CONCERT REPORT: Big Chill (August 3)

Canada and Europe (May 11 - August 3, 2008). Concert reports, set lists, photos, media coverage, multimedia links, recollections...
OliverC
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Joined: Mon Aug 04, 2008 7:41 pm

Re: Big Chill (Aug 3)

Post by OliverC »

I haven't posted on here before, and I hadn't seen Leonard before Sunday evening. I am still pretty emotional from the evening, and just wanted to share my gratitude with others for what was possibly one of the most moving concerts I have ever been to. Being a fan for a long time, I was slightly nervous (I am a massive Dylan fan, and have seen him twice in the last five years, and was severely underwhelmed on both occasions...) and thought that perhaps the experience would be a let down.

Without going on too much - I don't think I have ever been in the presence of a performer who has struck such a chord with me personally. What impressed me so much was his humility and warmth. His total lack of arrogance and his genuine heartfelt appreciation for the opportunity he has to share his gift as a poet, prophet and singer. So thank you!

I would also like to say thank you to the girl I was with that evening - I don't think I will ever see her again, but you never know. She was called Bella, and as he played we danced together, I tried to recite "As the mist leaves no scar" to her (and pretty much failed), and we shared a very magical hour or so together. Anyway, if you a reading Bella, thanks to you too...I wish we hadn't separated at the end, but it was a privilege sharing the time with you too.

Thanks,
Oliver
themetapoet
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Re: Big Chill (Aug 3)

Post by themetapoet »

Hi all! I saw LC at the Big Chill and was totally blown away. I never thought it would be as great as it was... in fact I'm not ashamed to admit I cried all the way through. Anyway I got inspired afterwards and wrote the below, so I hope you enjoy my Cohen pastiche (not as good as the man himself though, sigh!):

Give me your lighter baby
I don’t want you to give me head
I’d rather that you gave me
Something fierier in bed

The locket of an angel
Who fought the scions of hell
Whose gold is gently glowing
With sins of ne’er-do-wells

The fall-out from a falling star
Ten billion years away
It’ll be dead when it reaches me
But not as dead as the day

I don’t want your lukewarm loving
Your Sunday morning best
Give me your lighter baby
The flames will do the rest

Give me your lighter baby
Don’t give me of yourself
I’d rather I had something
I could put up on a shelf

Something I can return to
When the bed is cold and dry
A clipping from your toenail
An amber-prisoned fly

The last forgotten seashell
We collected from the beach
These little bits of nothing
Are always within reach

So when you up and leave me
To raise kids on that farm
Give me your lighter baby
And let it keep me warm
paddieu
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Re: Big Chill (Aug 3)

Post by paddieu »

What lovely reviews :)

And very very well done to routeoz - who would give up part of their
precious time with Leonard to make something for others to enjoy :shock:
commonweal
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Re: Big Chill (Aug 3)

Post by commonweal »

The answers to my questions at the top of this topic, in case anyone is wondering, are no no no. No Martha Wainwright did not sing The Traitor; no Beth Orton did not sing Sisters of Mercy and as you all know Leonard did not sing Famous Blue Raincoat at the Big Chill. Nonetheless, it was an immense weekend.

I am still coming down and remain too exhausted to write anything much coherent by way of review. Save to say that I was there all weekend, felt for much of it that "these are not my people and I should not have come here" (M Wainwright), spent a day in the sun drinking absurd amounts of overpriced beer and loving it, stood for hours at the front on the Sunday so that I would be perfectly placed for Leonard's set, thoroughly enjoyed The Imagined Village who were on a couple of hours before Leonard, less than thoroughly enjoyed but was intrigued by Camille who was on next, and then spent two hours shaking with emotion as I first waited for Leonard and then listened to and occasionally sang with Leonard for what was a chillingly big set.

It was my third show of the tour. Manchester OH was like having him play in my front room, only with a better sound system than I could ever afford and a rule of silence that actually is about as unlike my front room as can be imagined. Edinburgh was apparently a great gig but from where I was sitting/crouching it felt like somebody else's concert, except for when I closed my eyes. The Big Chill was just a slice of magic. There was singing when I wanted there to be singing. There was reverence when I wanted that. There was respect (mutual - Leonard to band to Leonard to crowd to Leonard to band) throughout. And I was no more than ten yards from the great man. And 20,000 people came along to watch him singing to me, which was nice of them, I thought.

Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye stole the show, in my view. Yes, I cried.
Robin
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Re: Big Chill (Aug 3)

Post by Robin »

I was at the front too, and recorded the show. It came out well. You have to be a member of Dimeadozen to access the Bit Torrent. Just keep trying - memberships become available for the dedicated.
pegasus4
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Location: England

Re: Big Chill (Aug 3)

Post by pegasus4 »

Thanks to Tom for the UTube postings.Just confirms my feeling there was a different atmosphere down the front than around the middle where the distractions were many.Just wished we'd been nearer.

Ziyad writes
'Interestingly, my partner commented that Leonard seemed to be much more tired than at the O2, and she could hear it in his voice and she felt in some songs - the tune, the singing and the Lenny's timing were not quite as together at TBC. I kinda know what she meant, but I'm not really sure.'

