CONCERT REPORT: New York City, April 6 & 7, 2013

Everything about the first leg of Leonard Cohen's World Tour 2013
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mirka
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Re: CONCERT REPORT: New York City, April 6 & 7, 2013

Post by mirka »


A huge THANK YOU, Albert, for all the videos you made for all of us who could not be there !

mirka
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sturgess66
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Re: CONCERT REPORT: New York City, April 6 & 7, 2013

Post by sturgess66 »

http://gregmitchellwriter.blogspot.com/ ... andra.html
Monday, April 8, 2013
Posted by Greg Mitchell at 8:30 AM

Leonard Cohen: The Legend Continues

Leonard Cohen, at the age of 78, performed another 3 1/2 concert last night at Radio City in NYC, after a soldout show there on Saturday. Yes, he is still skipping on and off stage several times during the show. I'd seen his similar show there about four years ago, but this one was even better, with songs from his new album and additions like "Famous Blue Raincoat" and "Lover Lover." He also spruced things up by changing or adding new lyrics from his poet's kit bag, notably on "Waiting for a Miracle." And he's added a wonderful and vital violinist to his crack band. Some of the massive, and deserved, amount of money he's finally making with these tours obviously has gone into the best sound system I've ever encountered--you could hear every word (halfway back), rather important given his lyrics. He still wittily closes with "Closing Time"--but this time he came back with (ha) "I Tried to Leave You."

And he did it all while failing to play the best songs from his two most recent albums: "The Letters" and "Different Sides." But one of the highlights of the epic Cohen live sets these days isn't even performed by him, but rather by his longtime collaborator, Sharon Robinson--who sings, magnificently, their co-authored "Alexandra Leaving." It's one of the great songs of our era and inspired by the poem, "The God Abandons Antony" by Constantine P. Cavafy, [ http://www.leonardcohenfiles.com/cavafy.html ] which includes the lines, "The Alexandria you are leaving." More Leonard here. [ http://gregmitchellwriter.blogspot.com/ ... r-man.html ] And this site collects the best videos of each of the songs from the tour. http://1heckofaguy.com/best-of-2013-leo ... o-setlist/
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IrishAL
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Re: CONCERT REPORT: New York City, April 6 & 7, 2013

Post by IrishAL »

More video from Saturday night

Going Home

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YQyL1C-M-A

Closing time

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdQP_2Na6bo

enjoy A
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sturgess66
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Re: CONCERT REPORT: New York City, April 6 & 7, 2013

Post by sturgess66 »

Leif B shares a great picture from this show at his NO IDEAS blog -
http://dragonhelm.wordpress.com/2013/04 ... milestone/

https://twitter.com/NoIdeasTheBlog
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Re: CONCERT REPORT: New York City, April 6 & 7, 2013

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http://artvent.blogspot.com/2013/04/leo ... -city.html
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Leonard Cohen at Radio City
Posted by Carol Diehl at 11:31 PM

I saw Leonard Cohen in concert, at Radio City last Sunday, part of his extensive “Old Ideas” world tour. A friend wanted to go. I won’t admit how much the tickets cost—something ridiculous—but then I read son Matt’s review of the tour in Rolling Stone, and was convinced. Later he said, “It doesn’t make any difference if he’s bad or good; he’s an icon of our times. I saw Bob Dylan and he was terrible, but I’m still glad I did.” I saw Dylan around the same time, and can agree, although have never gotten over the rotten Neil Young show that ruined him for me forever.

Well it turned out to be one of the greatest musical experiences in a lifetime of great musical experiences. Cohen is 78, and instead of being one of those performers whose later shows generate nostalgia for his younger self, he’s at the top of his form. Growing instead of fading, this show is—as it should be—a synthesis of everything he’s learned over the years. It’s as if he was always meant to be 78.

Perhaps Cohen’s deepening artistry has to do with his practice of Zen Buddhism, which I gently mocked in a post in 2008. Actually it wasn’t the practice, which I certainly respect, that bugged me, but the sanctimonious rhetoric that characterizes so much writing about New Age pursuits. Of course Louise Bourgeois’s artistry grew with age as well, and she was (in my experience) as neurotic as they come—sometimes delightfully and other times not-so-delightfully so. Fortunately, for those of us who love her work, the early childhood issues on which it was based remained unresolved.

A lean, elegant figure, Cohen is a showman, and from the moment he walks on, in his (no doubt) bespoke suit and fedora, the stage is his. The show was a generous 3 ½ hours long – and I have a feeling he took on the length as a challenge: “Can I keep you on the edge of your seat for 3 ½ hours? Yes I can.” Cohen is also a collaborator who surrounds himself with musicians who are, if not his equal, close to it, and showcases their talents, often kneeling in front of them, fedora to heart, as they perform (he nimbly dropped to his knees and bounced back up many times during the evening, and at the end, skipped off the stage). His back-up singers, the ethereal Webb Sisters, whose intertwined harmonies often sound like one divine voice, were the perfect foil for his gravelly vocals. They were joined by Sharon Robinson, who has co-written a number of Cohen’s songs, and whose solo, “Alexandra Leaving,” brought down the house. No obligatory applause here. Other standouts were traditional Spanish guitarist Javier Mas, from Barcelona, and Alexandru Bublitchi on violin, whose inter-weavings were almost as tight as those of the Webb Sisters.

