Montreal Leonard Cohen Memorial Commemorative Box Set
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Re: Montreal Leonard Cohen Memorial Commemorative Box Set
To clarify, me not being able to afford it is not me complaining about the price. C'est La Vie. It's just how it goes...
2009 Dublin 2010 Lissadell Katowice LV x2 2012 Ghent x2 Dublin x4 Montreal x2 Toronto x2 2013 New York x2 Brussels Dublin x2
Gwen's Leonard Cohen Journey: http://myleonardcohenjourney.wordpress.com/
"I did my best, it wasn't much"
Gwen's Leonard Cohen Journey: http://myleonardcohenjourney.wordpress.com/
"I did my best, it wasn't much"
Re: Montreal Leonard Cohen Memorial Commemorative Box Set
A lot of hype and build-up for this and honestly, it feels like a letdown. An expensive vanity collector's box with no new creations.
Re: Montreal Leonard Cohen Memorial Commemorative Box Set
Many decades ago, someone would have written: caveat emptor.
However, for the sake of completeness and because the money seems to go to a good cause, I'll order this funny box…
Peter
However, for the sake of completeness and because the money seems to go to a good cause, I'll order this funny box…
Peter
Re: Montreal Leonard Cohen Memorial Commemorative Box Set
If I had not been in Montreal for the tribute, would I also say the grapes are sour? Who knows? But what 4 said was true. The Tower of Song Tribute was very moving. Not to mention the experience of being in Montreal and the few precious moments when I stood at the foot of that grave on the hill. I had never been in Leonard's presence before, not even at a concert. In fact, he was already gone before I even had a chance to know about him. Looking at that stone was the first time during my year of discovery that I was able to truly believe that he was real, that he had been here. That he was a man. I will never forget that moment.
I know I will go back to walk the streets of Montreal again and stand again on that hill. I would have been there this summer if it were not for the pandemic. Yes, because of Leonard, I have spent countless dollars on airfare, CDs, books, and other memorabilia. I have traveled halfway around the world to Hydra and met people I would have not known otherwise. But most of all, I have gained a deeper meaning to my life from all of his blackened pages and all of his music and all that he poured into his own life.
How would Leonard feel about this boxed set? Nobody knows or ever will. He was only a man though, and maybe he would have been a little flattered (quickly discouraged by his soul), and a little grateful (quickly encouraged by his heart). Grateful not just for the obvious tribute to his hard work, but also grateful for the opportunity to encourage other Canadian artists, something sorely needed during this pandemic. Would he be sad to know that some of us are disappointed by this? Probably. As for me, I am buying the set. Is it expensive? Well yes it is. Is it just an expensive souvenir of Montreal? No doubt an argument could be made for that as well. Will I be transported back to how I felt for that one moment at the foot of that grave on the hill? Maybe.
But even if it doesn't do that, I know someday there will be nothing else left to wait for. Indeed, Leonard has already given all that he can give. If this small tribute brings pleasure to some of us and helps others out, I don't think he would mind so very much about our funny little box.
Vickie
I know I will go back to walk the streets of Montreal again and stand again on that hill. I would have been there this summer if it were not for the pandemic. Yes, because of Leonard, I have spent countless dollars on airfare, CDs, books, and other memorabilia. I have traveled halfway around the world to Hydra and met people I would have not known otherwise. But most of all, I have gained a deeper meaning to my life from all of his blackened pages and all of his music and all that he poured into his own life.
How would Leonard feel about this boxed set? Nobody knows or ever will. He was only a man though, and maybe he would have been a little flattered (quickly discouraged by his soul), and a little grateful (quickly encouraged by his heart). Grateful not just for the obvious tribute to his hard work, but also grateful for the opportunity to encourage other Canadian artists, something sorely needed during this pandemic. Would he be sad to know that some of us are disappointed by this? Probably. As for me, I am buying the set. Is it expensive? Well yes it is. Is it just an expensive souvenir of Montreal? No doubt an argument could be made for that as well. Will I be transported back to how I felt for that one moment at the foot of that grave on the hill? Maybe.
But even if it doesn't do that, I know someday there will be nothing else left to wait for. Indeed, Leonard has already given all that he can give. If this small tribute brings pleasure to some of us and helps others out, I don't think he would mind so very much about our funny little box.
Vickie
Re: Montreal Leonard Cohen Memorial Commemorative Box Set
Can I order my copy with Sting's contribution deleted?
