CONCERT REPORT: Berlin, Germany, August 18, 2010

July 25 - December 11, 2010. Concert reports, set lists, photos, media coverage, multimedia links, recollections...
User avatar
coolcohen1
Posts: 87
Joined: Sat Jan 30, 2010 7:49 pm

Re: CONCERT REPORT: Berlin, Germany, August 18, 2010

Post by coolcohen1 »

sturgess66 wrote:
coolcohen1 wrote:Sorry i am just a stupid dane.
I do not get it is there one or tow treads about Berlin ?
CC
Just one Marc - and this is it. There was another one that was changed to a "pre concert" thread but I don't think it has been active.

Ok Thanks :D
3 times in denmark 3 times in germany 1 in sweden 1 in norway
Concerts 2010 2 times in sweden 1 in Denmark and thenn we take Berlin
And now alsoo going to stuttgard is life not just beutifull ??

http://coolcohen.blogspot.com/
User avatar
sturgess66
Posts: 4110
Joined: Sat Feb 21, 2009 2:50 pm
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Re: CONCERT REPORT: Berlin, Germany, August 18, 2010

Post by sturgess66 »

http://www.morgenpost.de/kultur/article ... elgen.html
Concert in Berlin
Leonard Cohen Takes The Stage Into The Forest Revel


Thursday 19 August 2010 09:46 -
By Peter E. Müller

With 75 years of Leonard Cohen is touring again - also because he needs the money. But rarely saw 12,000 fans in Berlin's forest stage a concert with such emotion, such finality, such veracity. And more than three hours.

Image
Like a good whiskey - wlird getting better with age: Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen - Photo: picture-alliance

In the end, something wonderful happens. Six encores Leonard Cohen and his band have given already. And then after three and a half hours of that song he plays all too often live, the piece that had given him in 1974 his only German Top Ten hit, "Lover Lover Lover". A ballad that reads like a light love song, and also generally understood to be, even though it has the conflicts of a believer with God to the content. He plays the song often, but here, on Wednesday evening in the forest with around 12,000 visitors filled stage, he is the finale of a stunning concert with one of the most moving song poets of our day. And Amphitheaterrund vibrates with enthusiasm and gratitude.

For two years, Leonard Cohen now back on tour. In September he is 76 years old and he has, even though the circumstances were not happy at first, found the way back to his audience. When he was in the mid 90s in the Buddhist monastery in Mount Baldy wry California, he appeared for the earthly Entertainment permanently lost. But his manager and sometime partner in this time of meditation has squandered all his property, his pension was gone. More than five million U.S. dollars, so they say. All gone. Leonard Cohen needed money to finance his retirement. Such profane were the reasons for his return. But the infamous raid the wrong girlfriend was ultimately a good thing. Because we rarely experienced today a concert by such emotion, such finality, such veracity.

Cohen calls audience "my friends"

It is the third to give Berlin-guest performance, which Cohen and his excellent band now in the context of this tour. The program is almost identical to that in the O2 World in 2008 and 2009. And yet even this evening in the forest stage something unique, so pathetic. It is always about the last time to say goodbye to surrender to the quarrel with the existence and the struggle against the resignation - but also about hope. "My friends," he calls his audience again and again and bowed almost reverently, before the fans to the musicians, in the songs.

The bohemian, who roamed the New York of the 60s in the environment of Andy Warhol's Factory, the excessive drinker and womanizer, the encrypted his affairs to songs and poems, the seeker of God, who found his salvation in Buddhism is to a great wise man has matured, animated the subsequent generations of musicians and inspired. It brings children, parents and grandparents before him, if he sings like a preacher all his great successes in subtle arrangements. With "Dance Me To The End Of Love" begins the song dance, inspired by the Holocaust that song of love that tells death survives. "Bird On A Wire" "So Long, Marianne", "Take This Waltz," "Who By Fire", "First We Take Manhattan (Then We Take Berlin)", "Famous Blue Raincoat," "Suzanne" - there are century songs that have taken anything from popular music of their arbitrariness and gave them dignity.

Refined by angel voices

Cohen, in a dark suit, with hat and bolo tie for the gray-collar, has felt fun in the middle of his music, he dances, going to his knees, pulls his hat again and smiling. He can rely on his musical High Mass on a great band. His longtime companion, bassist Roscoe Beck is the musical director of the company. The bluesbeseelte guitarist Bob Metzger is at it again. The Spaniard Javier Mas played with Andalusian flamenco flair sounds and twelve string, Neil Larsson the heavy Hammond B3 organ, sax player Dino Soldo and drummer Rafael Gayol complete the band, which is refined by three wonderful angel voices: from the soulstarken Sharon Robinson, the also co-author of several Cohen songs, and of the heavenly Webb Sisters, Charley and Hattie, which provoke the encore with a stirring version of Cohen's "If It Be Your Will" goose bumps.

