CONCERT REPORT: London, RAH, November 17-18

[Womanfromaroom]

Roomwoman and LadyDi - I am not allowed to give any further information. Only this: There is a rumor that Leonard will give a benefit concert for bankrupt LC fans in the autumn of 2009 here in Europe.

Oh, good! I would definitely qualify for that one!

[ladydi]

Ah yes...that German humour

I am sure there will be enough of us to fill a complete concert hall. Hopefully free food will be provided

[jarkko]

is that just another example of German humour, or are you by any chance being serious

I think this photo of Henning and Mickey_One at the Indian restaurant last Sunday gives you the answer!

[Womanfromaroom]

Well, yes, thanks, Jarkko! No more questions, your picture is really telling enough...
Ah, then I will just have to hope for concerts as "close" as, say, Israel... And I guess I am still not the only one who would love the idea!

[Ophelia]

Having read some people's complaints about being distracted by the behaviour of certain members of the audience, I am pleased to report that I managed to restrain myself from throwing my knickers onto the stage!

[mickey_one]

is that just another example of German humour, or are you by any chance being serious

I think this photo of Henning and Mickey_One at the Indian restaurant last Sunday gives you the answer!

hey, are you holding my hand, Henning. or is it just me holding myself, as usual?



O2 Front Row
RAH On the Stage
Vatican City 75th Row
Lichtenstein 76th Row
San Marino 77th Row
Luxembourg 78th Row
Canterbury Cathedral In the Altar Box
Wembley Stadium Manager's Dugout
Wimbledon Centre Court
Old Bailey Centre Court
My Front Room 3rd Sofa on the Left

[Womanfromaroom]

Hey, mickey_one,

don't sound so sad - perhaps you could at least get Ophelia to throw her knickers at you? And after all you know that it's hard to hold the hand of anyone who is reaching for the sky just to surrender...

[mickey_one]

Hey, mickey_one,

don't sound so sad - perhaps you could at least get Ophelia to throw her knickers at you? And after all you know that it's hard to hold the hand of anyone who is reaching for the sky just to surrender...

tempting? hmm, it depends on who Ophelia is and what her taste is in lingerie. At least with old Henning we can be sure it's regulation white Marks and Spencers (Berlin branch) big briefs, thus meaning there is no chance after I meet him that I go home with his hand-on.

[jarkko]

Photo by Eija (RAH October 18)

[Troubadour]

Leonard Cohen at The Royal Albert Hall - Tuesday 18 November 2008

In late night London
Leonard Cohen sings for me
Shares a noble space
Disturbs the air between us
With a deep and guttural buzz
Reaching out
In freshly minted sound waves
Across the soft red circles
Of the Royal Albert Hall

Body lithe and light
He skips across the playground stage
In double breasted suit and smart fedora
Dapper as an Italian grandfather
At a christening
Demure and elegant
Mature and youthful
This poet and troubadour
Monk and lover
Sinks suddenly to one knee
And serenades a soulful crowd
Who circle him round
With quiet tenderness
Seeking to
Soften his fall
As he breaks at last
His years of silence

A voice startlingly intact
And hauntingly familiar
Comes to us across the air
Giving fresh breath
To the scratch and hiss of crackling records
Resurrecting with tea and oranges
Our old remembered selves
And celebrating
Long ago lonely moments
With a nowness never expected
And a fresh frame of compassion
Never then imagined

Hat in hand he bows
With quiet dignity
Beaming widely
At so much joyful affection
The wisdom of humility
Shining through
In gratitude and surprise
Reminding us that
Though this man
Still sings our searching souls
As wistfully as ever
Tonight is more than
Rolling Stones remembrance
Before our eyes and ears
Something secret and hard won
Is brought back from the wilderness
A deepening of tone and understanding
A tender acceptance of all that’s been
The old prophet has at last it seems
Himself become a blessing
A gracious healing touch
And ends the night remarkably
With Ruth's biblical embrace
Whither you go I will go
Your land will be my land
Your people my people
Your God will be my God

In late night London
Leonard Cohen sang for me
Honoured my youth with poetry
Anointed once again my inner ear
With a unique and fragrant buzzing
As he blew steadily
And with surprising stamina
Upon the great horn of humanity
Against the deep red shadows
Of the Royal Albert Hall

[Womanfromaroom]

Beautiful - thanks, Jarkko, and thanks, Troubadour, for sharing, as far as possible, at least some of the magic of the RAH evenings!

[Doctor Bob]

I though musically Tuesday had the edge on Monday, but somehow I felt the atmosphere was more electric on Monday (more standing ovations, more applause)...

Am I right in thinking Leonard left out a verse in Hallelujah on both nights? I may be mistaken...

[hogan]

I'm pretty sure he didn't do the "Maybe there's a god above ...." verse on Monday. It was back in on Tuesday though.

[dynamiksdreamdebased]

I though musically Tuesday had the edge on Monday, but somehow I felt the atmosphere was more electric on Monday (more standing ovations, more applause)...

yeah, definitely

[mike.barker58]

I have to say it was splendid evening - well worth the four hour drive into London and a 3am arrival back up North.

I think I sat next to Jarkko, shared a set list but rather self-consciously didn't want to ask if he was Jarkko in case we all got very confused.

Did you spot the reference to Marble Arch [in Democracy I think] - any great venue, ranks along side the Manchester Opera House experience.

My wife finally got to hear 'a thousand kisses deep' - really enjoyed The Partizan and thought the encore section really raised the tempo.

On the DVD front I really hope they use the full capacity of the DVD and put a full concert on as picking out certain songs will lose the flow and atmosphere ......

Mike