CONCERT REPORT: San José, Nov 13

[Misty Marie]

Cohen's backing band is the standard backing band - technically proficient, but lacking that individual spark of genius. But, that is the point of a backing band.

I guess we could beg to differ ...

That article sounds like something that would be printed in a college newspaper. They just don't get it.

Misty

[sturgess66]

To quote my wife "that reviewer is a clueless assmonkey".

I think that sums it up nicely.

[Paula]

mutti-
Diana (and all of us ladies!) were pretty, um, vocal during I'm Your man but I think you're thinking of Diana's comment during Tower of Song, when he said "but I'm not coming on", she called out "YES YOU ARE", which was awesome and elicited a smile from him.

I was very glad to even BE there to witness this at all because I was late getting back to my seat after intermission. At one of the doors (not sure if this was going on at other entries) ushers tried to keep me and about 20 others out until the end of ToS, which had me ready to burst into tears. A lady of about 60, my hero of the night, said NO YOU ARE NOT DOING THIS, and pushed past the usher, who tried to stop her, and she pushed harder past him, and said NO YOU GUYS DID NOT FLASH THE LIGHTS - I AM GOING IN, and she opened the doors and went in. A man followed her, saying "I have to go in, that's my wife!" Not sure if he was telling the truth but I took the opportunity to say "That's my mom!" and at the point there was so much chaos, the usher just gave up and everyone got in. It was pretty great. The usher learned an important lesson- LC fans are rabid - don't mess with us!!! I'm sure that usher is looking forward to the relative calm of Metallica next week at the HP.

Mnkyface - That was hysterical. Fair play to the lady in question and bloody quick thinking by the “husband” and “daughter” I bet that usher just stood that with a “what the hell happened there” expression on his face.

[Mollydog]

I'm back to work today and am still on an incredible high! What an amazing few days, I haven't laughed so much in years. I enjoyed the whole Las Vegas/San Jose experience so much but the highlight has to be Closing Time. I had no idea when I was recruited to take part that there were so many others involved. What fun, I just love watching the video. Leonard's face when this is happening is priceless!

It was wonderful to spend the time with so many amazing, warm, passionate and funny people! Roll on 2010!

Mary

[sturgess66]

Here is my video of Partisan. Awful quality - my camera is the WORST. Sound is ok though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83Z7jOm4f2U

Thanks Esther - I saw this on YouTube and was just going to post it here. And you video captures a funny little scene at the very end - Mickey (or someone) scurrying off stage with the double bass.

I love your story about that usher.

[Actually]

I'm back home...

[Mollydog]

Great video, Esther! Did anyone else notice the change in lyrics in both Las Vegas and San Jose? I hadn't heard this before. Instead of "then we'll come from the shadows" he sang:

Oh, the wind, the wind is blowing,
through the graves the wind is blowing,
freedom soon will come;
then we'll return to the shadow.

Yes, the wind, the wind is blowing,
through the graves the wind is blowing,
freedom soon will come;
then we'll go back to the shadow.

(Glad to hear that you got home safely, Nico!)

[Fil]

hi !
Here am I, back home, and feeling already nostalgic, thinking about this staggering, tremendous, awesome, and dazzling night in San José !

Here is my humbled and small, compare to the beautiful film mentioned before. It's just to remember the way and the moment the magic started :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ke-BnJBy70

Thanks to all of you for contributing to make it a great, cheerful and crazy show !

Philippe

[CinCin]

San Jose was awesome. Cohen fans are the best, with or without professional diagnosis. Mary B, thanks for including us in the great shirt caper, Arlene and Albert thanks for the clips, Di, thanks for yelling what we were all thinking! And thanks so much for the light sticks, that was wonderful.

[tinderella]

Arlene, I loved your videos . Closing Time was brilliant. Oh I would loved to have been there. The laughter in the video is wonderful also. Well done ladies and your blouses . Bet Leonard and the whole band loved it.

[QQAudreyQQ]

Oh Esther, I'm SO glad that you captured The Partisan on video! This was the song where I suddenly fell in love the whole experience and realized that attending a live concert was zillions of times better than listening to Leonard's songs on CD. I will listen to this video over and over and over. Thanks, you have made my day!

[sturgess66]

"rpan1000" on YouTube just posted a video that captures Leonard's banter at the beginning of the second set - before he sings "Tower of Song" -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0elQVLRGQ8

[ladydi]

Hey Esther...

Your video is great of "Partisan" except it does miss that first short French verse! Either that or I'm missing it again. At the time I recorded it easily and completely in my mind....it was only a few words, and very understandable if one even has simply a basic understanding of French. And then, of course, I completely forgot the entire phrase!

What hit me was that you were having to film between me and Lizzy...lots of stray hairs flying around! Sorry.

An evening to remember forever! So glad we were all there!!!

[lizzytysh]

What a phenomenal night. That's all I can say right now. Still searching for words that even come close to all the emotions I experienced. It's not the last concert for Leonard, but with the economy the way it is ~ and even though "one never knows" ~ who knows but what it will be the last concert for me. Before I knew about 2010, and even after I knew about 2010, it came to feel absolutely crucial, imperative, that I be there. Every penny of indebtedness was well directed.


~ Lizzy

[ladydi]

We will always have San Jose....