Songs for eternity

Writer was to be his goal. Several books of poetry and prose published by Cohen, the first book "Let Us Compare Mythologies" was released early as 1955. But only after 1968 was published with "Songs of Leonard Cohen" the first LP, is a curious hippie generation began with the literary work to employ, such as the 1964 published book of poetry "Roses for Hitler" or the cryptic novel, "The Favorite" . Leonard Cohen was loudly protesting Rock business, the rebellious, brooding, questioning counterpoint. And he created songs that are made for eternity, folk songs in the best sense.

Cohensongs are memory songs. An early love affairs, dangerous at nights, to disappointment, which could alleviate a single song. Everybody in this audience has its own special Cohentitel in the heart. And she sings all the master, with deep, roughened voice, kind gesture, with a light show at a glance. Now and then converts the worship atmosphere, where for example, "First We Take Manhattan" is a rocking dance beat rattles through the forest stage - that there are probably only in this city - thousands of voices to the chorus, "Then We Take Berlin sing" . Cohen takes it visibly pleased to note.

In "Hallelujah" revels all Walbühne

In "Hallelujah", this playing with Biblical elements, Love Song, Cohen adds back the line "I did not come all the way to Berlin to fool you one." It is one of his most gecoverten pieces, there are versions of John Cale, Jeff Buckley, Rufus Wainwright, Bob Dylan, and even Berlin We are heroes had "Hallelujah" in the repertoire. This revels the whole forest stage, sparklers flickering, everything sings with reverence. In the superficial ease, but always with a toned swing in a minor key melancholy. For Cohen tells in his shrewd observations, above all, of the finitude of life, of setbacks, threats, fears. As in "The Future", which states: "Give me back the Berlin Wall, give me Stalin and St Paul I've seen the future brother, it is murderous."

You can thank the venerable old man was not enough that he is the strain such a lengthy world tour exposes. That he again live on stage and share his great art can. As Leonard Cohen for "Lover Lover Lover" cedes to actually have something definitive. The prolonged applause resonates with the hope that it may still possible to return often. Hallelujah!
User avatar
Heike
Posts: 781
Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2008 1:55 pm
Location: Germany

Re: CONCERT REPORT: Berlin, Germany, August 18, 2010

Post by Heike »

@Maulwurf: Leonard's concerts are certainly addictive to me, but I also find it difficult to explain this. Even if the choice of songs is similar (and we had three new songs plus an extra encore in Berlin this time), it doesn't matter, I just want to re-live the emotional impact that I experience during the concerts again and again.

@Christina from the Netherlands: Nice to sit next to you in Berlin. Hope to see you writing on the Forum soon!

@Everyone at the pre- and post-show meet-ups: It was lovely talking to you (despite my cold) and I hope to see many of you in Wiesbaden!

Some more links to newspaper articles on the Berlin concert (in German):

Leipziger Volkszeitung:
http://www.lvz-online.de/boulevard/cont ... _mldg.html

Tagesspiegel:
http://www.tagesspiegel.de/kultur/leona ... 06892.html
http://www.tagesspiegel.de/kultur/pop/l ... 06734.html
User avatar
coolcohen1
Posts: 87
Joined: Sat Jan 30, 2010 7:49 pm

Re: CONCERT REPORT: Berlin, Germany, August 18, 2010

Post by coolcohen1 »

3 times in denmark 3 times in germany 1 in sweden 1 in norway
Concerts 2010 2 times in sweden 1 in Denmark and thenn we take Berlin
And now alsoo going to stuttgard is life not just beutifull ??

http://coolcohen.blogspot.com/
User avatar
sturgess66
Posts: 4110
Joined: Sat Feb 21, 2009 2:50 pm
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Re: CONCERT REPORT: Berlin, Germany, August 18, 2010

Post by sturgess66 »

More terrific photos Marc.

