CONCERT REPORTS: Paris September 28, 29, 30, 2012

[Prospera]

Here's the URL of the Amsterdam version Partisansong of Paris
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6G3uoF9j28

and a lot more songs here viewtopic.php?f=61&t=32575&start=30
njoy

[rpan]

Just back from second night in Paris. This was just incredible concert I thought, out of this world. Nothing new sung, no Joan of Arc alas but just fantastic performances, very intense, some of it more spoken than sung almost. Different Sides as an encore was great to hear.

The real joy was the venue, so lovely and intimate. And after Wembley and Dublin the audience were wonderful. Wildly enthusiastic between numbers and at the encore stage but hear a pin quiet during them, next to nobody heckling or moving in and out during the performance anywhere near me, great.

Lots of floral offerings for Mr Cohen and a few funny moments, especially First we take Manhattan which went a little bit awry!

Hope some video appears soon. As someone said of yesterday, it was just magic.

[Prospera]

looking forward for the funny moments and the intimate beautiful ones.

[BrokenBanjo]

Just got back to my hotel. I'm glad I picked the Olympia over the larger venues. It felt really intimate, nice atmosphere. Only hitch was the queue for tickets with TopBillet didn't open until 7pm and was slow, holding up the beginning of the concert.
Other than that, everything was excellent, sound quality wonderful. Very different to my only previous concert in Belfast: the Paris audience was younger on average, very respectful and more reserved during the songs, but applauded and cheered in the right places and times, before the encores where they stood,clapped, cheered and sang along. Clearly Partisan is the most popular with the French audience, but Hallelujah got big cheers too. I think only four songs from Old Ideas, which was surprising.
Those who have tickets for tomorrow night are in for a treat. If you're picking up your tickets via top billet, get there at 1900h sharp. (If you ordered tickets from the Olympia box office, it's open from at least 5.30).

[Mabeanie1]

I've posted the detailed setlist for the second night over on the Setlists thread so just a quick summary here. Sets 1 & 2 were the same as for the first night but the second encore included Different Sides & Closing Time in place of If It Be Your Will and Save the Last Dance respectively.

Another great night at Paris Olympia. The audience were livelier without being over the top and it is a joy to see the show in such a small venue. We don't get many opportunities like this.

Wendy

[Mabeanie1]

I think only four songs from Old Ideas, which was surprising.

Five in fact, for what it's worth:

Darkness
Amen
Come Healing
Going Home
Different Sides

Those who have tickets for tomorrow night are in for a treat. If you're picking up your tickets via top billet, get there at 1900h sharp. (If you ordered tickets from the Olympia box office, it's open from at least 5.30).

Note that the concert tomorrow starts one hour earlier, at 19:00 so you'll need to pick up your tickets at 18:00.

It was good to meet you BrokenBanjo!

Wendy

[sturgess66]

From Camp Cohen


On For Night Two


The Professor Mitch Watkins warms up the digits backstage at the Olympia.

http://leonardcohen.tumblr.com/post/325 ... to-lecture

[bridger15]

More videos from Friday night:
First We take Manhattan
Who By Fire (Javier Mas solo)
Ring The Bells

What a magical night Paris yesterday!!!!
Here's a clip of The Partisan!

I have watched and enjoyed all these videos posted by "olive31" but wasn't sure who the actual videographer was.
It turns out they were shot by olive31 himself, aka Olivier who is OldIdeas2012 on YouTube.
So now I would like to say... Outstanding videos, Olivier. Thank you for posting them.

---Arlene

[cohenadmirer]

More videos from Friday night:
First We take Manhattan
Who By Fire (Javier Mas solo)
Ring The Bells

Just want to say thankyou for the videos , which not only capture the performance well , but also give a great sense of the iconic venue

[racerbear02]

A truly excellent concert, over 3 1/2 hours with the intermission. Excellent venue, attentive and enthusiastic audience.

Mabeanie1 must have been very unlucky with the usher because there was nothing like that visible last night, happily but early on, there were people being told to turn cameras off, I am pleased to say that after the lights went down there were many little screens visible, I just hope that they get posted somewhere so that we can all enjoy the experience again.

The overall impression for me was that the the concert lacked some of the energy and vitality of the previous ones I have been privileged to watch from the earlier tours, the arrangements were slower and more deliberate than previously, possibly in response to a voice getting a bit older, certainly Leonard Cohen seemed to actually 'sing' less and 'speak' more. 'The Partisan' drew the expected standing ovation but for me it was somehow flat and lacking in vibrancy.

Before people think I am just running down the concert, let me say that nothing could be further from the truth, the arrangements for all of the new songs were, in my opinion, much better than on the album. 'Darkness' was particularly fine.

Again some virtuoso performances from all the supporting musicians and singers, again acknowledged by Cohen and valued by the audience, but I have to say that I did miss Dino Soldo's input.

Same venue, same city again in 2013 please Leonard

[sturgess66]

Video uploaded by webptichka - Thanks!

Sept 28

I'm Your Man
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgwggO3WGxM

[sturgess66]

For Sept 29th show - link for set list - at Setlist.fm -

http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/leonard-c ... dd53d.html

[sturgess66]

From Chris Bynum's Facebook - Roscoe Beck's standup double bass is put back in good health by Luthier James Chauvelin in Paris -



https://www.facebook.com/chris.bynum.963

[maroo]

wow!!
great videos, and great venue...I have been to Olympia once, and I in my opinion that was the best venuo of all the tour!!!
Anyway, thanks to share that fantastic video!!!

Piero

[olive31]

Here's The Future with Leonard speaking in French to welcome and thank the audience!
Sorry I had to hide my camera during a few seconds as I had to stand up to let some people go.
I can't believe the ushers went on seating people in the middle of the songs!!!