CONCERT REPORT: Vienne, August 18

[maretschkou]

It was a magic, unforgettable evening. Leonard added "Waiting for the miracle" (last but one of the first part) and the miracle did occur !


here is the link to regional "Le Dauphine Libere"

http://www.ledauphine.com/hier-soir-au- ... cle=178964

Update :

For the memory I put some photos and four videos (Lover, lover , lover , If it be your will, I tried to leave you and Whither Thou Goest, FBR) on :
http://picasaweb.google.fr/maretchkou/L ... qZ7bCEhQE#

They are far from good quality , but since nobody did it yet ...

BTW, it is worth noting the exeptional venue of the old Roman Theater hosts every year the Jazz à Vienne festival (http://www.jazzavienne.com/) and that accoustic of the place is quite challenging (cirulation of sound, etc..). A year ago Diana Krall technicians were unable to mastermind it and her concert was a barely audible fiasco for a large part of the audience.

What they failed another Canadian sound engineers from Montreal (Leonard greets them at the end of the show) were able to achieve !

[sturgess66]

http://www.ledauphine.com/hier-soir-au- ... cle=178964

VIENNE

Leonard Cohen pour clore la saison
par La Rédaction du DL | le 19/08/09 à 05h07

Leonard Cohen n'a pas besoin d'artifice pour fasciner son public. Un décor épuré, quelques lumières sobres, les notes douces qu'il sait si bien jouer et les spectateurs sont accrochés à ses lèvres du début à la fin. Les quelque 6 000 personnes qui se sont déplacées au théâtre antique pour voir leur idole n'ont pas été déçues hier soir.

Le chanteur, qui n'est plus dans sa prime jeunesse, a assuré près de trois heures de concert pendant lesquelles il a tout donné. Tout, et toujours avec une élégance fascinante. De son chapeau que le chanteur retire pour saluer un à un ses neuf musiciens et choristes, aux costumes et à la scène, décorée de voilages. Élégance, douceur et simplicité semblent bien être les maîtres mots de la prestation de Leonard Cohen. Même son timbre grave et cassé, qui s'accorde si bien à ses chansons légèrement folk a donné une douceur sans pareille à la soirée.
À genoux face au public

Les amateurs des chansons de Leonard Cohen ont su rendre hommage à leur idole. Les gradins étaient combles. Des spectateurs murmurant, dansant doucement sur chacune des chansons de leur maître à chanter. Des spectateurs fascinés, en perpétuel applaudissement, et debout après chaque chanson. Et l'idole le leur rend bien, s'appliquant à parler français, proposant ses meilleurs morceaux et s'agenouillant aux premières notes.

Mais l'homme ne doit cependant pas récolter tous les lauriers. Il a su particulièrement bien s'entourer. Les voix de ses trois choristes sont simplement sublimes et ses six musiciens sont d'une précision incroyable. Quelques solos ont été disséminés çà et là pour le plus grand bonheur du public qui apprécie particulièrement ses chansons tristes et parfois sombres.

Le cadre exceptionnel du théâtre antique et la douceur de la soirée ont également contribué à la perfection de cet instant musical partagé. Ses meilleurs morceaux ont été largement applaudis, et plus particulièrement les célèbres "Hallelujah" et "Suzanne". Après ces trois heures de succès, Leonard Cohen a su quitter la scène avec cette même élégance qui l'a accompagné pendant tout son spectacle. Il s'est agenouillé au bord de la scène, devant un public fasciné. Fasciné et ému.

Google translation -

VIENNA

Leonard Cohen to End the Season

by The Editors of DL
August 19, 2009

Leonard Cohen does not need fireworks to fascinate his audience. A refined, some sober light, sweet notes so he can play and the audience hung on his lips from beginning to end. The approximately 6 000 people were displaced in theater to see their idol were not disappointed last night.

The singer, who is in his early youth, took almost three hours together during which he has given everything. Everything, and always with an intriguing elegance. His hat as the singer to welcome a cut to a nine musicians and singers, the costumes and the stage, decorated with curtains. Elegance, sweetness and simplicity seem to be the watchwords in the provision of Leonard Cohen. Even his tone serious and broken, which is so slightly to his folk songs provided a unique sweetness to the evening.

On his knees facing the audience

Fans of songs of Leonard Cohen were able to pay tribute to their idol. The stands were crammed. Spectators murmuring, dancing gently to each of the songs from their teacher to sing. Spectators fascinated, perpetual applause and standing after each song. The idol and makes them well, apply to speak French, offering his best songs and kneeling in the early grades.

