CONCERT REPORT: New York, Feb 19 at the Beacon

USA and Canada (April 1 - June 4, 2009). Special concert for fans in NYC (February 19). Concert reports, set lists, photos, media coverage, multimedia links, recollections...
Post Reply
User avatar
burningviolin
Posts: 740
Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2009 3:50 am
Location: Ireland.

Re: New York, February 19, 2009 - Beacon Theatre Show

Post by burningviolin »

Aaggh, thats such a cool photo!!I'm sitting here beaming as well!
2009 Liverpool 14/07/09, Dublin 20/07/09, Belfast 26/07/09, Lisbon 30/7/09, Barcelona 21/09/09.
2010 Sligo (x2), Lille 25/09/10 Las Vegas 11/12/2010
2012 Wembley 8/9/12, RHK 11/9/12
O2 London 2013 O2 Dublin 2013
"I've been where you're hanging, I think I can see how you're pinned."
User avatar
lizzytysh
Posts: 25531
Joined: Thu Jun 27, 2002 8:57 pm
Location: Florida, U.S.A.

Re: New York, February 19, 2009 - Beacon Theatre Show

Post by lizzytysh »

Hi again, Marie ~

I know your face and am wondering if it's because we talked, or because I just listened as you were talking with someone else... maybe Marie [the other one]? I keep looking and trying to bring it back which it was.

That is such a beautiful story and unbelievably good photo :D . I'm so glad you seized the moment 8) . You're very beautiful, and Leonard looks so handsome, healthy, and happy. You obviously had a very positive exchange. It's going to be some time before you normalize.


~ Lizzy
"Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken."
~ Oscar Wilde
dangallo
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Jan 23, 2009 12:49 am

Re: New York, February 19, 2009 - Beacon Theatre Show

Post by dangallo »

This is crazy...

I grew up really sheltered and hadn't heard of Leonard Cohen until about a year ago. I was listening to XM Radio and heard "Here It Is." I was pretty stunned by it. So I start researching this Leonard Cohen fella and realize what a legend I'd been missing out on.

In the past year, I've delved into his music, bought his albums, watched old interviews and read read read about him. I almost went to London to see him in November, but decided to be fiscally responsible and stayed home.

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw he was playing the Beacon! I bought a ticket even before seeing if I could take off work. Turns out I couldn't! So I had to squeeze in a trip to NYC between the end of work on Thursday and the beginning of work on Friday!

I left DC after work on Thursday by AmTrak-- the train was 1.5 hours late! I got to the show about 10 minutes late, passing all the crowds outside trying to get in-- and I realized how damn lucky I was.

The show was unbelieveable. I recognized every song he sang. That's such a rarity for me at a concert. When he recited "Thousand Kisses Deep," you could hear a pin drop in the theater.

After all the encores, I rushed outside to where I thought the stage exit would be. Within about 3 minutes of his exit off of stage, he was out the door! There were only a few people there and he signed autographs, including one for me on a ticket stub! I told him it was a beautiful show. What a gentleman. Here's a pic I snapped from my Blackberry.

http://twitpic.com/1lrot

I'm so in awe of a genius who respects his fans so much. Thank you L. Cohen for such a memorable evening! I'm a new fan...and your music has moved me.
Last edited by dangallo on Sun Feb 22, 2009 10:05 am, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
lizzytysh
Posts: 25531
Joined: Thu Jun 27, 2002 8:57 pm
Location: Florida, U.S.A.

Re: New York, February 19, 2009 - Beacon Theatre Show

Post by lizzytysh »

You're right, Dangallo, this IS crazy! The speed of your experience of learning about him, getting to know his work, and your miraculous attendance at the concert replicates in your great photo of Leonard, which captures so beautifully his own movement. Great shot!

I love these stories... and yours is so cool! Congratulations on meeting him and getting his autograph. You've, indeed, witnessed a legend.

I spoke of A Thousand Kisses Deep elsewhere... I guess maybe I oughta bring it to this thread.

Welcome to the Forum :D . You've found the right place. Then, there's Marie's site, which you'll also love, if you haven't seen it yet.


