Songs From the Road - new live album - Sept 14, 2010

[sharon.e]

*****************************************************************************************************
POTENTIAL SPOILER ALERT
‘Songs from the Road’ arrived to Israel on September 2nd and I rushed to get my copy.
This is my review following watching it. though I don't disclose any details that should be kept as surprise, like the 'Backstage Sketch' (even not repeating some that were revealed on the official trailer)- if you wish to know absolutely nothing about it until you watch it yourself for the first time, this is the place to stop, I won’t be offended…
*****************************************************************************************************

I know I was smiling when I removed the plastic cover off the pack. I didn’t realize I was still wearing that smile ‘til the ending note of the DVD arrived and I realized my cheeks slightly hurt..
With that excitement, I share my impressions.

The beautiful cover photo by Dominique Issermann we got a glimpse at from the official PR is accompanied by additional ones, just as beautiful, mostly by her and some by Lorca Cohen. The booklet opens with preface by Leon Wieseltier from The New Republic and proceeds with Ed Sanders’ Producers Notes, written like a mini-journal, explaining his song choices.

The fact that the first track is ‘Lover Lover Lover’ from Israel threw me back almost one year in time (how did a year go by this fast??). We’re 2 days away from the High Holidays during which the concert took place - the unmistakable atmosphere in the air that precedes them is already here and that thought alone filled me with tears of excitement.
Any song chosen from this concert would be pure magic. They were all stellar. Some had more local significance than others, and such is ‘Lover Lover Lover’ – written following LC’s time in Israel during the Yom Kippur War in 1973, absorbed with layers over layers of meanings:
To name a few among many I personally see: This war was such a bloody battlefield, the toll in human lives was so enormous, LC was at the frontier, singing to soldiers; he could have not escaped the sights of death.. Name in Judaism has tremendous meaning, some believe it has the power to grant life or call death. If one changes his name, one changes his destiny and may start over.. Yom Kippur was 3 days after the concert, making the song’s presence on the setlist even more significant.

Pushing Play
I didn’t know they had cameras way up at the very top of the stadium taking aerial shots. The track opens with beautiful black and white shots of this huge stadium which LC and band transformed into a holy haven that night, measuring its size, focusing on an abundance of happy faces and tens of thousands clapping hands. With the first notes of the song, the picture is brought to full colored life, focuses on the stage; you can hear the clapping pick up the beat and then the camera moves towards the crowd, where you don’t only hear, but also see that sea of hands holding green glowing light sticks clapping in unison.
It’s few seconds into the DVD and I’m already having a wow moment…

With the applause marking the end of this magnificent déjà-vu, I took a virtual passport in hand and went on a joyous voyage around the world, song after song, enjoying the many cameras that are evidently in the house, providing abundance of unique angles and great close-ups that magnify the beauty of each performance and echo Ed’s comments on what led him pick that particular song over others..

People who were at concerts included in the DVD may wonder why one song was chosen over another, as well as other songs not being included at all.
True, there are concerts we all agree that a certain song or moment was the “it” moment of the evening, but I find this mostly a matter of personal taste rather than a universal one. Personally, I wouldn’t mind having full length recording of every single concert.. I don’t envy Ed’s mission of choosing only 12 songs out of nearly 200 magical nights and am very happy with the choices.
With one possible exception slight wondering about ‘Closing Time’- a fitting last track. Those of us who were in San Jose will probably always wonder why the blouse throwing galore is only mentioned in Ed’s comments and didn’t make it in

Backstage Sketch:
Now here’s a real treat. “Notes from the Ground” has been allowing us a photographic sneak peek to the tour’s backstage since the recent summer leg started, and this is a rare opportunity to see live footage from backstage life: tidbits, anecdotes, and mini-interviews with some band and crew members. Watching it makes you feel like you’re watching live footage documenting moments in the life of a big family – the synergy between them all is so evidently there, that even when you know for a fact it’s truly like that, it still makes you sigh with contentment and have that LC related smile come upon your face.. again…
Though filled with joy and wishing to share my feelings, I won’t, as I am afraid it would really be a spoiler. I will only say that Dino has a great comic side and his words, as well as others’, on what working with LC means for them really touched me. I was also in awe with a ritual conducted by LC they seem to have in the Green Room before going out to stage.


Some people asked me ‘why would you buy a DVD that has individual songs from different shows when you have a full length one in ‘Live in London’?’
Yeah, I know, a rhetorical question… But if there’s a slight chance you’re asking yourself the same thing – do not hesitate. Go ahead and get it. It isn’t meant to replace ‘Live in London’, but to be a faithful neighbor to it on your music shelf. Certain moods would lead to a certain selection and we’ll all keep pushing play - that’s how it goes, Everybody Knows..

Thanks Ed Sanders, Lorca Cohen and everyone who took part in producing this album. It’s a great Rosh HaShana gift.

Speedy album delivery wishes to you all,
--Sharon

[Cheshire gal]

Thank you Sharon,

Your report on the new Songs from the Road album makes me want my copy to come soon. I have a copy on order and cannot wait to see it. I love Live in London. It must be almost worn out by now (watched again last night) as I have not had the pleasure of being at a live concert. Hopefully real soon. It is the next best thing to being there. The whole tour, just being able to read everyones reports, pictures and videos is wonderful.