Re: Montreal Leonard Cohen Memorial Commemorative Box Set
icecreamtruck wrote: ↑Fri Aug 07, 2020 1:03 pm ... it makes me want to buy this thing just to read whatever is contained in the written portion that is advertised as “Leonard’s final instructions through the Montreal tribute events. Using interviews and photos, Rob details the days before Leonard’s passing, his memorial service and the numerous events and happenings in Montreal.”
Bits of information like this are so precious to me. ...
I agree that this kind of information may be precious and also meaningful (particularly anything that Leonard may have said). It seems to me that something like this "Memorial Essay and Photography Booklet" could be published and available separately, in an affordable format. That way, (almost) anyone who would like it would be able to obtain a copy (and perhaps they could even throw in a DVD of the Memorial Concert). Allowing only those who are willing or able to spend $250-350 USD to be privy to it is a bit, well, impolite (to use a polite word).
As for Leonard's final thoughts/instructions, that seems to me to be something that should simply be posted on the website, rather than something that people should have to pay for.
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Re: Montreal Leonard Cohen Memorial Commemorative Box Set
I find this commemorative box set very disappointing. 3 versions of the memorial concert (Blu-Ray 4k, Blu-Ray HD & DVD) rather than letting us choose the format that we prefer. A Blu-Ray disk of Dance Me Ballet (which I would find interesting) and a CD disk of concert songs chosen by Ed Sanders (remember the sound quality of Live in Dublin), a couple of booklets and some trinkets. All for the low price of $350 USD plus shipping. But if you order now its only $250 USD plus shipping. I live in Canada by the way, so with the discount factoring in currency exchange and shipping it works out to $350 CDN anyway. This feels like a "Box of Greed" rather than the value and quality that I have known from Leonard over the years. I will pass on the purchase of this Box Set.
Although I have read this forum for years I rarely login and comment. I am a very long time fan of Leonard and was reading his works before he even released his first album. I had the privilege of seeing him 7 times in my lifetime and am no stranger to his work. I very much appreciate all that Jarkko and Marie have done over the years to promote and keep Leonard's work in the public eye and I apologize in advance if I have offended anyone with my opinion as I didn't wish to rain on anybody's parade.
Although I have read this forum for years I rarely login and comment. I am a very long time fan of Leonard and was reading his works before he even released his first album. I had the privilege of seeing him 7 times in my lifetime and am no stranger to his work. I very much appreciate all that Jarkko and Marie have done over the years to promote and keep Leonard's work in the public eye and I apologize in advance if I have offended anyone with my opinion as I didn't wish to rain on anybody's parade.
Re: Montreal Leonard Cohen Memorial Commemorative Box Set
Agreed. This feels like a weirdly inappropriate thing to monetize. It brings to mind icecreamtruck's informercial feel to all this.
"Call now and we'll throw in Leonard's final thoughts and instructions! Act now! Supplies are limited!"
Re: Montreal Leonard Cohen Memorial Commemorative Box Set
For the sake of feedback, I am sorry but I have to say that I find this offering rather disappointing. If items could be ordered separately, I might order a couple of them, but there are too many items in this boxset that would sit around serving no purpose at all, so it would just be wasteful to order the whole thing. I see that there is a "donation" link in the website, so if I want to contribute to the charitable cause, I prefer to just make a straightforward cash donation.
And may I just suggest: Videos of concerts from those awesome, incomparable tours (most of which we know were filmed), or a CD of songs which have actually never been released, would be infinitely more exciting...
And may I just suggest: Videos of concerts from those awesome, incomparable tours (most of which we know were filmed), or a CD of songs which have actually never been released, would be infinitely more exciting...
Re: Montreal Leonard Cohen Memorial Commemorative Box Set
Thanks very much for all the effforts to make such a box available for LC fans all over the world.
On the UHPF website it says they are planning other collector’s items and offerings for fans. I hope next time it will be vinyl albums with previously unreleased material
On the UHPF website it says they are planning other collector’s items and offerings for fans. I hope next time it will be vinyl albums with previously unreleased material
1985 Rotterdam
1988 Amsterdam
1993 The Hague
2008 Manchester, Brussels (2x), Rotterdam
2009 Lisboa
2010 Dortmund
2012 Ghent 2012 (2x), Amsterdam 2012 (2x)
2013 Antwerp, Oberhausen, Brussels, Rotterdam, Amsterdam
1988 Amsterdam
1993 The Hague
2008 Manchester, Brussels (2x), Rotterdam
2009 Lisboa
2010 Dortmund
2012 Ghent 2012 (2x), Amsterdam 2012 (2x)
2013 Antwerp, Oberhausen, Brussels, Rotterdam, Amsterdam
Re: Montreal Leonard Cohen Memorial Commemorative Box Set
like some others I am a little disappointed with this unofficial LC selection box set. I had been hoping for something special, perhaps some unreleased songs from earlier recording sessions or even some live material from earlier tours.