I have to agree with his partner,certainly compared with Amsterdam where the performance will live in my memory as as perfect as it gets. At TBC the sound balance for Javier and Sharon and the Webb sisters was not good to begin with.Only after Who by Fire did it get better.Leonard and the Band did miss a few beats and yes I felt there was a tiredness there. Not surprising when you think of the number and quality of the performances on the tour so far .All this is small change of course because the performance was still wonderful .Thank you again Mr Cohen.
scorp
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Re: Big Chill (Aug 3)

Post by scorp »

re the below, Hallelujah from the chill is also up:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeBMrXUB9mI

NB, I'm Your Man will be up when paddieu's clip arrrives :-)

Tom Sakic wrote:Anthem from the Big Chill: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XX5Tpv9P9s - Last song on the 2008 Summer Tour...

also
Tower of Song - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-5ofmcvBJA&
Dance Me to the End of Love - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-1OnDV3BdM
Ain't No Cure For Love - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmC2P7tk0So
Bird on the Wire - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfSRXzFRsyI&
Who By Fire - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvUol7d9kXw
So Long, Marianne - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEfVauADEVU - with audience, and heart-breaking
Closing Time - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNW4jFsJP_4

All videos by routeoz. I must say these are among best videos from this tour.
Diane

Re: Big Chill (Aug 3)

Post by Diane »

I just watched many times over your Hallelujah and Marianne videos, Scorp. I'm right back there. I don't watch many youtube vids of concerts I have been to, but you have the knack, and thank you very much!!! Anthem will be next.

Robin, I would love a copy of your recording. If anyone could supply me Robin's recording on disc, I would be very grateful, and would happily copy for others.
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Neophyte
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Re: Big Chill (Aug 3)

Post by Neophyte »

Very cool poem, themetapoet!!
Hallelujah!!!
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howthelightgetsin
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Re: Big Chill (Aug 3)

Post by howthelightgetsin »

Here are some of my pics on my flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/takenby1
and
http://www.myspace.com/takenbyaymi
I may put on more soon... the ones on there are my favourites.

I'm a music photographer and did everything I could to get a pass for this weekend to see Leonard. I dreamt about blagging it backstage and printed off my favourite lyrics of his - then after packing them felt sure I jinxed meeting him. My first time putting up a tent and camping alone too(couldn't get a +1) I'm glad I did it despite being anxious, I met lots of nice people and had random chats with them all weekend and this may not have happened if I wasn't on my own.

On the Saturday someone pulled off my photographer's pass as I squeezed through the Mighty Boosh crowd - I was heartbroken - what if I now couldn't get into the pit and take some of Leoanrd :( The press people had no more and none on the Sunday then they gave me a diff pass - turned out it got me backstage... another photographer said... 'you wanna meet him go back there' well I did...

I was nervous - saw he was in a blue and white marquee and asked if any chance of meeting him and told no - so walked over to grass bit and had a cig and tried to look relaxed... then noticed the cabin next to me said 'LC Dressing Room' and then he was there with 2 guys and I shook his hand, he signed my lyrics - I was shaking(so annoying and embarrassing when trying to act cool) so made a joke of it and said 'god im shaking how annoying@ and he said 'dont shake sweetheart' and smiled then chatted to me about being a Virgo(as I am too) and other things like the tour and buddhism. I'll never forget it . Thanks to whoever nicked my photo pass on the Sat - fate meant I got in. I'm still in shock now when I think about it all, but so happy too :) After that a girl called Sunny I met in the photo area, had travelled all the way from New Orleans to see him and so I swapped passes with her and she met him too and got a photo(I should have but was shaking so much and my camera was heavy I thought I'd drop it! lol! Anyone else I wouldn't mind but hes an idol of mine - I wish I'd got a portrait shot damn!) and he signed her notebook too. I like to write songs and sing as well as taking photos and I have now decided to keep my pen he used only for songwriting :)

Thanks Leonard for being such a gentleman and a pleasure to meet. Your music is a beautiful gift.

I enjoyed the 17th July O2 gig and TBC gig in different ways not because of meeting him but the sound was great at the O2 but the atmosphere was electric at TBC during 'So Long Marianne' and 'Hallelujah'

Just bought my O2 14th Nov ticket and can't wait! That'll be twice at the O2 and Big Chill. :)

Here is a pic of the autograph http://www.flickr.com/photos/takenby2/2743408631/
Last edited by howthelightgetsin on Tue Nov 18, 2008 6:46 pm, edited 4 times in total.
Aymi Derham photography - http://www.flickr.com/takenby1
scorp
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Re: Big Chill (Aug 3)

Post by scorp »

Diane wrote:I just watched many times over your Hallelujah and Marianne videos, Scorp. I'm right back there. I don't watch many youtube vids of concerts I have been to, but you have the knack, and thank you very much!!! Anthem will be next.

