CONCERT REPORT: Sydney, Australia - November 16, 2013

The last leg of the Old Ideas tour in November and December 2013
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AlanM
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Re: CONCERT REPORT: Sydney, Australia - November 16, 2013

Post by AlanM »

adam1 wrote:Also, Tonight Will Be Fine. Has he played this at all since his return? That would be a treat.
Tonight Will Be Fine IS on the secondary list, but to my knowledge it has not been played since the delightfully elongated tour started in 2008.
It is one of my favourites too and I would love to experience it performed live. Adam1 we can but hope.
Does anyone know if it has been included in a sound check?

Alan
Too much Leonard Cohen is never enough.
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B4real
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Re: CONCERT REPORT: Sydney, Australia - November 16, 2013

Post by B4real »

Looked at the few photos I managed to take unobscured and here’s the unaltered results. The first photo worked as normal, but all others didn’t.
Crowd scene at start
Crowd scene at start
Leonard skipping off stage at end
Leonard skipping off stage at end
Bird On The Wire
Bird On The Wire
more to follow:
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!
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B4real
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Re: CONCERT REPORT: Sydney, Australia - November 16, 2013

Post by B4real »

Now I know that Alex has fast fingers and a lightning bow but not quite like this. He sure is art in motion!
Alex fiddling up a fire
Alex fiddling up a fire
Alex’s now flaming spectacular burning violin
Alex’s now flaming spectacular burning violin
Alan, to save time and trouble here is the paper set list –
2013-11-16 23-41-28 copy of Sydney set list.jpg
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!
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lindyasimus
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Re: CONCERT REPORT: Sydney, Australia - November 16, 2013

Post by lindyasimus »

Row 4 centre this was more colourful than the new lineup was last year in Verona.

Not sure but I think this is the first time I remember him getting a standing ovation before he sings a note.

Some very subtle changes in nuance in the rendering of some of the songs and they become even more impeccably delivered. Extraordinary.



Here's a video just uploaded by someone further back in the seating that is quite nice of Chealsea Hotel #2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUSNfHXytiE

I can't wait to see him next week at Bimbadgen. If anyone has good tickets for Dec 2 in Sydney the can't use for whatever reason, let me know.
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majmunka
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Re: CONCERT REPORT: Sydney, Australia - November 16, 2013

Post by majmunka »

Thanks, B4real,
that second photo of the burning violin is amazing. It's like a Chagall picture :) I <3 it.
Eva
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Goldin
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Re: CONCERT REPORT: Sydney, Australia - November 16, 2013

Post by Goldin »

majmunka wrote:Thanks, B4real,
that second photo of the burning violin is amazing. It's like a Chagall picture :) I <3 it.
Eva
Just amazing, Bev, I cannot find a better word. Thanks!
Shockvalue
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CONCERT REPORT: Sydney, Australia - November 16, 2013

Post by Shockvalue »

Commenting on the quality of a Leonard Cohen concert is superfluous, it has all been said. The man is a marvel the way he sustains his energy and last nights concert was no exception. In fact he seemed physically more agile than ever and voice as sonorous. The band and singers great as usual with their contributions, the addition of the violinist a perfect touch.
Now maybe I did miss something and please correct me, but I don' t think he uttered the word Sydney once, even in his anecdote about the energy of the city. He certainly didn't mention it in Hallelujah, and I thought I detected a absent pause before he sang " this place" in the part of the song where he usually refers to the city or venue( " I didn't come to fool you").
I'm sure he really did know what city he was in:)
I know people will take photos and videos but it seemed to me the lack of respect of others by some who last night held their cameras above their heads to film blocking and or distracting their neighbours is becoming an increasing curse in concerts. So thank the ushers for jumping on them!
I 'd be safe to say everyone went home happy; Leonard and the band did give us their all as promised.
Last edited by Shockvalue on Sun Nov 17, 2013 5:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.
mary emma
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Re: CONCERT REPORT: Sydney, Australia - November 16, 2013

Post by mary emma »

Hi Bev,
So glad to read that you made it, I hope your flight was good :D
Thanks for the pictures, I especially like the burning violin !
take care
Mary Emma
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Re: CONCERT REPORT: Sydney, Australia - November 16, 2013

Post by cohenadmirer »

Shockvalue wrote: Now maybe I did miss something and please correct me, but I don' t think he uttered the word Sydney once, even in his anecdote about the energy of the city. He certainly didn't mention it in Hallelujah, and I thought I detected a absent pause before he sang " this place" in the part of the song where he usually refers to the city or venue( " I didn't come to fool you").
I'm sure he really did know what city he was in:)
It's great to hear these reports from Australia . Bev - the violin picture is a great 'accidental work of art'.
I'm not sure why but Leonard seems to have generally dropped name checking the city in Hallelujah. He used to do it routinely but , this is my impression , very seldom now . I last saw him in Amsterdam and - come to think of it- he didn't specifically mention Amsterdam at all .
Leonard's work resonates
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B4real
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Re: CONCERT REPORT: Sydney, Australia - November 16, 2013

Post by B4real »

Thanks everyone, for your kind words :D
Yes, that photo sure was a serendipitous shot (hope Alex likes it :) ). To think it happened because someone’s body was blocking my view – ironic isn’t it :razz:

Questions I can answer:
No, he never said “Sydney”.
Yes, he does get standing ovations before he starts in a lot of cities.
He does mix it up a bit with this recitation and here's the full version for SYDNEY 13th Nov 2013:

A THOUSAND KISSES DEEP

You came to me this morning
and you handled me like meat
you’d have to be a man to know
how good that feels how sweet
my mirrored twin my next of kin
I’d know you in my sleep
and who but you would take me in
a thousand kisses deep

