Tsdhav wrote:Friday afternoon in Norwich after Thursday night in Manchester. The sun is shining so I could get some work and go and sit outside. Naaah. Thought I'd just post here. I'm one of those who joined the files around the time the Guardian offer appeared. Opportunistic? I guess. But I have really enjoyed keeping up with the tour through the files.
I took my partner last night. She claims to only like happy music. But I suspect things may have changed because tears streamed down her cheeks now and then during the concert. As she said on the way back to the hotel - "I think he's been reading my diaries". Me? Feel really honoured to have been there to see a sprightly 73 year old LC run onto the stage. A few thoughts from the night:
1. How does he remember the lyrics!!!? I guess being a poet for all those years means he has a natural inclination towards that skill. But, man, those songs are not simple twelve bar blues lyrics . I'm twenty years younger than him and can't always remember the planet I'm on never mind over two and a half hours of complex lyrics.
2. How come his voice is so strong? Given that it was reduced to a whisper on Dear Heather how come it was so goooooooood last night. Has he been to the same clinics rumoured for Keith Richards and Mugabe? Is there a secret we should know and learn from? Is in on Mount Baldy? Or in the unmade bed in the Chelsea Hotel? Or is it all about keeping your heart the shape of a begging bowl? I was at the Albert Hall in 93 and 08 is at least as good as then. The overall performance was better last night than in 93. Hmmm... actually it was better than almost anything else I've heard since 1993 .... errr... maybe, when the dust settles, better than anything else....maybe not.
3. Did anyone not feel a chill during a thousand kisses deep? How about a video of LC sat reading his lyrics? There a lots of ways to recreate a great pension fund with very dignified product. (I speak as a marketing consultant). Dear Heather might work better this way than as a CD.
4. I learnt something new from the concert. The true importance of humility in a legend. Initially it was a bit boring to hear the constant band introductions. However by the end it all made sense. That band and crew make Mr Cohen look really really good. The overall sound is the perfect vehicle for LC. It must feel great to be in front of it and anyone with any humilty just would not be able to stop themselves drawing the audience's attention to it.
5. Highlights? No, for me it was constant pleasure from start to finish. Professional to the nth degree but as human and soulful as it could be. Having said that both my partner and I talked more about Boogie Street than anything. I know we didn't get Famous Blue Raincoat last night and I'd be interested to know how well it fitted earlier in the week. Personally I like the song but it is dated and a bit odd for a 73 year old man to sing convincingly (go on, tell me he did sing it convincingly earlier in the week!). I grew up with the older songs but many of the latter songs are clearly at least as good or superior.
6. Is the "definition of sensual" LC looking at Sharon Robinson and the Webb Sisters and imploring them "Don't stop... Don't stop". He may ache where he used to play but LC still has spiritual sexual charm.
7. The boy with a dream has finally come of age. Let's hope he still needs to chase new dreams. But if not, he's done enough and deserves a long and happy retirement. I salute you Mr Cohen. And will be reporting again for duty in Edinburgh and London.
Terry
Feelin' good
Nicely done, Terry. Also there on Thursday night and the experience was everything I, and my partner, had hoped for (much, much more). If I we didn't have tickets for Edinburgh, I suspect we'd be looking at the razor blade counter today....
A lot has already been written here about the Manchester concerts, so I will not say much now, except that I was genuinely baffled by newbie Brodharley's comments on page seven of this thread - just goes to show how easy it is to be in the same place and have a different experience! We were in the gallery on Thursday and the atmos was simply wonderful; dense, rich and grateful. I only hope it's not the best concert I've ever been to, because Edinburgh, and beyond, still beckon, but if it was, what a good best concert it was.....
