CONCERT REPORTS: Las Vegas, Nevada, December 10 & 11, 2010

[Midnightchoir37]

Hi, all. I noticed someone posted a link to my review of the 12-10-10 show, and I just wanted to let you know that I also put up a review of the 12-11-10 show. Another magical night. Here is the link, in case anyone wants to read it:

http://www.suite101.com/content/leonard ... ew-a321519

[mirka]

.... I had one drunk beside me singing off key the whole show, one jerk behind me singing off key the whole show, and two people behind me to my right who talked through the whole show. Then the jerk decided to "educate" the woman next to him during intermission with all the facts he knew about Leonard, that of course , where totally wrong.
[...]
Lynne

sorry to hear about your experience, Lynne, but ... I couldn't stop laughing.
Well, there are many ways to express one's emotions listening to LC live, you had bad luck of running into people expressing themselves from the wrong end of the spectrum

[somewhat_nifty]

Just had a look at your videos. Brilliant as always and you managed to capture my favourites, Hallelujah and So Long Marianne. I especially love the "extended" So Long Marianne

oops! Was very tired by that stage and must have done it twice! Will amend

[musicmania]

Hi, all. I noticed someone posted a link to my review of the 12-10-10 show, and I just wanted to let you know that I also put up a review of the 12-11-10 show. Another magical night. Here is the link, in case anyone wants to read it:

http://www.suite101.com/content/leonard ... ew-a321519

Hi love your reviews. Interesting comment at the bottom about the possibility of this being released on cd/dvd. That would be amazing! Really loving the mp3 stream and of course all the videos by wonderful friends but an official release would be awesome. Roll on new album first

@ Lynn feel your pain about idiots Friday! One almost ruined A Thousand Kisses Deep. Was so glad Leonard did it again Saturday!

Ruth don't amend please! I think it is brilliant! Remember there is a crack

[lizzytysh]

Thank. Heaven. I have been searching endlessly for the set list that Joe Costello obtained for me on December 11th... and only JUST NOW found it! I had the one from the 10th, which is very special for its own set of reasons; yet, to lose[???] the one from the 11th was just UNthinkable!!! And how was I going to reveal its loss to Joe, who so aggressively [with all those arms reaching out ~ mine included ~ one had to have some extra measure of SOMETHING in them to actually get a set list placed in your hands!] sought one. In this case, he was reaching much further than I possibly could, saying, "For Lizzy! For Lizzy!" Don't know if that made the difference, but something did... he was given one! Then, dear and kind Joe Costello generously placed it into my hands! I put it in my Leonard Cohen fedora & name, canvas bag and took it out a brief moment to compare it with sharon.e's miniature version, which neither of us even knew existed! They're VERY frameable and not sure from whom she was able to get it!!

Then. Darkness struck. After boarding a 4:10 AM early Sunday morning for the airport, I spent the entire day on planes, in airports, and in cars... until I got home somewhere around 11 PM. Who knows what I did with anything at that point, except fling my body into bed. When I went to find it, though... it was nowhere to be found, and no recollection of where I might have put it ... and did I even have any recollection of having SEEN it since I was INSIDE the theatre !?! Making calls to my friends who transported me [was in both their cars, in relay fashion], to the restaurant where we stopped, and unable to find the Gray Line's phone number online, my next step was to try to find the small business card that had the phone number I needed to call [and by the way, they were VERY kind themselves, in agreeing to pick me up in the first place... the deal is that you call THE DAY PRIOR... but this concert broke 4 hours and I didn't actually call the Gray Line until 12:45 AM Sunday morning, a little over 3 hours from when I needed the ride!]. Time has passed and my search has continued... over and over old territory in really absurd ways! How many times can I empty an almost empty suitcase and check all the pockets one more time... and check ALL clothes to see if I'd put it in there . I was down to concluding that it really had slipped out somewhere along the line ... or that someone slid it out of my bag [the worst possible conclusion of all, yet it wasn't here or there or anywhere to be found... and I had noticed how my bag gaped quite wide open when I simply had it over my shoulder].