Thank you also for keeping some of it back so that we can enjoy it fully when we see it.

I also love Lover, Lover, Lover.

Marie
Cheshire gal

[sturgess66]

Uploaded to YouTube by "SonyMusicNorway"

For Norwegian TV spot -

Leonard Cohen - Songs From The Road
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86zV_XRIJ_M

[JJR]

It appears that Amazon in Germany have an audio only CD of Songs From the Road. The album art is a variation of the CD/DVD package. Is this available in any other territories?

http://www.amazon.de/Songs-Road-Leonard ... 160&sr=1-3

[sharon.e]

Thanks Marie,
I hope SFTR arrives fast to your mailbox, so you can enjoy it as much as I did.
As to attending a live concert: I don't know what are the reasons you didn't go, but with the tour coming to an end this year and no future dates in the horizon, I recommend whole heartedly to anyone, to do whatever it takes to attend at least one live concert.
it is such a phenomenal and unforgettable experience - it's a memory for alifetime.

All the best,
--Sharon

[sharon.e]

It appears that Amazon in Germany have an audio only CD of Songs From the Road. The album art is a variation of the CD/DVD package. Is this available in any other territories?

http://www.amazon.de/Songs-Road-Leonard ... 160&sr=1-3

JJR,
In Israel we have all versions mentioned in the official PR (CD, CD/DVD/ BlueRay and LP (that was the only one to not actually arrive to the stores, but is supposed to)).
Amazon.com has all to, I think.
You may want to try amazon.uk, despite the extra delivery cost.

Good luck
--Sharon

[Cheshire gal]

Hi Sharon.e,

I had never heard of Leonard till earlier this year. I have, however, made up for that since
Will be going to Las Vegas, both shows. I cannot believe my luck at getting the chance to see him and his wonderful compatriots before the tour ends.

Marie
Cheshire gal

[gui01]

I bought my copy of the cd/dvd package this morning in a big record store in Brussels (Belgium). The price is 14,90 EUR. The package also includes a "Fortune teller miracle fish".

For me this package is sublime & impeccable !

Greetings

Gui

[Bird off the Wire]

€13.99 in HMV, Dublin. My fish tells me I'm a 'Loving Person'

[LisaLCFan]

A "fortune teller miracle fish"?! That's awesome! And, Leonard Cohen, too! I can't wait to get a copy of this!

[sturgess66]

I just found this link from MarieM on FaceBook of the press kit video -
http://link.brightcove.com/services/pla ... 1240521001

Yes - I think I will go see this on the big screen.

[Puddingdale]

I had the "fortune teller miracle fish" too - bought the DVD in Germany. That nasty little thing claimed I was jealous and then made up its mind and decided I was in love Well, why didn't they include the option: "you are excited about your new DVD" ? That would have meant sure success for the little fish. Anyhow, what a weird extra...

I love the DVD as everybody else. I hadn't expected so many different camera angles and such very smooth and clever editing. So, I agree that owning Live In London is no reason to save money on this one. Even though none of the concerts I attended gets its song here, it still brings back memories and it is like a virtual glimpse of the world's audiences - one big family of "friends."
I have yet to see the Backstage Sketch. Surely, this will be my special Sunday treat today.

[199Dan]

I was lucky to win a copy of SFTR from the MIT radio station. It also has the fortune teller . A fun gift. What a great dvd. Already have friends wanting to borrow it, maybe in a few days! Love everything about this gift from LC to us. Peace.

[haoxiang21]

A LETTER TO MR. LEONARD COHEN


Dear Mr. Cohen,


My sister introduced your music to me in 1990’s at that time I was still in 20’s and still in China, and I found out that there were always sadness and beauties in your songs. Since my sister she was living in Sweden and I thought that you were a Swedish singer. When I moved to Canada, one day I realized that you are from Canada, and originally, from Quebec.

I love your music just like your other fans, especially the album Ten New Songs. Each of them has its indescribable beauty and lovely melody; I really can imagine a story about love in Chinese for all of them. So, I wrote down every word for those songs in Chinese and now I finished all the lyrics for ten songs.

Then one idea came into my head, if you can sing your songs in Chinese lyrics that would be a wonderful thing. I don’t know weather you would be interested in doing so or not. But I believe that it will be another legend for you if could do it.

I know you are very busy with your full show time schedule around the world. And I don’t know how to contact with you or your agent. So, I put this letter on your official web, if your team wants to contact with me, please feel free to e-mail or call me. I will be glad to send the Chinese lyrics to you. By the way, believe me, the Chinese lyrics are beautiful and sad as your English lyrics, and you will like them. Once again, I send my respect to you.





Yours truly,


Hao Xiang, TANG (Nick)

E-mail: haoxiang21@gmail.com
Tel: 514-7399916

[bridger15]

SPIN has published a sneak preview from SFTR - "Chelsea Hotel" at Royal Albert Hall.

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1RGwn9/ww ... pintwitter

Perhaps you will recognize some familiar faces when the camera pans the audience.

---Arlene