I would love to have a full length version of the Field Commander Cohen concert at the Hammersmith in London 79. The recording must exist and I think in time we will hear it.
Anyway I've ordered a copy of this new release simply because I attended several of the concerts featured on the CD and so these recordings will be special to me.
I do not have a Blu ray player so will not be watching the Montreal tribute show but having seen some of the footage it's just as well as some performers murdered Leonard's songs. Sting and Elvis C in particular.
I would love to have a full length version of the Field Commander Cohen concert at the Hammersmith in London 79. The recording must exist and I think in time we will hear it.
Anyway I've ordered a copy of this new release simply because I attended several of the concerts featured on the CD and so these recordings will be special to me.
I do not have a Blu ray player so will not be watching the Montreal tribute show but having seen some of the footage it's just as well as some performers murdered Leonard's songs. Sting and Elvis C in particular.
Re: Montreal Leonard Cohen Memorial Commemorative Box Set
I think as a Collector's Item the Commemorative Box Set is beautiful and tastefully done. The presentation is simply outstanding in my opinion. Knowing the money is going to a charity in Leonard's name is also a bonus. I was in Montreal and saw the tribute concert and loved it.
I want to say that Ed Sanders did an excellent brilliant job on 'Songs from the Road'!
I am hopeful Ed's skills and talent will be once again on this new live CD.
I do find the collection pricey but likely worth it. I am very tempted. A few years back I would have said yes in a flash. The price is what some of us paid for concert tickets. During these hard times I am not sure I can afford it but not sure. Hope it sells out quickly.
Thank you for all the hard work Jarkko & Marie!
Leslie
I want to say that Ed Sanders did an excellent brilliant job on 'Songs from the Road'!
I am hopeful Ed's skills and talent will be once again on this new live CD.
I do find the collection pricey but likely worth it. I am very tempted. A few years back I would have said yes in a flash. The price is what some of us paid for concert tickets. During these hard times I am not sure I can afford it but not sure. Hope it sells out quickly.
Thank you for all the hard work Jarkko & Marie!
Leslie
1988 Vancouver
2009 Victoria/Seattle/Almost Red Rocks/Las Vegas/San Jose.
2010 Sligo x 2/Victoria/Vancouver/Portland/Las Vegas x 2.
2012 Austin x 2/Seattle/Vancouver/Montreal x 2.
2013 Oakland x 2/New York City x 2/Winnipeg...
2009 Victoria/Seattle/Almost Red Rocks/Las Vegas/San Jose.
2010 Sligo x 2/Victoria/Vancouver/Portland/Las Vegas x 2.
2012 Austin x 2/Seattle/Vancouver/Montreal x 2.
2013 Oakland x 2/New York City x 2/Winnipeg...
Re: Montreal Leonard Cohen Memorial Commemorative Box Set
Well I certainly was wrong with my guess that the news would be an announcement of a project based around the 1993 tour! I have been reading all the comments on the new box set and am sorry to read there is so much negativity about it. I understand that it is expensive and it is coming out at a time in world history when money is in short supply for so many thanks to Covid-19 and other factors. So I do understand why there are people who feel left out because the price is out of reach for them. However I don't think it is fair to call the price of the box set "greed" since it is all for charities that supports up a coming writers. Remember Leonard was once a new writer and he too needed help to survive in his early years. If it was not for the help he received back in the early days he may have had to put down the pen and pick up a shovel to make a living and we may have all been deprived of all that his work has given us. If the box set was being sold by Sony Music for $350 in stores and in a for profit setting I'd agree with the "box of greed" term being used to describe it. But this is being sold for charity, so I prefer to look at it the same way I look at it when public television stations here in the USA have their fundraisers. They always ask for money and offer up "as gift for your donation of $XXX you will receive a DVD or CD of the concert you just saw". Sure I can just go buy the DVD for $10 or $15 at the store and save myself a boat load of money but that's not the point. I feel it is basically the same thing here, I am gifting the charity my money over and above the fair market value of the box set and they are giving me that product in return instead of just asking for a donation. I do however hope they will offer a lower priced Memorial Concert Blu-Ray/DVD/2008-13 Tour CD set sometime in the future for those who want to have them but can't afford the full box set.
