CONCERT REPORT: New York City, April 6 & 7, 2013

Everything about the first leg of Leonard Cohen's World Tour 2013
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IrishAL
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Re: CONCERT REPORT: New York City, April 6 & 7, 2013

Post by IrishAL »

Radio City on Saturday night. Security was tight and video capture opportunities were limited, but I did manage to capture a few memories from that special night in New York.

Anyhow
what a great lead into a song...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=js8n9cEcafc

First we take Manhattan
this goes down well everywhere and especially well in New york.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=De6UBRBjN7I

Enjoy

Albert
2008: Dublin x2 London Helsinki London RAH M'chester
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mutti
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Re: CONCERT REPORT: New York City, April 6 & 7, 2013

Post by mutti »

Oh that is wonderful you were able to get some video taken Albert. NYC concerts were both very special and what was also special was the fact that you and Marie were there on the 6th!
Thank you for posting these...I so enjoyed watching them.
Leslie 8)
1988 Vancouver
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sturgess66
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Re: CONCERT REPORT: New York City, April 6 & 7, 2013

Post by sturgess66 »

More video - April 7

Uploaded by "solarstorm2011" - Thanks!

Anyhow
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmYKhTjSK8E

Lover, Lover, Lover
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wl3sCEdmuPI&

Going Home
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6dh5R7II_o

First We Take Manhattan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIi5S1WVp9A

I Tried To Leave You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjZ8duj1s4M
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sturgess66
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Re: CONCERT REPORT: New York City, April 6 & 7, 2013

Post by sturgess66 »

VIdeo uploaded by ExileonMusic - Thanks
April 7

Dance Me To The End Of Love
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfFudZhCiJs
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sturgess66
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Re: CONCERT REPORT: New York City, April 6 & 7, 2013

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Video uploaded by Harry Piranha - Thanks!

April 7

Hallelujah
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lcqO6WAYc0
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sturgess66
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Re: CONCERT REPORT: New York City, April 6 & 7, 2013

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Video uploaded by "rxeditor11" - Thanks
April 7

Hallelujah (partial)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDtBCynK2Fg
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sturgess66
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Re: CONCERT REPORT: New York City, April 6 & 7, 2013

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At the link there are more photos - and videos throughout the article
http://gothamist.com/2013/04/08/photos_ ... hp#photo-6
Photos, Video: Leonard Cohen Takes Manhattan At Radio City Music Hall
(Getty Images)

Image

Leonard Cohen is kneeling as he sings. This might make sense for a song like "If It Be Your Will." But Leonard Cohen is on his knees when "Dance Me To The End Of Love" starts the show. He returns to this position throughout the night. Sometimes he's praying, sometimes he's pleading with a lover. Sometimes he is begging forgiveness, and sometimes he is too exhausted to get up. Is this Cohen's idea of showmanship?

Or is it those moments when he shuffles to and fro, his arms clenched like Rock 'Em Sock 'Em robots? The kneeling and the semi-motionless dancing are things I could imagine Cohen doing, moves developed over forty years of Zen monasteries and world tours—the real surprise is how gleefully he skips off stage waving his fedora in his hand before every break in the show, like an impeccably dressed rock skimming across water.

Early on in the evening, before he begins singing an intimate version of "Bird on a Wire" with the mic cradled between his hands, Cohen tells the audience, "I don't know when we'll meet again, but I promise you tonight we'll give you everything we've got."

Cohen performed 29 pieces, including three encores, over three hours at Radio City Musical Hall on Sunday night, accompanied by six musicians and three sirens on his Old Ideas 2013 World Tour. I use "pieces" and not "songs" because they included a recitation ("A Thousand Kisses Deep"), a few introductions of poetry, and two solo spotlights for those backup singers ("Alexandra Leaving" for Sharon Robinson; "If It Be Your Will" for The Webb Sisters); I also use it because Cohen is the only major musician this side of Henry Rollins who walks the tightrope between spoken word performance and 'folk singer who just discovered his first synth.' (That last part may not pertain so much to Rollins.)

All of which is not to takeaway from the music—on the contrary, the backing band's au natural lineup (dobro, violin, electric guitar, hammond organ, upright bass, brushes!) lifts the shackles of the (sometimes stiff) studio arrangements. It's especially important because the majority of the set comes from Cohen's later albums, I'm Your Man (6 songs), The Future (5 songs), and Old Ideas (6 songs). The fact that those first two contain some of his mightiest, holiest songs—the kinds of songs that will inspire thousands to try to write similar songs, the kinds of songs no one has any business emulating—was always slightly undermined by the stilted, hermetic arrangements. It was as if Cohen was keeping a certain segment of would-be fans at arms length: he was born like this, he had no choice, and neither did you.