~ Lizzy
"Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken."
~ Oscar Wilde
User avatar
IrishAL
Posts: 185
Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2009 11:32 pm

Beacon Theatre Youtube links

Post by IrishAL »

Last edited by IrishAL on Mon Feb 23, 2009 11:58 pm, edited 3 times in total.
2008: Dublin x2 London Helsinki London RAH M'chester
2009:
New York Weybridge Dublin x2 Belfast Lisbon Bratislava, B'celona Chicago L' Vegas, San Jose
2010: Zagreb Sligo x2 Berlin Gent x2 Florence Marseille Katowice Bratislava L' Vegasx2
2012 Gent x2 Amsterdam X2 Dublin x4 Verona Paris x2,Boston
2013NewYork,Brussels,Prague,Vienna,Zurich,Manchester,Birmingham,Dublinx2,London,Rotterdam,Amsterdam
User avatar
anneporter
Posts: 3169
Joined: Thu Mar 13, 2008 10:36 pm
Location: at home by the sea

Re: New York, February 19, 2009 - Beacon Theatre Show

Post by anneporter »

Dangallo and Irishmar,

Your pictures say it all. Thank you.

Anne
Bill's Bar
Posts: 174
Joined: Thu Jul 31, 2008 11:41 am

Re: New York, February 19, 2009 - Beacon Theatre Show

Post by Bill's Bar »

Hi Marie

Along with you and a few others,I stood outside the Olympia in Paris on 24th Nov last, waiting on Leonard to appear after the show. That wait was in vain, but eventhough I am "slightly" envious, I am also very happy that you met the man himself in NY. It's a great photo and a vindication of your persistence. !! Glad to see your book survived to meet it's "maker".!

Al's "every "dog "will have it's day" comment gives me a bit of hope....................that life is not a "b***h"

Tony.
2008: Dublin 14/6, Lucca 27/7,Munich 6/10, Bournemouth 11/11, London 13/11 ,Paris 24/11.
2009: Quebec 21/5, Ottawa 26/5, Dublin 19/7,Venice 3/8, Barcelona 21/9, Nashville 5/11, St.Louis 7/11, San Jose 13/11
2010: Sligo 31/7,1/8.
iris
Posts: 84
Joined: Sun Jan 11, 2009 5:57 am

Re: New York, February 19, 2009 - Beacon Theatre Show

Post by iris »

Thank you all so much for sharing! I love the videos of IrishAl, and the foto`s some were able to make and the stories of short meetings with LC.
Unbelievable, so rarely that an artist exactly is what he sings. He is. Although there are hardly words left to describe it, I still can`t stop reading all your stories. Please continue?
here is your love for all this
2008 amsterdam/rotterdam, 2009 antwerpen, 2010 gent/dortmund, 2012 gent/amsterdam, 2013 antwerpen/oberhausen/rotterdam/amsterdam
iris
Posts: 84
Joined: Sun Jan 11, 2009 5:57 am

Re: Beacon Theatre Youtube links

Post by iris »

IrishAl, I just saw In my secret life....
Unbelievable...., as if he`s in the song, for the first time.
Thank you so much for sharing, can`t wait to see your other video`s
here is your love for all this
2008 amsterdam/rotterdam, 2009 antwerpen, 2010 gent/dortmund, 2012 gent/amsterdam, 2013 antwerpen/oberhausen/rotterdam/amsterdam
sue7
Posts: 397
Joined: Sat Feb 09, 2008 2:29 am
Location: New York City

Re: Beacon Theatre Youtube links

Post by sue7 »

IrishAl,
Thank you so so much. These are incredible videos. Can't wait for the rest. Hoping that you have Hallelujah....
I've enjoyed your videos from other concerts too.
euge
Posts: 26
Joined: Mon Aug 04, 2008 1:24 pm
Location: Ireland

Re: New York, February 19, 2009 - Beacon Theatre Show

Post by euge »

IrishMafr, I was truly delighted for you when I read of your account of meeting Leonard. Like you, we travelled over from Ireland just for the concert and found it to be an exhilarating and memorable experience. Back in March 1985, Leonard was performing in the National Stadium in Dublin as part of his European Tour. While we waited for the Stadium to clear following the show, we noticed a small group which had congregated near the edge of the stage. We strolled over and, to our great surprise, Leonard was in the "dressing room" signing autographs and talking to a small number of the concert goers. Unfortunately, in the days long before mobile phone cameras, we have no photos of the event. He cheerily signed autographs and spoke amiably with each individual in turn. Luckily, I recorded the conversation and still have it almost 24 years later. However much he may have changed in the intervening years, he evidently retains the graciousness, charisma and endearing respectfulness which characterised him back then. Long may you enjoy your treasured memories!
User avatar
lightning
Posts: 1355
Joined: Fri Jul 19, 2002 4:54 am
Location: New York City
Contact:

Re: Beacon Theatre Youtube links

Post by lightning »

