Royal Albert Hall 1972

[jarkko]

I have posted two magnificent concert photos
by the Finnish photographer Ilpo Musto, shot at
Albert Hall in 1972. These are some of the best Cohen
photos I've ever seen. Direct link:
http://www.leonardcohenfiles.com/musto.html

[lizzytysh]

Oh, my dear Jarkko, Leonard's preciousness gleams, and emanates out, through these photographs. Ilpo's description of the concert creates the ambience that the photographs don't really even need, yet still adds to them. I can feel being there. Look at the expression on Bob Johnston's face ~ a blend of admiration, enchantment, and joy, of being in the moment with Leonard as he sings. Oh, to have had the incredible experience of being there with him, merging with his creations. I am always stunned to look into the photographs of him. These are exemplary.

I agree that they are as you say ~ magnificent, and some of the best ever. It seems that it is very difficult to capture a true depth of uniqueness, warmth, and inner spirit, in concert photos. They so typically still end up with a kind of 'sterility' and looking like "concert photos," and there is something still unsatisfying about them. In person, the viewer is able to look past the surroundings and 'into' the being of the performer. In photos, however, the setting becomes very 'objectified,' which in turn often has a similar impact on the artist within it. The photographs so frequently end up being representations of 'the artist on the stage'; rather than capturing 'inside the artist'. These photos capture the art spirit and spiritual art of Leonard. The photos are art. It's a nebulous phenomenon that I'm attempting to describe here; yet Ilpo somehow managed to circumvent the predominance in the presence and energy of equipment, microphones, and the surface upon which they all stood ~ and went straight to the heart.

Beautiful.

~ Elizabeth

[Frankie Lee]

When I look at the photographs I can hear Leonard's voice. It's like catching a glimpse of the past, a very beautiful glimpse of a time when I wasn't born.

Thanks, Frankie

[lizzytysh]

[An "edited" line, just for the addition of a comma ~ oh well.]

I was born, and did hear Leonard's voice, Frankie. However, when I saw him, it was in a smoke-filled room with black walls. Very dramatic and Leonard-like at the time; yet, these photos capture something still different. I don't like to lament about not being able to see him again, and to wail for him to please tour; but I'd so love for those like you, who were never able to, to get that opportunity. For myself, I'd love to experience feeling the peace he has finally attained, which would be present now, as he sings.

~ Elizabeth

[altinkum]

I took a look at the slide show, they were excellent. I just wish I could take shots like that. I keep saying once I get a really good digital camera I'm going to produce masterpieces

Wendy

[Anne]

Great pictures. Thanks for posting them, Jarkko.

[John Etherington]

The picture of Leonard with the guitar is possibly the best early picture of him that I've ever seen. As I recall, I was sitting about 8 rows back for this concert (slightly off-centre to the left). It's incredible that someone could be sitting further back, and still get pictures of this calibre!
John E

[Paula]

Was this the concert that "Bird on a Wire" was filmed. I went to the RAH for that concert and sat in the second row the first row was obliterated by film camera crews.

[lizzytysh]

I know you're not complaining, Paula .

I was thinking the same thing, John ~ the quality given the distance. Thanks be to those who manage to sneak in a camera from time-to-time.

Yes, the man and his guitar, his solitude and seriousness, remind me of his, "I came so far for beauty" ~ all sacrifices included.

~ Elizabeth

[Paula]

At the time Lizzie I was complaining quite a lot. The arc lights were so bright and the cameras were so big you couldn't see anything.

I remember at one of his concerts at the RAH the audience in the Gods were shouting that the sound system was not too good up there and Leonard said come down to any empty seats in the downstairs. Chaos ensued.

I still have the ticket stubs!!!

I took some photos at that concert and bearing in mind I was close to the stage. All I got was a picture of darkness which if you squint your eyes you can just make out the colour of his guitar. The pictures that Ilpo has taken are amazing and I am with you Lizzie thank God people with good cameras take pictures and capture the moment. My Brownie box camera is no use at all

[lizzytysh]

~ I used to have one of those Brownie box cameras . I know too well those kind of pictures, too . Well, with that description you've given, I guess the first row can mess up the second row's experience quite a bit ! Bummer.

[John Etherington]

Amendment to my post above...I've just realised that the 1972 concert was the one where I slept outside the Albert Hall to get tickets! (the only time I ever did this). Therefore, I must have been in the second or third row (it must have been '74 where I was slightly futher back). And a question for Paula! If you were in the second row, did you sleep out, too?

[Paula]

John I didn't sleep out. My mate Maureen bought me the tickets for my 18th birthday. Every time I have been to see Leonard at the RAH I have never had to sleep out but I always got good tickets. As soon as I knew he was on I would phone the ticket office to find out when they were on sale and went down there early on that day. When I saw him at Hammersmith Odeon I was right at the back and when I saw him at Victoria I had good tickets.

At the 1972 concert I was sat on a wooden chair in front of the stage.

[lizzytysh]

Give me that wooden chair.

[Anth]

Nice Photos. But I prefer Vlad Arghir