And thanks so much for capturing Sharon Robinson and "Boogie Street." :D :D
jeanne
Posts: 157
Joined: Wed Jun 16, 2010 3:24 pm
Location: florida

Re: CONCERT REPORT: Berlin, Germany, August 18, 2010

Post by jeanne »

READING THE BERLIN CONCERT REPORTS...............I AM AS OLD AS MR. COHEN AND HAVE LISTENED TO HIM SINCE THE SIXTIES............HE IS AS MUCH A PART OF MY LIFE AS BREATHING.....THERE IS NO END TO THE EMOTIONS AND THEY CONSTANTLY CHANGE ....... MUSIC AND WORDS MAY BE THE SAME..... BUT HE IS ALWAYS MAKING ME FEEL SOMETHING DIFFERENT.I ONLY NOW HAVE THE ABILITY TO SEE HIM LIVE IN FLORENCE FOR THE FIRST TIME......THIS CANNOT ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS ..BUT I WILL SEE EVERY CONCERT THAT I AM ABLE TO AND CHERISH EVERY MOMENT..... FOR HE WILL NEVER BE REPLACED......AND I WILL TAKE WHATEVER HE HAS TO OFFER AS A PURE GIFT EVEN IF I HAVE HEARD IT A MILLION TIMES....EACH TIME IS LIKE THE FIRST TIME..................MOST OF YOU ARE YOUNG..I AM GROWING OLDER BUT WHEN I LISTEN TO LEONARD COHEN I AM YOUNG AGAIN......I QUESS HE IS SOMETHING DIFFERENT TO EACH OF US. DONT ANALYZE SO MUCH.......JUST FEEL HIM............FORGIVE ME FOR PREACHING.....................JEANNE[quote][/quote] there is a crack in everything...thats how the light gets in.
"there is a crack in everything.that's how the light gets in " Florence 2010 - las vegas 2010....hope for Hydra......Hydra no longer a hope......now a reality..
"when the gods want to punish you, they answer your prayers"
User avatar
coolcohen1
Posts: 87
Joined: Sat Jan 30, 2010 7:49 pm

Re: CONCERT REPORT: Berlin, Germany, August 18, 2010

Post by coolcohen1 »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCpIF8Ra2gU

more videos i thinks 3 more
Hope you'll enjoy it
3 times in denmark 3 times in germany 1 in sweden 1 in norway
Concerts 2010 2 times in sweden 1 in Denmark and thenn we take Berlin
And now alsoo going to stuttgard is life not just beutifull ??

http://coolcohen.blogspot.com/
User avatar
sturgess66
Posts: 4110
Joined: Sat Feb 21, 2009 2:50 pm
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Re: CONCERT REPORT: Berlin, Germany, August 18, 2010

Post by sturgess66 »

Last edited by sturgess66 on Sat Aug 21, 2010 2:24 am, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
sturgess66
Posts: 4110
Joined: Sat Feb 21, 2009 2:50 pm
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Re: CONCERT REPORT: Berlin, Germany, August 18, 2010

Post by sturgess66 »

Still organizing - :D And - our cup runneth over!
From "albertnoonan" - Thanks!

"First We Take Manhattan"
(4:32 - no matter how many times I see it, I love Leonard & Javier! Javier listening so intently - and then Leonard's directive - "but first ... " :lol: )
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRyqusXwXBs

"Closing Time" and "I Tried To Leave You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-zD9JSAqI0
Closing time at the Berlin August 18th 2010 concert. When leonard Leaves stage at the end of the song he returns very quickly to sing , I tried to leave you. I would like to point out that due to a technical problem, the last three words of the song were not recorded. ! :{ rather than have an abrupt end i have included the last three words from the soundtrack in Sligo, Lissadell concert.
"Bird On The Wire" (Ahhh - one of my favs! :) )
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQfG3mBbGzY

"The Partisan"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeagYhM6z40

"Lover, Lover, Lover"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iPQpU98HRc
User avatar
Womanfromaroom
Posts: 1024
Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2007 7:25 pm
Location: Germany

Re: CONCERT REPORT: Berlin, Germany, August 18, 2010

Post by Womanfromaroom »

Another "Bird On The Wire" video - from a slightly different perspective than Albert's and much less "professional" (I think it is ok for me to say so, as I recorded it! ;-) ):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfsTWNQ4 ... r_embedded
"You thought that it could never happen / to all the people that you became"...
Love Calls You By Your Name
cohenadmirer
Posts: 1026
Joined: Wed Apr 09, 2008 3:44 pm
Location: wirral, uk

Re: CONCERT REPORT: Berlin, Germany, August 18, 2010

Post by cohenadmirer »

sturgess66 wrote:I'm organizing :D - "coolcohen100" videos - Thanks!