But man does not reap all the laurels. He knew himself well. The voices of three singers are simply sublime and six musicians are incredible accuracte. Some solos were scattered here and there to the delight of the audience who appreciates his songs particularly sad and sometimes dark.

The exceptional setting of the ancient theater and the softness of the evening have also contributed to the perfection of this shared musical moment. His best songs were widely applauded, especially the famous "Hallelujah" and "Suzanne." After three hours of success, Leonard Cohen left the stage with the same elegance that has accompanied him throughout his show. He knelt beside the stage before an audience fascinated. Fascinated and moved.

From our local correspondent DIANE THIBAUDIER
Released in publishing 38B of 19/08/2009 (f1cfc6ca-8bff-11de-A598-d4a854fe8770)

[MaryB]

Google translation -

VIENNA

the audience hung on his lips from beginning to end. The approximately 6 000 people were displaced in theater

The singer, who is in his early youth,

Sturgess, thank you for providing us with this google translation. How I love these .

So sorry to hear that the audience was displaced. LC must have been very uncomfortable with everyone hanging on his lips. It's a wonder that he could still perform! Touring must really agree with him as he keeps getting younger all the time !

[sturgess66]

Google translation -

VIENNA

the audience hung on his lips from beginning to end. The approximately 6 000 people were displaced in theater

The singer, who is in his early youth,

Sturgess, thank you for providing us with this google translation. How I love these .

So sorry to hear that the audience was displaced. LC must have been very uncomfortable with everyone hanging on his lips. It's a wonder that he could still perform! Touring must really agree with him as he keeps getting younger all the time !

Yes - well fortunately Leonard had those boxing gloves at his disposal! I guess he had little recourse but to use them? I mean - what would you do if you had 6000 people hanging on your lips.!

BUT - it seems that his prowess in detaching them was so impressive that he was mistaken by Ms. Thibaudier (the reviewer) for a young man! What was not reported was that Leonard then apparently proceeded to examine every inch of each and every one of them, with a stethoscope, just to ensure that they were in fact okay - once he had detached them. And further - stories are being spread - like a tidal flood - by word of mouth - that Leonard Cohen got 6000 in just one blow!

Let it be know throughout the land that when this guy croons "I'm Your Man" - he means it!

[MaryB]

I love the laughs I get on this forum. Sturgess, thank you for making me laugh today !

[Kenadian]

Somebody slap me! I can't get enough, and I don't get tired of these shows. Shall I go to Nimes???

I went up to the 'belevedere' which overlooks the stage, to hopefully catch the sound check but they did it behind the curtains. Then when access up there was closed, they must have done the real sound check which I heard while in line for tickets.

It was yet another incredible show and it felt a lot different than Colmar. With the general admission 'gold seats' I was able to get 1st row in front of the magical Mr. Mas. A lot less clap along in the audience (so it isn't just the French ) and I didn't notice everyone standing all the time as the reviewer suggests, several times yes, but after 2 hours in the hot sun and sitting on rocks, the audience was definitely ready.

There is still the playfulness (Leonard went over and kinda nudged Sharon once) on stage which truly speaks of the good time they all are having. With the heat, nobody even bothered with jackets.

Hell, yea, I should go to Nimes...right???

Cheers,
Ken(adian)

[Mollydog]

Hell, yea, I should go to Nimes...right???

It's a no brainer Ken. Of course you sould go to Nimes!

Mary

[ladydi]

I second that Ken...you go to Nimes! You deserve it! What fun to schlep around France following Leonard and the band

[EricHiggins]

So, it seems some people are rich enough to afford several concerts in a week, and always in the first ranks?! lucky Ken!