Another thing I can't help but notice is that ever since Live in Dublin came out bashing Ed Sanders has become almost a sport on here. I agree Live in Dublin was mixed differently and not to everybody's liking (I was not too fond of it myself at first but came to accept it once I fiddled with my stereo's sound settings). Remember Ed did work on more than just that one LC album. He also worked on Old Ideas, Live in London, Songs from the Road (where he also picked the performances used on the disc and wrote the notes for the booklet), I Can't Forget Grand Tour and a few other LC albums. I don't remember anybody having anything bad to say about the sound on those albums (aside from the microphone hiss complaints on Leonard's vocals on "Show Me the Place" on Old Ideas). So I think it is only fair we should wait until we hear the finished product on this new collection before we start on Ed again. To use a baseball phrase "even Babe Ruth struck out once in a while", so I say lets just hope Ed may have read our thoughts on the mix of Live in Dublin and took that into account when mixing this new disc and we may just have another "Songs from the Road" mix waiting for us this time! In closing I would like to add that all of my comments above are not meant to offend anyone who is of a different opinion, nor am I offended by anyone who has or will post anything different. It's just my point of view and I know in the grand scheme of things it really means nothing!
On a positive note I can tell you one thing about the new disc I am looking forward to after listening to the samples, that is that Ed picked one of the rare times Dino played harmonica on "Famous Blue Raincoat" instead of the usual saxophone. He did that at the show I was at in Maryland on May 11, 2009 and I thought it was a nice change to hear it done that way. I ran into Dino the next night in Philadelphia before the show and told him I liked the new arrangement with the harmonica in place of the sax and he told me the story of why it was changed the night before and why it will probably never happen again. The show in Maryland was at an outside venue and it was usually cold for May that particular evening (by the 2nd set it was so cold you could see your breath and LC and everyone else in the band was wearing winter scarfs and coats). Dino said that because of the cold he was having trouble with his sax all night and decided he could not play it at all by the time of encores so he had to make the switch last minute. He also said he did it once before at another show for similar reasons and also in soundchecks from time to time "just in case" but Leonard did not like it. He said Leonard wanted the song to sound like something you'd hear in a 1960's New York City Jazz Club and the sax fit the part. I like Dino's sax too but I always remembered that one show and how different it was hearing Dino channel Stevie Wonder's harmonica playing during the solo instead of Sonny Rollins' sax playing. I don't know how many times Dino wound up playing it that way by the end of his 3 years in the band but I am glad Ed picked one of them for this collection. Maybe there may be a few more gems like that in there!
Another thing I can't help but notice is that ever since Live in Dublin came out bashing Ed Sanders has become almost a sport on here. I agree Live in Dublin was mixed differently and not to everybody's liking (I was not too fond of it myself at first but came to accept it once I fiddled with my stereo's sound settings). Remember Ed did work on more than just that one LC album. He also worked on Old Ideas, Live in London, Songs from the Road (where he also picked the performances used on the disc and wrote the notes for the booklet), I Can't Forget Grand Tour and a few other LC albums. I don't remember anybody having anything bad to say about the sound on those albums (aside from the microphone hiss complaints on Leonard's vocals on "Show Me the Place" on Old Ideas). So I think it is only fair we should wait until we hear the finished product on this new collection before we start on Ed again. To use a baseball phrase "even Babe Ruth struck out once in a while", so I say lets just hope Ed may have read our thoughts on the mix of Live in Dublin and took that into account when mixing this new disc and we may just have another "Songs from the Road" mix waiting for us this time! In closing I would like to add that all of my comments above are not meant to offend anyone who is of a different opinion, nor am I offended by anyone who has or will post anything different. It's just my point of view and I know in the grand scheme of things it really means nothing!