"Suzanne"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCpIF8Ra2gU

"First We Take Manhattan"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4A03ljhoy-c

"So Long Marianne"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3iyRUT1IXQ

"Take This Waltz" :D :D :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQjU_UrpTTU

"Lover, Lover, Lover"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3aggr-K5Rg

"Boogie Street" :D :D :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKqt9erXOGs

thanks again to coolcohen for his great videos. irish al may have competion for the best audience videos . infact would anyone like a thread where we vote for the best unofficial tour video ?????

By the way does the high prominence of audience videos on here indicate that leonard and his management dont mind /accept ( even approve of )this activity ??
Leonard's work resonates
Brighton 1979; Dublin , Manchester june 2008; glasgow, manchester Nov 2008; Liverpool july 2009 ; Barcelona Sept 2009 ;marseille, lille september2010: Ghent August 2012;Barcelona October 2012;Montreal x2 November 2012: 2013; Saint John NB April 2013; Brussels June 2013;Manchester August 2013; Leeds , Birmingham September 2013; Amsterdam September 2013
User avatar
coolcohen1
Posts: 87
Joined: Sat Jan 30, 2010 7:49 pm

Re: CONCERT REPORT: Berlin, Germany, August 18, 2010

Post by coolcohen1 »

I still have 3 greate videos from B but i cant split them.
Any one can help ?
CC
3 times in denmark 3 times in germany 1 in sweden 1 in norway
Concerts 2010 2 times in sweden 1 in Denmark and thenn we take Berlin
And now alsoo going to stuttgard is life not just beutifull ??

http://coolcohen.blogspot.com/
Lii
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed Aug 11, 2010 3:35 pm
Location: Turku, Finland

Re: CONCERT REPORT: Berlin, Germany, August 18, 2010

Post by Lii »

I had such a lovely time seeing and hearing Leonard again and meeting you all. Waldbühne was a wonderful venue, it was such a beautiful day to spend outdoors, a lot of sunshine and only a little rain, and the show was just as beautiful outdoors.
Thank you for being so nice and welcoming!
User avatar
Laura
Posts: 804
Joined: Tue Nov 19, 2002 12:23 am
Location: Bucharest

Re: CONCERT REPORT: Berlin, Germany, August 18, 2010

Post by Laura »

Thank you everyone for the great videos, for the smiles and hugs and just for being friends. I really apreciated it. :-)
There were so many reports written about the concert itself, so I'll write one about people.
This concert had free seating, so we had to wait a while before entering. We were quite a large forum crowd at the gates of the Walduhne. While all the other waiting lines were relatively straight and peaceful, ours was more like a... very noisy circle. I'm certain everybody noticed us! :D I can't even remember how I know everyone: forum, Hydra, Facebook, Cohen poster, concerts, Krakow... the circle gets larger and larger, and the hugs more and more.
We also managed to occupy almost entirely the first 2 rows (thank you Ute and Nicole, who managed to run down the ENDLESS steps-I have no idea how they did that!-and save seats for the rest of us, too!) At some point before the concert there was some shuffling and changing of seats, as we were looking for a good place for Albert, our Famous Forum Recorder, and so I found myself with a new seat neighbour. I introduced myself, just to find out with some amazement that he was not actually part of our group, he was just an "innocent bystander" atracted into the middle of our craziness by the seat swapping. I'm sure he was quite amazed too, to find himself fast "adopted" into the group, and to spend the next 2 happy days with us as well (ay, and thank you, Kadir, for treating 3-hours acquaintances as life-long friends! That was incredible) I hope he never regreted it.

So, this is fate, and this is why I go to Cohen concerts, again and again (if I can! I admit this was "only" my 6th) Because we share our happiness and our sadness there. Because a simple seat change can bring you a new friend. And because, even if it's the same concert, the feeling is usually new and always powerful.
This "report" is partially adressed to Maulwurf, as our experience of the same concert seems to be so different, and I still can't understand. You saw us and you avoided us: were we so scary?

Laura
crystal
Posts: 330
Joined: Tue Apr 08, 2008 7:56 pm

Re: CONCERT REPORT: Berlin, Germany, August 18, 2010

Post by crystal »

Laura,
beautifully said. Thank you.
I am only sad that we were very late in arriving last wednesday. Fortunately we found some chairs and were fairly close to the stage but it was too late for me to wander around and look for the forum member. I should have done so during intermission.
I am glad you had a good time in Berlin.
Christel
Post Reply

Return to “The World Tour 2010”