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Re: Is it becoming slightly stale?
Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2013 6:13 pm
by Maulwurf
music is boring when heard too many times.
no matter if it's mozart, bubble gum, leonard cohen or the miserable orchestra of the John Doe Junior High from Somewhereville in the beautiful state of Unknownistan.
no matter how much you love the tunes and the words - usually they don't change. we do change.
maybe it's not staleness, but satiation.
Re: Is it becoming slightly stale?
Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2013 6:24 pm
by Hartmut
LHHUNTER wrote:I always remember thinking during the last show in Vegas 2010 wound'nt it be fun if he ran out wearing a white suit and hat for the second act.

Or in an Elvis costume.
Re: Is it becoming slightly stale?
Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2013 7:22 pm
by yentek
I am a lifelong LC fan - since 1968 or 1969 - I forget. I have been to eight concerts since the current tour began. Last Saturday in Oakland will be my last LC gig unless there is a substantial restructuring of the concert format, set list, etc. They have been fantastic and I never thought I would ever get to see him again - but I have now had enough. My next concert is Sixto Rodriguez!
Re: Is it becoming slightly stale?
Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 12:58 pm
by James T
I've seen many bands 10-20 times and it's usual for the setlist to stay identical for a whole tour even though they're playing maybe for an hour less. If LC was playing for only 2 hours, I'm sure there would be major changes every night, but he has enough time to play almost all the songs he wants and that they're comfortable with. Also, I've sen 4 shows at various stages throughout the tour and it's always been a little different in terms of setlist. This tour is quite different to the initial one anyway because of all the new material he has to offer. What's the problem? How many songs do you expect to change?
I like them to change and would appreciate maybe a couple more, but most of the songs played I would miss greatly at an LC show if they were dropped.
Re: Is it becoming slightly stale?
Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 3:53 pm
by amcgee
here are 3 random setlist from 3 different years and essentially the format are the same, although a few different song.
random setlist for2012
Set 1
Dance me to the end of love
Going home
The Future
Bird on a wire
Everybody knows
Who by fire
Darkness
Amen
Come healing
I can't forget
Different Sides
Anthem
Set 2
Tower of song
Suzanne
Crazy to love you
Heart with no companion
The Gypsy Wife
The Partisan
Democracy
Coming back to you (Webb Sisters)
Alexandra leaving (Sharon Robinson)
I'm your man
Hallelujah
Take this waltz
Encore 1
Marianne
First we take Manhattan
Encore 2
Famous blue raincoat
If it be your will (Webb Sisters)
Closing time
Encore 3
I tried to leave you
Save the last dance for me
Encore 4
Sisters of mercy
Waiting for the miracle
random setlist for 2010
Dance Me to the End of Love
The Future
There Ain't No Cure for Love
Bird on the Wire
Everybody Knows
In My Secret Life
Who By Fire
BORN IN CHAINS (Tour debut & World Premiere)
Chelsea Hotel #2
Waiting for the Miracle
Anthem (No "The Flood")
Set 2
Tower of Song
Suzanne
Sisters of Mercy
The Gypsy's Wife
Feels So Good
The Partisan
Boogie Street
Hallelujah
I'M Your Man
Take this Waltz
Encores I
So Long Marianne
First We Take Manhattan
Encores II
Famous Blue Raincoat
If It Be Your Will
Closing Time
Encore III
I Tried To Leave You
random setlist for 2009
Dance Me To The End Of Love
• The Future
• Ain't No Cure For Love
• Bird On The Wire
• Everybody Knows
• In My Secret Life
• Who By Fire
• Chelsea Hotel #2
• Waiting For The Miracle
• Anthem
Second Set
• Tower Of Song
• Suzanne
• Sisters Of Mercy
• The Partisan
• Boogie Street
• Hallelujah
• I'm Your Man
• Take This Waltz
First Encores
• So Long, Marianne
• First We Take Manhattan
Second Encores
• Famous Blue Raincoat
• If It Be Your Will
• Closing Time
Final Encores
• I Tried To Leave You
• Whither Thou Goest (tutti a cappella)
Re: Is it becoming slightly stale?
Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 4:44 pm
by musicmania
Taking the 3 random concerts you have chosen amcgee and between them a total of 43 different songs of which only 22 were sang every night making for 21 changes. Some of the songs were sung at 2 concerts. However I think this demonstrates that the set list does change. I've seen Leonard a number of times over the last few years and have never felt the set list is stale or in need of changing. Of course like most people there are songs I've never heard live which I'd love to but I can say that for any of the artists I've seen live including Bruce Springsteen who radically changes set lists each night. I'm just eternally grateful that Leonard is touring and that we have the chance to witness excellent performances night after night.
Re: Is it becoming slightly stale?
Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 5:11 pm
by LHHUNTER
In all three examples each set starts and finishes with the same song. The first encore is identical every concert - no exceptions, so we always know the show format. Roscoe Beck does the same bass solo at the end of Who by Fire every night. The band are always introduced during Anthem the same way every night. We even get to know all the stage crew now by name; in 2012 they even came on stage which I thought ridiculous. If LC wants to thank them he should behind the scenes not on stage. They're mentioned in the tour programme anyway which is more than enough. I think the tour desperately needs some "New Ideas".
Re: Is it becoming slightly stale?
Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 5:20 pm
by Rodin
Easy then, if you think it is stale, don't go to the gig.
Leave it for new fans.
Re: Is it becoming slightly stale?
Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 5:27 pm
by amcgee
fair point, but wouldn't it be nice if he started first set with a different song, or the second set with a different song, or the encores... the essential parts of the show are the same, in fact nearly all his comments at concerts are the same.
this cannot be denied.
if he came back to ireland , of course i would go and enjoy it, but wouldn't it be nice if you couldn't predict whats the first song, or what comments he will make...etc or what the first song of the second set would be, or the encores and the last song. it is getting a bit predictable, however Cohen doesn't have a vast ray of songs to choose from to change it as much as Springten, bearing in mind , he will only sing a song tht he feals confortable
amcgee
Re: Is it becoming slightly stale?
Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 5:38 pm
by LHHUNTER
Actually despite my slightly negative view on this thread I'm still looking forward to two concerts in Rome and Hamburg. With a bit of luck LC will have read my comments by then and so will put on a special unique show just for me these nights

Re: Is it becoming slightly stale?
Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 10:23 pm
by Caren
The fact that Leonard takes the time to thank the main crew members and even mentions their names has always left a positive impression on me. I go to lots of non LC concerts every year and quite a few bands do this in one way or another but never to the extend Leonard does. It proves once again that he plays in a class of his own.
Re: Is it becoming slightly stale?
Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 10:41 pm
by cohenadmirer
I listen to various bootleg recordings over and over and can always be moved even though i've heard the exact same thing before
Each concert we are lucky enough to attend is totally precious and the effect of being there lasts a long time - my next one will be in 5 weeks and that in itself is lifting my already comfortable quality of life !
Couldn't be less stale
Often I welcome repetition......... Hope he starts performing ' the partisan' again ...would miss that if it continues to be excluded
Re: Is it becoming slightly stale?
Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2013 1:15 am
by Cheshire gal
I couldn't imagine a Leonard Cohen concert without 'Dance Me To The End Of Love' being the first song. It sets the whole mood and is very exciting to watch and listen to. Ditto for 'Tower of Song' beginning the second half of the concert. Any minor changes elsewhere are fine with me. I would like to have more from the 'Old Ideas' album though.
Re: Is it becoming slightly stale?
Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2013 1:28 am
by Hartmut
James T wrote:If LC was playing for only 2 hours, I'm sure there would be major changes every night, but he has enough time to play almost all the songs he wants and that they're comfortable with.
Good point.
James T wrote:This tour is quite different to the initial one anyway because of all the new material he has to offer. What's the problem? How many songs do you expect to change?
Well, for starters, he could have played all the 'Old Ideas' songs - especially if the tour bears that name ...
Re: Is it becoming slightly stale?
Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2013 1:38 am
by Bonn1979
I wish that they play from time to time all the songs that are listed on the printed set-lists, like
There is a war, passing through, one of us cannot be wrong, Field Commander Cohen or Tonight will be fine,
but I would even be satisfied if Mitch get in Oberhausen the guitar-solo in Hallelujah, and not again that damned H-B3,
but I´m afraid that I have to stick then again my fingers in my ears!