As a result, just about every song benefits from a naturalistic approach in the live show. "Show Me The Place" has that same skip in its step as its writer does prancing off stage; "Anyhow" gets plucked from some smoky jazz club in Berlin; "Ain't No Cure For Love" is practically bouncy. The synths are kept to a minimum, only making their appearance when absolutely necessary: "Tower Of Song," "Waiting For The Miracle," and the most un-sensitive moment of the evening, "First We Take Manhattan," the only time the concert felt remotely like a rock show.

But the majority of the show had little to do with rock. "Who By Fire," with its long spanish guitar intro via Javier Mas, conjures up the spirit of being in synagogue during the High Holy days. Cohen has learned to ease off the chorus of "Hallelujah," which is propelled by a church organ but carried by those angelic female singers—to his credit, Cohen might not sing it like Jeff Buckley, but he always intimately understood the carnal desire lurking beneath those secret chords requires a much gruffer narrator. And special attention should be given to violinist Alexandru Bublitchi, whose playing invoked the mood of Cohen's under-appreciated late '70s work, and added considerable sweetness to songs like "Take This Waltz."

Between the kneeling, the shuffling, and the skipping, Cohen was much lighter on his feet—much more energetic—than I had expected. He's been taking his own advice, it seems: "Lighten up Cohen, for crissakes," he said before launching into "Ain't No Cure For Love." "How long are you going to pout?" When the crowd goes nuts at the tinkling piano of "Tower of Song," Cohen smiled and cracked, "Are you humoring me?" before showing off his ability to do a piano roll.

Despite a crowd whose median age was over 45, barely any seats emptied out as false ending after false ending passed over the course of the night. The night could have come to an end happily with "Closing Time," Cohen's humorous take on a bacchanalia at the local bar. But he galloped onstage one last time for the appropriately bluesy "I Tried To Leave You," which gave all the musicians a chance to show off for a few extra minutes. Cohen stood, hat in hand, before skipping offstage one last time.

Image
Leonard Cohen Setlist Radio City Music Hall, New York, NY, USA 2013, Old Ideas
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sturgess66
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Re: CONCERT REPORT: New York City, April 6 & 7, 2013

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At the link - there are a lot of pictures -
http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2 ... n_p_5.html
April 8, 2013 Leonard Cohen played two nights at Radio City Music Hall (night 1 pics & review, setlists from both)

Words and photos by Dominick Mastrangelo

On the first night of a two-night stand at Radio City Music Hall on Saturday (April 6), Leonard Cohen -- singer-songwriter, poet, living legend -- promised the sold-out audience that he and his band would give everything they had. And though it's a line he breaks out at nearly every show, over the course of the next three hours, he and his stellar backing band did precisely that.

In a mix of old hits and new songs from last year's Old Ideas, Cohen, decked out in dark suit and fedora, crooned from his knees on several occasions and even skipped across the stage as he exited and entered between two full sets sets and two three-song encores; both maneuvers belying his 78 years. "I ache in the places I used to play," he sang on "Tower of Song." "I was born like this / I had no choice / I was born with the gift of a golden voice."

That golden voice is a bit deeper and more gravelly than before but his delivery was impeccable and the audience was rapt during "Suzanne" and especially his spoken-word version of "A Thousand Kisses Deep."

During the first intermission a friend who was at the show said that he was thinking of the eulogies for the late Roger Ebert and how all of them referenced his belief that (paraphrasing here) "where words and images can lie, emotions are always true."

And that observation fit on the evening. Who in attendance had not been stirred at some point by a Leonard Cohen song? That answer, most likely, not many.

"Hallelujah" was the fitting emotional high point met with enthusiastic applause and then a standing ovation at its conclusion several minutes later.

All along his rich baritone was balanced by his background singers, long-time collaborator Sharon Robinson, and Charley and Hattie Webb, musically known as The Webb Sisters. Cohen returned to spoken-word form as he introduced Robinson's gorgeous turn at lead vocals on "Alexandra Leaving" and the Webb Sisters on "If It Be Thy Will."

And the stellar group of musicians Cohen has assembled were all given several opportunities to shine as Cohen would remove his fedora in reverence, step into the shadow and the spotlight would find the soloist taking his turn, be it Neil Larsen on the Hammond B-3, music director Roscoe Beck on the upright bass ("veteran and victim," quipped Cohen of their 30-plus years performing together) or Javier Mas on bandurria. Mitch Watkins on electric guitar, Alexandru Bublitchi on violin and Rafael Gayol on drums rounded out the band and all deserve recognition. In his return to Radio City the night belonged to Mr. Cohen but his band gets credit for transforming the evening into something close to magical.

