whole lotta' love"
We can only hope it gets better. Thanks again for the post, Leo

Juniorkimbrough · #6 10-10-2007, 09:13 AM

yes Leo, I know all too well. I don't live in Memphis but I commute there from north MS to play almost every weekend. The recent mayor election was a sad day for Memphis. It's sad to see so many senseless murders yet a mayor get re-elected who has an attitude that he cannot solve the crime problem.

Leogoff · #7 10-10-2007, 08:15 PM

It's sure not the city I grew up in. So much for depressing subjects....so....where have you been gigging, and who with? Leo

Juniorkimbrough · #8 10-17-2007, 05:28 PM

My main gig is with a band called Dova Grove. Used to be a six piece up until a week or two ago (keys players wife is having a baby/ too much travelling for the sax player so he decided to take a break).

We play the usual places around midtown and downtown (Blue Monkey, Newby's, Brookhaven Pub, Flying Saucer,).....just played the Memphis Heritage Festival a few weeks ago, played in Hot Springs last weekend and are going over to play in Little Rock this weekend.

How about yourself? Would love to come out and see some more memphis TB'ers play.......kenny is really the only tber i've met.

Leogoff · #9 11-04-2007, 08:31 PM

Sorry for long delay. I'm usually working the clubs on Beale St.....
Rum Boogie, Wet Willies, occasionally BB Kings, The Pig, or Club Superior. I usually work with Victor Wainwright, Johnny Holiday, Eric Hughes, Guy Jr. Venable, Phillip Dale Durham, Lyn Jones, Crash Kole, Ms. Zeno, and several others.

I'm usually at the Memphis Blues Society Jam, at Neils, the first and third Thursdays. Come by and jam with everybody. It's a lot of fun.

Hope to run into you sometime, so be sure to say hello...Leo

Kenny Allyn · #10 04-04-2008, 10:41 AM

WOW thanks for the speaker review!

For those who have never seen, heard, or met Leo ... if your in Memphis it's something you need to do.
Not only is he a great player but that Barker Bass is amazing

... He has a cool website too ... www.leogoff.net

Leogoff · #11 04-09-2008, 06:30 AM

Thanks for the kind comments and the great picture!

I think you've got a real winner with your speakers. I know they certainty delivered a great performance during the last Blues Jam, not only with me, but with everyone else who used them during the jam. I had a lot of great comments that night. They sure made my Barker shine!

Thanks for showcasing them with us, and I can't wait to hear and use the newest ones you told me about.

Thanks, and I'm sure you will have much success! Leo

Lee Barker · #12 07-23-2008, 10:39 AM

Hey Leo--

I just saw this YouTube--Victor Wainwright! How cool!

The bass sounds incredible in your hands.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=h97yA9-10Mc

Kindly,

Lee

Leogoff · #13 07-24-2008, 05:46 AM

Thanks for the comment. This was done at our show during the 2007 W.C. Handy Blues Festival in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. They recorded the entire show... but so far, this is the only segment they have posted to YouTube. As you can see, the sync between the audio and video is dreadfully out...maybe they will go back and correct it. Anyway, I hope everyone enjoys Victor....he is an amazing talent. Leo

JKT · #14 07-24-2008, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee Barker

Hey Leo--

I just saw this YouTube--Victor Wainwright! How cool!

The bass sounds incredible in your hands.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=h97yA9-10Mc

Kindly,

Lee

Ditto. What bass rig Leo?

Joel

Leogoff · #15 07-25-2008, 06:38 AM

The amp I was using on the video is a Mesa Boogie Walkabout Scout. It's a combo amp, 300 watts, into a 15" and a passive 10".
Here's the link: http://www.mesaboogie.com/Product_In.../WalkScout.htm

I've had it about 2 years now, and it's a great amp for venues where the house takes you D.I. into the mains. It has plenty of power for a good stage presence, and it is easy to handle and transport. On large outdoor stages, such as festivals and large venue shows, it probably would be overworked...but it is a great amp for club gigs, and most indoor work. It has a 3-Band Semi Parametric EQ that provides 15db of cut or boost from 30Hz
to 12K Hz. I usually use that to roll off some specific frequencies, depending upon the venue.

Thanks for your comment and interest.

All the best, Leo

Lee Barker · #16 01-16-2009, 10:05 AM

Leo, I found that link to the Victor Wainwright-Reba Russell clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2VVl0lJ-CA

You're right, she's incredible, and he's at the top of his game for sure.

But the high point is in part two, the guitar solo. That's transcendent. And I forgot the young man's name!

Anyway, thanks for the tip. I have listened twice so far....

Lee Barker · #17 11-26-2009, 08:53 AM

Nice pictures of Leo and words about his playing and the Eric Hughes band in this blog--scroll down a bit to the visit to Clarksville...

http://chicagobluesmusicnews.blogspo...1_archive.html