Now, checking AGAIN the same place I have checked multiple times... I found a piece of plastic ~ that I THEN remembered having put it in for protection... albeit it was rolled up and wrinkled irregularly with the roll-up folds... and inside the rolled 'whatever' that I was looking at and saw some letters that YES ~ REALLY WERE KEY NOTATIONS and the songs alongside them ~ now I have no skulking, with profuse apologies leading the way, to do with Joe and my set list is SAFE in a frame and on the wall. Tomorrow, I'm buying another one for the preceding night's .

Severe sleep deprivation and chronic fatigue can do wonders for obliterating one's memory.

My time in Vegas... it was all about Leonard. Had the equivalent of one glass of wine... maybe two... VERY expensive wine, shared with others... wine I never in this lifetime could have afforded myself. Smooth, mild, delicious... all rare words for me to use in regard to wine, anymore. One drink... a Corona bought by MaryB for me. Didn't stop at a single slot machine or table. This was all about finding Leonard and the peace he brings amidst the MAX EXAMPLE of "Boogie Street"... he really was back on it and prevailed with his quietude and wisdom.

Met SO FEW of the people I wanted and thought I'd meet. Other circumstances usurped that time. So, now, it's on to another time... where I'll be asking people if I can see their nametags... even when they introduce themselves. Sometimes names you know so well don't register. Everything was such a flurry and a blur... and a total of 8 hours sleep over a 4-5 day period simply NOT enough. The schedule for that total was:

To bed and wake up normally on Wednesday morning, since leaving for Vegas on Thursday.
Thursday night, up ALL night, with 1 hour of sleep somewhere between 4 and 5 AM... then, up to finish getting ready, to leave by 6:30 AM to get to the airport approx. 2 hours away.

On the plane all day, including an extra 3-4 hours unexpectedly delay in Detroit, due to a bird strike on the 1st Officer's side of the plane [before we had gotten on the plane], which resulted in a cracked windshield. As I was praying for some FAST DRYING GLUE for that new windshield we were told they were installing, the airline wisely brought in a new plane from Minneapolis to carry us the rest of the way to Vegas. Instead of a 5:30 PM arrival, though, it was 8:45 PM and getting to the hotel sometime around 9:30 PM.

Got 'home' late that night [Thursday night] and got 2 hours sleep.

Next night [Friday night], got 4-5 hours sleep, and Saturday morning had a leisurely and nurturing breakfast with my dear friend, Mirka, from Poland.

Saturday night got 0 hours sleep, as I went to the concert and, afterward, spent some lovely time in very pleasant conversation with "Mickey D" [Leonard's and Javier's guitar keeper]. Just as he was leaving the room, I was able to quietly say four of the things to Leonard that I had wanted to say to him at Joe's Pub in New York City several years ago... but since I don't speak well in front of other people, had not, and preferred to only sit silently beside him at the time. It's the better way for me, until I adjust to another person's energy and presence. This time, I felt very comfortable saying these things.

Then, to the shuttle wait stop, to where Vern Silver accompanied and waited with me for it to arrive, after we'd run into each other at the hotel front desk.

In Friday night's concert, I was tearful beyond belief. Just kept crying; not tears filling my eyes or dropping down from them, but flowing from all of their lower surfaces and my mouth shaking and my forehead tensed and contorted, like a child's crying... I had to cover my mouth, to conceal the visuals of my silent sobs. I felt pure gratitude when Leonard acknowledged and validated our devotion to him when he referred to his fans, but added that he doesn't like to refer to us that way because it's much deeper than that. You could feel the gratitude fill the room as we cheered his words. Those words we have longed to hear from the man at the receiving end of all of our many feelings.

Every word Leonard sang was filled with truth in its delivery, as though he were speaking each one for the first time, to Javier, to Sharon, to Charley, to Hattie, to Dino, to Roscoe, to Bob, to Rafael, to Neil, to us, and to whomever each song was written for or about. It was, for me, the most intense concert ever.

On Saturday, I held together better emotionally, with my bittersweet feelings not as visible. I felt the finality and the sadness, mixed with the joy and gratitude that I was there experiencing every minute of it.