Robin, I would love a copy of your recording. If anyone could supply me Robin's recording on disc, I would be very grateful, and would happily copy for others.
Thanks but shooting conditions were pretty dire; i could hardly move, enthusiastic fans kept accidentally nudging me :-), i had a raging thirst and was boiling hot with too many warm clothes on, i wasn't happy with my lack of great zoom, my blood sugar level had plummeted [hence the shakes at times] ... a guy to my right was off his head on a multiple dose of ecstasy or something and kept lighting cigarettes (i was concerned he'd set me alight)- but the electrifying atmosphere and history of the occasion, and the state of bliss that some people were in (look at the two women in Tower Of Song [you can't miss them] took over and were real sustenance. ah, to be there again would be pure bliss!!

ps, 'Minute Prologue' is a little known Cohen number that you might like. Here it is...i shot it at home a couple of weeks back, from a record deck. v atmpospheric number...live in london 1972.
Diane

Re: Big Chill (Aug 3)

Post by Diane »

A very kind Liverpudlian is going to furnish me with Robin's tape. If anyone else doesn't know a bit torrent from a donkey's elbow and would like a copy, pm me.

I didn't realise the extent of the heroic efforts, Scorp. I see you did Glastonbury, too. It is quite self-sacrificing, taping everything for others to enjoy. I think you should go to one of the autumn gigs sans camera, treat yourself. It was, yes, blissful, and thrilling, to be part of that crowd. The memory of it for me of this Tour is second only to the Sunday night in Dublin, which was perfect in every way. You forgot to add the link for The Minute Prologue :) .

Thanks for your pix howthelightgetsin. I was just admiring all the pix on your site. I'd love to see any pix of Leonard you convert to black and white, as b/w almost always strikes me far more than colour. What a fantastic job you have. I enjoy photography (landscape mostly), but I have failed miserably to get a decent pic of Leonard on this Tour. I took this one when he came along to a fan meeting prior to Philip Glass' Book of Longing performance at the Barbican last year: http://www.leonardcohenfiles.com/diane2007.html

Great story about your meeting of the Man, that almost didn't happen.
he said 'dont shake sweetheart' and smiled then chatted to me about being a Virgo(as I am too) and other things like the tour and buddhism. I'll never forget it.
Wow. (If I were you I think my forum name would have been don'tshakesweetheart.) In person he is, yes, as humble and gracious as you might expect.

Thanks for all the reviews and anecdotes in this thread. Pity you weren't at the front, Pegasus, but you were There. Looks like I am outvoted regarding Camille. I was glad to see the back of her (pun not intended), but now that she is forever associated with that LC performance in my mind, I guess I can just let it go by 8) .

I didn't notice if Leonard was tired, apart from maybe the fact he was not grinning and beaming as much as he was earlier in the Tour. If anyone was into holding banners, a nice one for last Sunday would have said:

"Oh love, aren't you tired yet?"
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howthelightgetsin
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Re: Big Chill (Aug 3)

Post by howthelightgetsin »

Hi there Diane :) Yep maybe I should change my login name to 'don'tshakesweetheart' lol!

I like you prefer black and white, as those were taken for a photo agency they had to be colour. I did however convert some to B&W for printing(to put in my frame with autograph) I might add them to my 2nd Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/takenby2 over the weekend(I use the 1st one mostly as a portfolio) Music photography is ok, its a challenge. The challenge I enjoy but financially its not too stable but the highs like meeting Leonard(not really bothered about other stars myself) is well worth it all!

One of the things I said at first was 'you must be tired' as it was the end of the tour, it wasn't aimed at his age really as I'm 27 and think it must be tiring to be on the move everyday for a few months. He said 'no' he wasn't tired to me.
Aymi Derham photography - http://www.flickr.com/takenby1
scorp
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Re: Big Chill (Aug 3)

Post by scorp »

Diane wrote:A very kind Liverpudlian is going to furnish me with Robin's tape. If anyone else doesn't know a bit torrent from a donkey's elbow and would like a copy, pm me.

I didn't realise the extent of the heroic efforts, Scorp. I see you did Glastonbury, too. It is quite self-sacrificing, taping everything for others to enjoy. I think you should go to one of the autumn gigs sans camera, treat yourself. It was, yes, blissful, and thrilling, to be part of that crowd. The memory of it for me of this Tour is second only to the Sunday night in Dublin, which was perfect in every way. You forgot to add the link for The Minute Prologue :) .

(snip)

"Oh love, aren't you tired yet?"
Hi Diane...

Here is Minute Prologue, followed by a part of Passing Thru, both London 1972 (live): recorded here off a vinyl album:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iok0KYUZf7c

And here is a LC at the Isle of Wight 1970, also recorded off a vinyl album:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOUi-KXd3Mw

i will be at brighton sans camera...and so i should be. filming not really allowed, strictLy speaking...anywhere, but i presume it's acknowledged that the youtubers, bit torrenters etc raise the profile and help sell tickets.
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howthelightgetsin
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Re: Big Chill (Aug 3)

Post by howthelightgetsin »

Sorry forgot to say Diane thats a lovely b&w pic from the meeting you took :)

Nearly a week on, you feel like a kid after Christmas - all that waiting and its come and gone so quick. Bring on November :)
Aymi Derham photography - http://www.flickr.com/takenby1
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