Your videos are really fine, Al. You must have had the best seats. What kind of camera did you use?
I have posted some low quality videos on my account, clairedelune49, and provided complete lyrics and introduction to each song in the description, so maybe they have some value despite the poor videos from far back in the orchestra with silhouettes of heads in the way. I was too afraid of usher confiscation to bring a camcorder. I saw several people recording and did not see anyone hassled by an usher. Maybe they were too absorbed in the music or there was some kind of "hands-off" policy that came from somewhere.
Thanks for providing this high quality memory for people, should there not be a DVD.
Last edited by lightning on Wed Feb 25, 2009 8:14 am, edited 1 time in total.
ladydi
Posts: 2325
Joined: Tue Jul 22, 2008 11:14 pm

Re: New York, February 19, 2009 - Beacon Theatre Show

Post by ladydi »

Hi everyone!

One of us has recently said that Leonard "sings her soul". Well, on Thursday night my soul took flight and still hasn't completely come back to rest. To say that it was the best, the most awesome concert I've ever attended does not come close. I felt transported far beyond the moment onto a plane in which time and space do not exist. Everything moved as one and was one....the audience and those on the stage who were giving to us. I lost count of the standing ovations. The joy and love in the theater was so strong it could almost be felt. I'm sure Leonard felt it also as he smiled constantly. There was a fun repartee it seemed going on between Leonard and Dino! The band is incredible, the Webb sisters are truly sublime and I can't think of enough words of praise for Sharon Robinson! It was delightful to have a few words with her in the lobby, and her rendition of Boogie Street is spine-tingling.

Leonard is truly the Master. His words reach deep within your heart. His voice oozes sensuality. His humbleness and gentlemanliness touches your soul. He is gorgeous :D . Thank you Leonard and everyone connected with the show and AEG for a timeless concert that I will remember the rest of my life! His final blessing to us was beautiful.

One reason I think this concert will forever stand out is also due to the fabulous group of fans from the Forum who were in attendance! We ALL can't be at all the future concerts across the US and western Canada, but there were so many of us at the Beacon. It was such a pleasure to talk with so many of you and now I have faces to go with the names! What a truly wonderful group we are ;-) .....er, in all humility. Thank you so much Jarkko for giving us a "home" to come to, and to you and Marie (and many others around the world) for maintaining such a wealth of information regarding Leonard on the web!

A strange thing happened on Friday morning. I was describing the concert to a friend and suddenly realized I was crying! Then I cried over breakfast (and not because of the food!). Even now when I attempt to give words to my feelings of that night the tears come. I have never had such an intense reaction to one person. But perhaps it is more than Leonard....it's the words, the music, all on stage, and all of us.

Love to all,
Diana
vern.silver
Posts: 181
Joined: Mon Sep 16, 2002 10:58 pm
Location: Sault Ste Marie, Canada

Re: New York, February 19, 2009 - Beacon Theatre Show

Post by vern.silver »

I was standing inside the entrance to the Beacon trying to see the person I had promised my extra ticket to - they wouldn't let me out to look. I talked to one of the security persons who said I would have to wait until the crowd cleared before he could help me look.

While standing there, an older man was talking to another security person. He looked like a street person who had stumbled in by mistake - though I knew that could not be the case. A person who identified himself as a manager approached them, and as I 'overheard' their conversation, this older gentlemen identifed himself as Bob Johnston, the producer of two of Leonards early albums, Songs from a Room and Songs of Love and Hate. He was asking to see Leonard, but the manager told him it would be impossible. I don't know what happened after that as I was finally able to connect with the person I had the ticket for.

When I got home, I did a google search, and sure enough I found a photo, and it was the man. Now, as I write this, I wish I had said something to him. After all, Songs of Love and Hate is my favourite LC album!!

Here is the photo I found. Left to Right: "Producer Bob Johnston, Harper Simon (Paul Simon's son,) Bijou Philips (daughter of Mama and Papas John Philips) and BMI's Shelby Kennedy. The photo is from August 2006.

Image

Vern
"Clarence said a striking thing about rowing that I've always valued ... that he liked rowing because you were approaching life backward. You could clearly see the past, and you glanced quickly at the future over your shoulder.' Jim Harrison.
User avatar
lightning
Posts: 1355
Joined: Fri Jul 19, 2002 4:54 am
Location: New York City
Contact:

Re: New York, February 19, 2009 - Beacon Theatre Show

Post by lightning »

Lucky that street appearing person could afford to get past the door. Many people from era are long gone from the earth or from New York due to finances. I hardly saw anyone familiar except Ratso Sloman who did some writing for Leonard sometime in the past, I forget exactly what.
Post Reply

Return to “The North American Tour 2009”