Well, as far as I'm concerned, yesterday was my first ever LC concert and it was a great time. It was quite moving to see the man in the flesh, to actually see him performing these so many songs I've been loving for over 20 years (though I was in the "middle" section, the seats at 89 euros, so not too close nor too far away from the stage).
The article in the newspaper is not true, as was remarked higher: actually, the audience gave LC a standing ovation as soon as he entered the stage (to what he said "merci pour votre accueil") and later after each of his leaving the stage, plus after some songs like the Partisan. I've got to admit us French are quite chauvinistic: the Partisan was the song that got most applause, and people even applauded after some words of the song like "j'ai tant d'amis - j'ai la France entière" (shall I translate that? "I've got so many friends - i've got the whole of France"...)
As said higher, it was so hot yesterday that all the musicians were in their shirts and some of them got rid of their hats at some points. The ancient roman theater is a beautiful place and I think it's good for the artists to see their audience on these high seats, especially when they're all standing to applause - it's like a vertical audience! The show started at 8pm sharp, the intermission occurred at 9:15, the musicians came back at 9:30 and it was quite a mess as a lot of people were still refreshing at the bar then and they had to come back in the dark (some couldn't find their seats). This didn't stop LC from singing Tower of Songs (in which people applauded his mini keyboard solo - "vous êtes trop gentils!"). The concert ended after 11pm, with "wither thou goest", and LC's blessing "il y a longtemps que je t'aime, jamais je ne t'oublierai", like for all his french concerts, as I've read on this forum.
I had listened to the "live in London" album and expected the programme to be the same, so i was very pleased to hear some songs that are not on the CD like "Lover Lover Lover" and "Famous Blue Raincoat" (see setlist in an aother topic), although I was a little disappointed not to hear other songs like "democracy" which is on the Cd, or Joan of Arc (not on the cd).
i have not seen the DVD yet, and it was a good surprise to see how fit LC is at his not-so-young age: he danced like a child every time he left the stage!
I've got nothing to add about his excellent musicians ans choristes, except that I found the performance of the Webb sisters on "if it be your will" very gracious and moving. Yet the moment when i was almost moved to tears was when LC sang "famous blue raincoat". Wow! OK, fair enough, I have written too much, sorry. In a nutshell, it was a great concert and "jamais je ne l'oublierai"!

[Kenadian]

It's a no brainer Ken. Of course you sould go to Nimes!

I second that Ken...you go to Nimes! You deserve it! What fun to schlep around France following Leonard and the band

Well, I am in Nimes and there is not a room (less than 10km) to be found...well there is one for 3 persons at 243 euro. I left my name at a few places for cancellations.

I went to the Terminus Hotel, where some are staying, to see if I could find them, and ask if maybe I could store my bags in their room until after the concert, but the hotel would/could not help me. Apparently, forum nicknames are not used with hotel reservations. They at least let me leave my bags there for the mere sum of 10euro.

Well if all else fails, there is an overnight train to Strasbourg just before midnight I should be able to make.

I guess this is why people plan things But it's all an adventure!

Cheers,
Ken(adian)

[mirka]

Well, I am in Nimes
[...]
Well if all else fails, there is an overnight train to Strasbourg just before midnight I should be able to make.

Aparently the hypnosis has profound effect on some -- they follow The Man on a whim, unable to break the spell...

[sturgess66]

Wow - a lot of video from "cuuliem" on YouTube -

This is fun -

Dance Me To The End of Love
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGZqFI-seE8

Lover, Lover, Lover
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmHMbO6xwls

Anthem
Part I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2hQ0MggVtE
Part II
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbPxYXrLWDg

Waiting for The Miracle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPRNhPd0D3k

Who By Fire
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMqmqak0O8I

In My Secret Life
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bE34lriQvpQ

Everybody Knows - Tout le monde ... - terrific performance!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yW0oRzV3GMw

Bird On The Wire - niiiiiiiiice. Bob Metzer & Dino Soldo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOzqD6fCk94

Ain't No Cure For Love
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcantPbuOLA

The Future
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7DFEGoY7rQ

Thanks "cuuliem"

[sturgess66]

More from "cuuliem" on YouTube -

Boogie Street
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXd-HsF7n8M

Sisters of Mercy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuJiKCjFyiI

Suzanne
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lato6IAESlM

The Partisan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fs8fXI5koeI

Tower of Song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvJKYd_Unus

And I added another video above - Part II to Anthem - that includes an excellent "skipping" display by Leonard as he leaves the stage - including a bit weaving.

[sturgess66]

And more from "cuuliem" on YouTube- -

Famous Blue Raincoat
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VD8GYmvANgE

First We Take Manhattan - This is a very exuberant crowd!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtHhtXfbgv0

Closing Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pexCnjUiMpk

Hallelujah
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86oeqHQUJfc

If It Be Your Will
(Someone is yelling something - does anyone know what they are saying? And Leonard says "I think it's good?" - and there is laughing. He has a difficult time starting the song!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gDc9vS1f8g

I Tried To Leave You - Some new improv here!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAAVG2ZFgXU

Wither Thou Goest - (some en français) - Leonard says he wants thanks them, on a personal note, for keeping his songs alive all these years and says "I appreciate it very much."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFEShrt0xWw

[maretschkou]

If It Be Your Will
(Someone is yelling something - does anyone know what they are saying? And Leonard says "I think it's good?" - and there is laughing. He has a difficult time starting the song!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gDc9vS1f8g

I have hard a female voice coming from the first rows with a confession of love on what Leonard answered "Sounds good" , what made people laughing but I was quite far away from the stage and I may be wrong.