CONCERT REPORTS: Glace Bay, NS (May 20 and 21)

Canada and Europe (May 11 - August 3, 2008). Concert reports, set lists, photos, media coverage, multimedia links, recollections...
cheapwino
Posts: 11
Joined: Sat May 24, 2008 5:16 am

Re: Two concerts in Glace Bay, Cape Breton (May 20 and 21)

Post by cheapwino »

I just looked at the ticket prices for the Toronto shows and Ticketmaster wants $250 apiece
for seats in the front area. In Sydney they were $100 or so. There you go.

I wondered why Cohen came to the Maritimes, and the thought of a 'warm-up' did cross my mind.
Maybe he wanted to start small for whatever reasons. Who knows. We're just lucky he did.
Claw at your heart
Posts: 34
Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2008 7:02 pm

Re: Two concerts in Glace Bay, Cape Breton (May 20 and 21)

Post by Claw at your heart »

I may be hopelessly naive, but I think part of the reason Cohen came to the Atlantic Provinces was genuine generosity. He started with two shows in Halifax which sold out immediately. Then he added three more. I like to think that he played here as much as he did because he knew fans wanted to see him. Of course there's always the money...But he made a real effort to get to St. John's. He could have easily eliminated that leg of the trip.
cheapwino
Posts: 11
Joined: Sat May 24, 2008 5:16 am

Re: Two concerts in Glace Bay, Cape Breton (May 20 and 21)

Post by cheapwino »

Perhaps Mr. Cohen, being the age he is, felt a little out of the loop. Perhaps he doubted
there'd be many people who'd still want to see him. Maybe he needed a small pre-tour
to test his confidence.

Or maybe his management wanted to ensure a good buzz was created. It would be guaranteed
that appreciative media in the Maritimes would write (justifiably) glowing reviews, building
excitement for the big shows.

Or maybe he has some kind of connection to the Buddhist community in Halifax (Boy, I can't count the
number of times I've walked by their temple on Tower Road since 1986)?

Or maybe it was genuine generosity. Has Mr. Cohen ever played Atlantic Canada before? If not, maybe he
felt a little guilt for ignoring us all these decades?

Yeah, St.John's could have easily been deleted from the agenda. I wonder if his Cohens are related
to the Newfoundland Cohens (Cohen's Furniture.....both families are/were prominent retailers)?

If it was just a warm up, I'm glad to have been Mr. Cohen's dress rehearsal rag, for he wore me well.
cheapwino
Posts: 11
Joined: Sat May 24, 2008 5:16 am

Re: Two concerts in Glace Bay, Cape Breton (May 20 and 21)

Post by cheapwino »

I remember the first time I bought a Leonard Cohen recording.
Kelly's, Barrington Street, Halifax, 1988.
Halifax was a smaller city then.
There was a prominent red-haired bohemian girl who stood out easily from the
80's yuppie crowds.
She was quite attractive, and our eyes met often as we passed on the streets.
Never met, though.
So I see this video, "First We Take Manhatten", on Znaimer's Muchmusic, and think,
"F***, this is cool!"
So I learn it's some 50-something year old guy. "WTF?!!?"
So I dip into my cigarette and booze money, and take a chance on this Cohen guy.
I go to Kelly's Music World.
The whole store is decorated with shiny CDs hanging from strings (the new wave, so they say)
I select the tape, for I cannot afford one of these newfangled CD players.
I bring the selected tape to the cashier.
Aforementioned bohemian girl is working cash.
I give her the cash.
She gives me the change.
But as she gives me the change, she grabs my hand, and keeps ahold of it, for
about 30 seconds.
Terribly shy (yet utterly handsome.....ahhh, those were the days), I leave
Kelly's stunned, and somewhat sexually aroused (erections came easily then).

The end of that story.
cheapwino
Posts: 11
Joined: Sat May 24, 2008 5:16 am

Re: Two concerts in Glace Bay, Cape Breton (May 20 and 21)

Post by cheapwino »

After "I'm Your Man", I became intrigued.
I bought some old records
from "Taz Records"
(The owner of Taz recently
killed himself).
I had an old record player.
Scratchy business.

Pre-"I'm Your Man" Leonard Cohen
is not enjoyed unless
it scratches and pops.

I went to Taz last Saturday.
They still sell vinyl records, lots of them.
The Leonard Cohen file was empty.

I was a little drunk by then.
I said, 'Hey, you're all out of Cohen!"
He said, "Yeah, it sells out quick!"

I told him, a little slurrily,
"I'm looking for scratchy old Cohen records.
I prefer Cohen scratched."

He scratched his bald head.

(I've heard about the new Taz,
and I can't say I like the news;
I didn't know Bob, but I experienced Bob.
I didn't like Bob, but Taz was Bob
and Bob was Taz)

Goodbye.
cheapwino
Posts: 11
Joined: Sat May 24, 2008 5:16 am

Re: Two concerts in Glace Bay, Cape Breton (May 20 and 21)

Post by cheapwino »

I'm troubled.

Should I post footage on Youtube or not?
It's not like it's great stuff, technically.
(All Cohen is great, technically or not).

On one hand, it's copyright infringement.
Infringement of the highest kind.
Infringement of the only artist left whom I admire.
(well actually, there's one or two more left,
like a post-punk bank called Magazine)

On the other hand, any posted footage will
promote and encourage purchase of
the upcoming 2008 tour DVD
(which I will be buying!!!!!)

So, should I post a Youtube link or two?

What would the Great Man think?
danceme1000times
Posts: 20
Joined: Mon Dec 22, 2008 9:04 pm

Re: Glace Bay, Cape Breton (May 20 and 21)

Post by danceme1000times »

(I know its great lighting but still.....) All that hassle of registering just to say "I get you mnkyface!" !!!!
Post Reply

Return to “The Summer Tour 2008”