Leonard was previously here in December, having played MSG and Barclays Center. More pictures from Saturday -- plus setlists from both nights at Radio City -- are below.
----
LEONARD COHEN, RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL, APRIL 6th, 2013 SETLIST
Dance Me to the End of Love
The Future
Bird on the Wire
Everybody Knows
Who by Fire
Darkness
Ain't No Cure for Love
Amen
Come Healing
Democracy
A Thousand Kisses Deep
Anthem
====
Tower of Song
Suzanne
Waiting for the Miracle
Show Me the Place
Anyhow
Lover Lover Lover
Alexandra Leaving
I'm Your Man
Hallelujah
Take This Waltz
====
So Long, Marianne
Going Home
First We Take Manhattan
====
Famous Blue Raincoat
If It Be Your Will
Closing Time

Image
LEONARD COHEN, RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL, APRIL 7th, 2013 SETLIST via
http://drhguy.com/2013/04/08/stage-setl ... -new-york/
sharon.e
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Re: CONCERT REPORT: New York City, April 6 & 7, 2013

Post by sharon.e »

I was driving and listening to Albert's vids on the iPhone earphone and couldn't stop marveling the amazing sound in Radio City.

Then I arrived to a computer and watched them - top quality, as always, Sir Al. And yes, sound was just as exceptional.

I then watched I Tried to Leave You from April 7th that Linda posted and couldn't help wonder - no Webb Sisters solo?...
Ideas, anyone?

--Sharon
2009 Tel Aviv; San Jose
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2012 Berlin; Paris; New York, Brooklyn
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Mabeanie1
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Re: CONCERT REPORT: New York City, April 6 & 7, 2013

Post by Mabeanie1 »

sharon.e wrote:I then watched I Tried to Leave You from April 7th that Linda posted and couldn't help wonder - no Webb Sisters solo?...
Ideas, anyone?

--Sharon
No Roscoe either. Put simply, they were up against a strict curfew and ran out of time so they went straight to Rafael for a "finale". Better to have a shorter Tried to Leave You than none at all IMHO.

Wendy
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Re: CONCERT REPORT: New York City, April 6 & 7, 2013

Post by sharon.e »

Mabeanie1 wrote:
sharon.e wrote:I then watched I Tried to Leave You from April 7th that Linda posted and couldn't help wonder - no Webb Sisters solo?...
Ideas, anyone?

--Sharon
No Roscoe either. Put simply, they were up against a strict curfew and ran out of time so they went straight to Rafael for a "finale". Better to have a shorter Tried to Leave You than none at all IMHO.

Wendy
Sharp as always, Wendy.
I guess since the bass was so audible with Rafael's new rendition to his solo, I didn't notice there was no "actual" solo by Roscoe..
Completely agree that better a short Tried to Leave you than none at all.
Thanks!
--Sharon
2009 Tel Aviv; San Jose
2010 Sligo [x2] ; Las Vegas [x2]
2012 Berlin; Paris; New York, Brooklyn
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IrishAL
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Re: CONCERT REPORT: New York City, April 6 & 7, 2013

Post by IrishAL »

Two more Vids,

if it be your will
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozyp1CN6Xms


Famous Blue Raincoat
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DImBLQUu2gk

Enjoy

A.
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
crossedeyedstranger
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Re: CONCERT REPORT: New York City, April 6 & 7, 2013

Post by crossedeyedstranger »

Anyone have any idea if a recording of the April 7 show will ever surface? Legally or a boot? One of the most beautiful shows I've ever seen. I am desperately searching for a recording to re-live the experience. :D :D :D
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sturgess66
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Re: CONCERT REPORT: New York City, April 6 & 7, 2013

Post by sturgess66 »

sturgess66 wrote:Uploaded by "cathy niederberger" - Thanks!

April 6th

Second encore: First We Take Manhattan, Famous Blue Raincoat and part of the Webb Sisters singing If It Be Your Will
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajZxluzKn_A
More from "cathy niederberger" -
April 6

I'm Your Man
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuDyMuH3A7I

Take This Waltz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrnbl2t7SXs

Tower of Song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4oh4iRAXS0
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Mabeanie1
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Re: CONCERT REPORT: New York City, April 6 & 7, 2013

Post by Mabeanie1 »

crossedeyedstranger wrote:Anyone have any idea if a recording of the April 7 show will ever surface? Legally or a boot? One of the most beautiful shows I've ever seen. I am desperately searching for a recording to re-live the experience. :D :D :D
Suggest you keep an eye on this thread crossedeyedstranger: viewtopic.php?f=12&t=33623

I imagine there will be a recording as recordings of both the MSG and Brooklyn shows appeared on Dime fairly quickly after the events.

Wendy
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