And yet, after spending 3 ½ hours with him, Leonard Cohen remains unknowable. I’m sure each concert on the tour is exactly the same: same music, same patter, with no opportunity for spontaneity—not that it matters. He spoke of wanting to start smoking again when he’s 80, yet I’m sure he doesn’t mean it, as meditation practice is all about the breath—master the breath, master your life. He just wants to appear to be someone who would smoke, as if trying to associate himself with a little bit of decadence he can no longer muster. I always thought authenticity was the key to art, but in Cohen’s case the mask works. He gives everything, and reveals nothing. Way to go.
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Re: CONCERT REPORT: New York City, April 6 & 7, 2013

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Video uploaded by "martytwhelan" - Thanks

Who By Fire
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rL_vaHdhIU
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Re: CONCERT REPORT: New York City, April 6 & 7, 2013

Post by lizzytysh »

Love Carol Diehl's review and its unique take.

Thanks for posting it, Linda.
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sturgess66
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Re: CONCERT REPORT: New York City, April 6 & 7, 2013

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Video uploaded by Sylvia Apfelbaum - Thanks!

A Thousand Kisses Deep
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUlTBPNFu6s
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Re: CONCERT REPORT: New York City, April 6 & 7, 2013

Post by lizzytysh »

So glad I attended both concerts in New York. Sunday's audience response seemed much freer, spontaneous, and uproariously appreciative.

Would not have thought it possible, but something in Leonard's voice and delivery, his phrasing, his vocal depth, and his pace and focus with the words of the songs in this 2013 tour [and I, somehow, noticed it even more in New York]... it's like he's as inspired by and reverent about his songs as we are... and it's in his voice. It's like he's singing them for the first time after having perfected each one.

I commented on it to someone else and they agreed, and didn't seem to be agreeing just because it was something positive about him. It wasn't just rote agreement.

Was shocked by the quality of the sound a little more than midway back in the orchestra section. I'd heard that Chris Bynum had told someone that it's really superior about halfway back, and as I had no choice but to get those tickets, sure hoped I agreed with him. By focusing a lot on the overheads, I was able to stay feeling connected to what was going on onstage. Would much prefer the European videographer for the overheads [if it's in fact a different one, which it sure appears to be... unless I got spoiled by concerts that were being filmed and therefore resulted in more intense videotaping. In Europe, the close-ups of the women were VERY close-up and head-on and the exquisite, dynamic eye contact between the sisters and Leonard, as each solos, is priceless! These views showcase the Webb Sisters, personally, in a way that nothing else does. Between the gentle tilts of their heads and the look in their eyes, the tight close-ups show each of them as though personally singing to Leonard with full adoration and everlasting love. The dynamic between Leonard and Sharon was more easily seen in Europe, as well. It's reflected each time through the women's faces as if through a mirror. Would go on more, but for now, that's enough. May return with an edited line for more description.

Am so sorry that I don't know when my next concert will be. Hoping for a brief U.S. return in 2013, when he returns from Europe/Australia/New Zealand. If not, then it's on to 2014... I hope.
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Re: CONCERT REPORT: New York City, April 6 & 7, 2013

Post by IMM »

From the Carol Diehl blog above:
I always thought authenticity was the key to art, but in Cohen’s case the mask works. He gives everything, and reveals nothing.
(bold type emphasis is mine)

Perhaps he wears that old Masque in honor of Ben Jonson? ;-)
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Re: CONCERT REPORT: New York City, April 6 & 7, 2013

Post by musicmania »

Photo highlights Concert 1

http://myleonardcohenjourney.wordpress. ... k-photos1/

Photo highlights Concert 2

http://myleonardcohenjourney.wordpress. ... concert-2/

Still have to write my review. Will do it tomorrow as still jet lagged!
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Re: CONCERT REPORT: New York City, April 6 & 7, 2013

Post by lizzytysh »

Priceless. Leonard in shadow skipping and smiling.
On night two, love the black & white of Hattie, and the one in colour of Charley that immediately follows.
Wonderful photos all 'round, Gwen!
Looking forward to your reviews.
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Re: CONCERT REPORT: New York City, April 6 & 7, 2013

Post by B4real »

ah Gwen, such wonderful photos :D I love the variety!

I noticed that Leonard is wearing another bracelet next to the saints one. I wonder if it represents anything similar? Maybe worry or prayer beads?
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Re: CONCERT REPORT: New York City, April 6 & 7, 2013

Post by comehealing »

Simply stunning photos Gwen, thanks for sharing! :)
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Re: CONCERT REPORT: New York City, April 6 & 7, 2013

Post by musicmania »

Thank you friends. I asked Allan Showalter about the bracelet and all he could tell me was that Leonard started wearing it on the tour this year. I tried to get a close-up of it but was just a little too far back.
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/

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