Leonard's Segues, Interludes, and Thank You's

[justinburnett]

It's the talking in between the songs, and the other bits of atmsophere, that make live recordings worthwhile for me. It creates a sort of intimacy between the artist and the audience. You get a sense of the person behind the music, and sometimes gain some extra context and understanding of the songs themselves. These are some of the reasons why I quite enjoy Cohen's first live album, absolutely hate the second (sounds like it's been soaked in disinfectant until all trace of life is gone), and am iffy about the third. As far as I'm concerned, the only way to listen to live recordings is as a complete show. Some of the best live albums ever released are Johnny Cash's prison albums (Folsom Prison and San Quentin, especially). You can hear the energy, the tension, the danger in the air. They even leave in the announcements over the PA and the sounds of the inmates shuffling back to their cells at the end of the show. Sure, the songs on their own are great, but the magic comes from the complete package.

On the advice of this thread, I'm currently downloading the Helsinki '93 show. From the tracks I've heard, it sounds like a good one.

Take care
-J-

[davideo]

I think it was 1972 in Halifax, Canada. When Leonard was brought a needed glass of water, he tipped/spilled a bit before drinking, as a gesture of sharing it with the audience. I liked that. And, at the beginning of the concert, he mentioned how he felt (glad) about seeing his name in lights, something, he said, that he'd always wanted to see! Not so long after that there was a free Leonard Cohen concert at Carleton University in Ottawa (Canada) and, at some point a violin had broke, and they hadn't brought a spare, so he inquired of the audience whether someone might be able to provide them with another one. He also mentioned that he wanted to warn people off of amphetamines... that " I prefer something with a little more 'guilt', myself ". (Having left the likes behind, I'm still struggling with the nicotine curse - and its probable contribution to tumors) Dave

[lizzytysh]

Your rendering of Leonard shows such a strong blend of character and gentility. So charming, his tipping/spilling of the water to include the audience. You just can't hear those things on studio recordings. Even though you couldn't 'hear' that, either, I'm certain something came through in his voice, in a Live recording of that concert.

[Rob]

I have been listening to Leonard in London, Feb. 26th 1985. Throughout the second half a woman in the audience shouts "LADY MIDNIGHT!" after each song, provoking some amusing responses. Here are just a few.

"LADY MIDNIGHT!"
LC, "I love your persistence, you would make a perfect wife,
I need someone to keep me going, for the rest of my life"

"LADY MIDNIGHT!"
LC, "I remember you. Your persistence has become a virtue. It inspires us all"

"LADY MIDNIGHT!"
LC, "If you say that one more time I'm going to play for another three hours"

And when he was saying his thank you's to the technical staff....

"LADT MIDNIGHT!"
LC, "I want to thank lady midnight, for applauding with her voice, the persistence of her spirit, for the timbre of her heart, please darling, come behind the stage, I will whisper the words to you.."

Rob.

[lizzytysh]

Dear Rob ~

Leonard in London, Feb. 26th 1985

Please put this one on my list . Seriously .

Thanks !

~ Elizabeth

[Rob]

Consider it done.
Rob.

[lizzytysh]

Thank you very much, Rob. Anything that has him talking to the audience or his musicians is of interest to me. Anything that has him talking ~ period.

~ Lizzy