I loved you when you opened
like a lily to the heat
you see I’m just another snowman
standing in the rain and sleet
who loved you with his frozen love
his second hand physique
with all he is and all he was
a thousand kisses deep

I know you had to lie to me
I know you had to cheat
to pose all hot and high
behind the veils of sheer deceit
our perfect porn aristocrat
so elegant and cheap
I’m old but I’m still into that
a thousand kisses deep

I’m good at love
I’m good at hate
it's in between I freeze
been working out but it's too late
it's been too late for years
but you look good you really do
they love you on the street
if I could move I’d kneel for you
a thousand kisses deep

I’m still working with the wine
still dancing cheek to cheek
the band is playing "auld lang syne"
but the heart will not retreat
I ran with Diz I sang with Ray
I never had their sweep
but once or twice they let me play
a thousand kisses deep

The autumn moved across your skin
got something in my eye
a light that doesn’t need to live
and doesn’t need to die
a riddle in the book of love
obscure and obsolete
til witnessed here in time and blood
a thousand kisses deep

I loved you when you opened
like a lily to the heart
you see I’m just another snowman
standing in the rain and sleet
who loved you with his frozen love
his second hand physique
with all he is and all he was
a thousand kisses deep

Well that’s my story
I’ll admit it’s broken and it’s bleak
but all the twisted pieces fit
a thousand kisses deep
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!
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B4real
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Re: CONCERT REPORT: Sydney, Australia - November 16, 2013

Post by B4real »

ah, and what to do on a rainy day in Sydney.........

Seems that Leonard's sign at the Entertainment Centre found it's way across the street onto the one just outside my hotel window below :)
IMG_0027-rainy-day-in-sydney.jpg
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!
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sturgess66
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Re: CONCERT REPORT: Sydney, Australia - November 16, 2013

Post by sturgess66 »

http://www.theaureview.com/sydney/leona ... e-16-11-13
Live Review: Leonard Cohen - Sydney Entertainment Centre (16.11.13)
November 18, 2013 - 4:23pm — Lucy Inglis

Image

Watching the much loved singer-songwriter, poet and novelist Leonard Cohen performing at the Entertainment Centre, it was hard to believe that he is seventy nine years old. Delivering songs both old and new with immense charm and panache as he prowled about the stage, Leonard's voice may have become far deeper than it was back in the sixties, but his passion remains strong.

Accompanied by an impressive ensemble that included three backup singers with silky smooth voices, violin, double bass, guitar and the hammond organ, Cohen had terrific support across the set and gave a number of the performers a chance to stand out. And with musicians who are as famous for their craft as Cohen is for his voice, it's a welcome embrace. That said, this show was well and truly about coming together to take in the marvel that is Leonard Cohen; his intensely moving, romantic and honest lyrics, deep gravelly vocals and extraordinary backlist of songs from the 1960s to now.

Presenting the show in two sets along with two encores, it was certainly a lengthy yet rewarding performance, coming in at about three and a half hours. Working in songs from his latest album of 2012, Old Ideas, including "Going Home" and "Amen", Cohen managed to show off his lasting ability to write sincere songs that now draw upon the talents of his ensemble to a greater extent. Indeed, as Cohen's vocals have deepened, the silky vocals of his backup singers have only become more complimentary.

Crowd favourites of the night would have to have been the uplifting "Anthem", "Tower Of Song" for it's witty lyrics, and "I'm Your Man". Bring in the heartfelt "Bird On A Wire", "The Partisan" and "Suzanne", and Cohen did a superb job of working in his older classics. Across the set, it would have to have been "Chelsea Hotel" that was the most moving, as Cohen performed this number solo with his guitar, with the raw, stripped back style being perfectly suited to the open nature of the song.

While this show may have verged on being too drawn out, it was a fantastic night of music showcasing one of the finest singers and songwriters of his generation.

SETLIST
Dance Me to the End of Love
The Future
Bird on the Wire
Everybody Knows
Who by Fire
Darkness
Amen
Come Healing
Lover Lover Lover
Anthem
--INTERMISSION--
Tower of Song
Suzanne
Chelsea Hotel #2
Waiting for the Miracle
The Partisan
Alexandra Leaving (performed by Sharon Robinson)
I'm Your Man
A Thousand Kisses Deep (recitation)
Hallelujah
Take This Waltz

Encore:
So Long, Marianne
Going Home
First We Take Manhattan

Encore 2:
Famous Blue Raincoat
If It Be Your Will (performed by the Webb Sisters)
Closing Time
antipodean heart
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Re: CONCERT REPORT: Sydney, Australia - November 16, 2013

Post by antipodean heart »

B4real:
Well that’s my story
I’ll admit it’s broken and it’s bleak
but all the twisted pieces fit
a thousand kisses deep
Thank you B4real for posting 1000 Kisses Deep with the last verse. Great photos too :D

Jen
2009 Bowral and Venice | 2010 Ljubljana and LVx2 | 2012 Verona | 2013 Sydney, Townsville and.....|
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joyezekiel
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Re: CONCERT REPORT: Sydney, Australia - November 16, 2013

Post by joyezekiel »

While this show may have verged on being too drawn out, it was a fantastic night of music showcasing one of the finest singers and songwriters of his generation.
Too drawn out????? Blasphemy!
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HelenOE
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Re: CONCERT REPORT: Sydney, Australia - November 16, 2013

Post by HelenOE »

joyezekiel wrote:
While this show may have verged on being too drawn out, it was a fantastic night of music showcasing one of the finest singers and songwriters of his generation.
Too drawn out????? Blasphemy!
I'm a translator, let me help: "This show may have verged on being too drawn out" is Aussie for "The reviewer drank a little too much beer during the interval."
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