These concerts have been and will always remain indescribable for me. I seem to only be able to touch the surface. They go where words have never been.


~ Lizzy

[IrishAL]

The Future.
" we seem to have come to the end of a certain chapter we began three years ago..I was 73, just a kid with a crazy dream."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzpALcEY18I

Who by Fire

Javier Mas stares into the fire during his magnificent introduction to this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuUgTxgoyaI

enjoy,

albert.

[Cheshire gal]

Lizzy,

You had quite a trip home from Las Vegas... I am very happy you finally found the set list and it was very nice to meet you outside the Theatre. Wonderful concerts and wonderful memories.

[lizzytysh]

It was great to meet you, too, Cheshire gal!

Phenomenal concerts... everyone gave it their all and SO FAR BEYOND their all. Wonderful memories... those I was able to acquire!

Compared to many, I have remained relatively distant from this band, yet they still feel like family. And the reunions are ending for now. Praying for another one within two years absolute maximum... may they all remain free to travel so we might see them on the road again.

With others from here, who have felt like family, how great it was to meet them for the first time. I'm thinking of jazz4111, with whom I have shared so much over the years, yet our paths remained uncrossed until now. And, then, suddenly, there she was and we were hugging on Friday night, JUST prior to the concert's starting. Can't tell you [though you probably know from your own experiences] how wonderful that felt... so many conversations, so much sharing, so many promises of time together in the future... and then THERE... RIGHT THERE... the person stands smiling!!!


~ Lizzy

[Cheshire gal]

midnightchoir37,

Thanks for two excellent reviews of the concerts. I have printed them to keep with the rest of my 'las vegas memories'.

Great job Michael.

[sturgess66]

Hi, all. I noticed someone posted a link to my review of the 12-10-10 show, and I just wanted to let you know that I also put up a review of the 12-11-10 show. Another magical night. Here is the link, in case anyone wants to read it:

http://www.suite101.com/content/leonard ... ew-a321519

Hi Michael - thanks for your review and the link.

And this possibility is interesting -

The show was recorded and filmed, and there is the possibility that it will be released at some point, either on CD or DVD - or perhaps both, as the London show was. Though right now the plan is to release the new studio album first, before any more live albums are released.

Read more at Suite101: Leonard Cohen in Las Vegas 12-11-10 Concert Review http://www.suite101.com/content/leonard ... z18bmSBd7b

[mutti]

Here it is Monday early morning December 20th and I sit in a small village in Hampi, India known for its incredible stones, boulders and temples from the 14th century. We are here for a photography adventure. I ask myself over and over how did I get here from there? (the 2 concerts in Las Vegas). This is the first time in days I am able to get online and have been starved for the concert reports. We left 2 days after LV and flew to Bangalore with a 24 hour stop in Paris. Just missed the snow a lot of you are having and after an 8 hour bumpy car ride here are on the first leg of our journey. It all seems like a dream for me so reading these reports is taking me right back. Have not had time to listen to anything but will over the next days especially passing through...Marie and Albert I loved your banner!
The first 3 days here every moment Leonard's songs were going through my head...every night I had dreams of the concerts now and from years ago but with the same fans as in Las Vegas so it was all running keeping my mind occupied and away from the moment...I believe now it was my way of feeling protected and comforted from the onslaught of culture shock I was in. My husband and I lived in India when we were 27 but had not been back since so it has taken awhile to get used to it.
Ok enough about me...
I have to say the Las Vegas concerts and especially the last night were absolutely amazing. There is nothing I can add that others haven't said. I couldn't keep still the entire time and felt myself moving and dancing in my seat.
The venue was great and Leonard seemed to give us his all and it was the best ever for me.
I thought Sligo was my best concert and then Vancouver but this hit the top due to the music, his voice, the emotional aspect, the audience's enthusiasm. It was one of the highest moments of my life. I am so glad everyone was themselves and let it rip as we all know Leonard likes that and seems to appreciate a crowd that is in a let go.
There are so many people that I have met over the last 2 years in person and online that I never got to spend more than a few minutes with and I am sorry about that. The time went so fast. I didn't spend much time in the Sea Horse Bar as the smoke got to me.
Ah I wish we could do it all over again....
Take care and hope we get more opportunities for more concerts down the road. This one was grand!
I am feeling sentimental as I am so happy to be online again.
Cheers
Leslie/Mutti