On a positive note I can tell you one thing about the new disc I am looking forward to after listening to the samples, that is that Ed picked one of the rare times Dino played harmonica on "Famous Blue Raincoat" instead of the usual saxophone. He did that at the show I was at in Maryland on May 11, 2009 and I thought it was a nice change to hear it done that way. I ran into Dino the next night in Philadelphia before the show and told him I liked the new arrangement with the harmonica in place of the sax and he told me the story of why it was changed the night before and why it will probably never happen again. The show in Maryland was at an outside venue and it was usually cold for May that particular evening (by the 2nd set it was so cold you could see your breath and LC and everyone else in the band was wearing winter scarfs and coats). Dino said that because of the cold he was having trouble with his sax all night and decided he could not play it at all by the time of encores so he had to make the switch last minute. He also said he did it once before at another show for similar reasons and also in soundchecks from time to time "just in case" but Leonard did not like it. He said Leonard wanted the song to sound like something you'd hear in a 1960's New York City Jazz Club and the sax fit the part. I like Dino's sax too but I always remembered that one show and how different it was hearing Dino channel Stevie Wonder's harmonica playing during the solo instead of Sonny Rollins' sax playing. I don't know how many times Dino wound up playing it that way by the end of his 3 years in the band but I am glad Ed picked one of them for this collection. Maybe there may be a few more gems like that in there!
1993: Philadelphia July 15 2008: Montreal June 23,24,25 2009: NYC Feb 19/ Columbia May 11/ Philadelphia May 12/ Waterbury May 14/ NYC May 16,17/ Boston May 29,30/ Philadelphia Oct 22/ NYC Oct 23/ Cleveland Oct 25 2010: Vegas Dec 10,11 2012: Boston Dec 15,16/ NYC Dec 18,20 2013: NYC Apr 6,7
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- Joined: Mon May 07, 2012 6:14 pm
Re: Montreal Leonard Cohen Memorial Commemorative Box Set
bigdee
I apologize if my remarks offended you. I was aware that the net proceeds would be going to charity when I made them. In my opinion, they are setting a price and selling us a product not requesting a donation. We do not have a choice of obtaining it elsewhere as they have stated it would not be available. When I break it down there are 5 disks in the box that works out to $50 per disk at $250 USD or $70 per disk at $350 USD (3 of these disks are duplicated in different formats). To me it feels like they have overreached in their pricing and this is why I used the "Greed" word. It is not priced fairly. We can say it is a tribute to Leonard and it is about Leonard but they only part that is truly new is the CD. I am not willing to gamble that it is mixed correctly. I believe that this set should be base in the low $100 range based on the materials offered. I don't believe I am the only one who does not see the value at the price they are asking. It is my hope that Adam, Robert Kory and Leonard's Estate review future licensing arrangements. Lastly I would like to say this forum is sometimes sensitive to criticism of Leonard or aspects of his work. Its OK to like or not like or have different view points. Leonard was his own harshest critic. This is what allowed him to rise to so high and be the great artist he was for many decades. Again, I apologize if my remarks offended you, I felt I owed you a clearer explanation.
I apologize if my remarks offended you. I was aware that the net proceeds would be going to charity when I made them. In my opinion, they are setting a price and selling us a product not requesting a donation. We do not have a choice of obtaining it elsewhere as they have stated it would not be available. When I break it down there are 5 disks in the box that works out to $50 per disk at $250 USD or $70 per disk at $350 USD (3 of these disks are duplicated in different formats). To me it feels like they have overreached in their pricing and this is why I used the "Greed" word. It is not priced fairly. We can say it is a tribute to Leonard and it is about Leonard but they only part that is truly new is the CD. I am not willing to gamble that it is mixed correctly. I believe that this set should be base in the low $100 range based on the materials offered. I don't believe I am the only one who does not see the value at the price they are asking. It is my hope that Adam, Robert Kory and Leonard's Estate review future licensing arrangements. Lastly I would like to say this forum is sometimes sensitive to criticism of Leonard or aspects of his work. Its OK to like or not like or have different view points. Leonard was his own harshest critic. This is what allowed him to rise to so high and be the great artist he was for many decades. Again, I apologize if my remarks offended you, I felt I owed you a clearer explanation.
Re: Montreal Leonard Cohen Memorial Commemorative Box Set
Jarkko and Marie, thank you again for your kindness and thoughtfulness with this offer!
And I had so much fun on the Waiting/Countdown Thread!
but .... You can’t always get what you want ....
PPPPPerseverance .... Patiently Persevering .....
And I had so much fun on the Waiting/Countdown Thread!
but .... You can’t always get what you want ....
.... and so would I! Along with all the other unpublished songs we know he has recorded!!
PPPPPerseverance .... Patiently Persevering .....
It doesn't have to be perfect, it just has to B4real ~ me
Attitude is a self-fulfilling prophecy ~ me ...... The magic of art is the truth of its lies ~ me ...... Only left-handers are in their right mind!
Attitude is a self-fulfilling prophecy ~ me ...... The magic of art is the truth of its lies ~ me ...... Only left-handers are in their right mind!