[carlowmike]

mutti wrote: I have to say the Las Vegas concerts and especially the last night were absolutely amazing. There is nothing I can add that others haven't said. I couldn't keep still the entire time and felt myself moving and dancing in my seat.
The venue was great and Leonard seemed to give us his all and it was the best ever for me.
I thought Sligo was my best concert and then Vancouver but this hit the top due to the music, his voice, the emotional aspect, the audience's enthusiasm. It was one of the highest moments of my life.

I have to agree Leslie,
I thought Sligo and Kilmainham would never be topped, how could it ever get better I asked
but
the Saturday Concert in Vegas was extra-Special.
I had to miss the Friday night but we won't feel it until 2012 tour
(or late 2011 ....best start saving now )
"twas great to meet yourself and ladydi on Thursday, did not get much time to meself after that ..

[musicmania]

@ Lizzy, I can imagine you anxiety and the elation over the setlist! I'd have been the exact same! You don't by any chance have a scanner as I'd like a copy of Friday. I have already being sent Saturdays. Like yourself I cried a lot more on Friday and was doing quite well Saturday until halfway through Hallelujah. I cannot get through Leonard singing that live without the tears flowing at some stage during the song. During Friday I was in tears during the intro to Anthem and then the noisy idiot started groaning for the first time which at that stage was quite funny so I "laughed and cried and cried and laughed" the whole way through the song. The strangers beside me were quite amused and kept hugging me and patting me on the shoulder. Talk about my emotions running away with themselves!

@ Albert Thanks for these further treats! Between yourself and Somewhat_nifty we have amazing videos where of course I appreciate everyone elses offerings as well.

@ Leslie Great to hear from you here! Enjoy your Indian adventure. I too spent very little time at the Seahorse so we were lucky to have bumped into each other so! While Saturday night was very very special and is a very close 2nd nothing will ever top Lissadell for me (except of course actually meeting Leonard!!!). I close my eyes and I am transported back to that wonderful time and place. Trying to put my finger on it is hard but the mix of the wonderful location, the emotion of seeing Leonard perform in a place so special to his hero (whom I also love) and even the rain was a combination for me which has equaled perfection.

[Trenton J]

@ Gwen
I was the gentleman who sat next to you on the Saturday night concert and now I can also boast that the girl with the huge Irish flag whom Dino acknowledged, went on to meet Leonard the following morning. Some things are meant to be...and I do truly believe you were meant to encounter LC and have such a delightful photograph taken with him. It really was a magical night in a wonderful venue...Las Vegas however, left me cold with the worst kind of tourist imaginable...tacky, soulless and repugnant.

Thanks to all those who captured so many memories from the night of all nights... One lives in hope Leonard will return in 2012...?

Best
Trenton

[musicmania]

@ Gwen
I was the gentleman who sat next to you on the Saturday night concert and now I can also boast that the girl with the huge Irish flag whom Dino acknowledged, went on to meet Leonard the following morning. Some things are meant to be...and I do truly believe you were meant to encounter LC and have such a delightful photograph taken with him. It really was a magical night in a wonderful venue...Las Vegas however, left me cold with the worst kind of tourist imaginable...tacky, soulless and repugnant.

Thanks to all those who captured so many memories from the night of all nights... One lives in hope Leonard will return in 2012...?

Best
Trenton

Hi Trenton, pleasure to have met you in person and now here! I hope my "singing" along wasn't to distracting for you (I tried but probably failed to do so at a low volume)!!! Thanks so much for your kind comments! For me Vegas has its good and bad sides which I think I shared here already. It didn't matter what Vegas was though, we were there to see Leonard and his brilliant band in what was as you describe was magical night and a wonderful venue. For those precious hours nothing outside mattered. Yes we pray for 2012..........