CONCERT REPORT: Fredericton, NB (May 11)

[Joe Way]

Great news! Thanks so much the set lists and comments-it almost seems surreal that this is happening! I hope that Leonard and his band are enjoying themselves as well.

Joe

[upsofloating]

I truly hope to find a full recording of this show. There must be one. Living in the moment was fine, but I'd sure like to have somethign to remind me of the evening.

[mnkyface]

. He started with a joke about it being mother's day, he said his mother told him it is easy to go to satin underware but not the other way. He laughed at that.

Sorry to be dense but what does this mean??

[Wybe]

Thanks for letting us know, what we can expect in July. It’s a wonderful set list, all songs we would like to hear. And the 2,5 hour show it’s more then we could expect, but we had hoped for that of course.

Wijbe

[svennybenny]

The reports of the first concert sound good. I am looking forward to see the master in July. Hopefully to see an to hear more of the old songs, which aren't played yet. What's about SISTERS OF MERCY, FAMOUS BLUE RAINCOAT, HEY THAT'S NO WAY, CHELSEA HOTEL?
From my point of view far too many songs of The Future & I'm Your Man.

But, anyway, it will be great!!

[Darling]

Thank you, thank you, thank you !!! I can't wait for may 31st!

[Darling]

Wow, he sings all the songs I was hoping for, I can't believe it !!!

[jawneeboy]

I was at the show and took several videos, some of which I've posted on YouTube and on the RansomNoteMusic.com page for the Fredericton show. I'm going to post the remaining videos over the next 24 hours.

http://www.ransomnotemusic.com/view-show.aspx?id=1478

[Mollydog]

Here's a review on the CBC website. It still seems unreal that this is finally happening.

http://www.cbc.ca/arts/music/story/2008 ... ur-nb.html

[emmanaomi]

Hey Steve,
Was there any merchandise available to buy, like tour t-shirts etc?? I know it's a bit tacky but I'm going to be in Manchester to see him was planning to buy everything and anything they had!
Emma

[crystal]

I must wait until July 21st to see him in Nice...

The concert in Nice is on July 22nd (I suppose it's better for you to think it's a day earlier than a day later...).

Oops, my flight is on the 21st and in my head it's the day when it starts... but you are right, one day longer to wait...

[jim devlin]

i can't help but think back to the 88 and 93 tours and waiting with as much patience as possible for the postman to bring me handwritten letters and setlists from friends all over [with newpaper clippings and cuttings too], but usually 3 or 4 [or more] days after each concert. now, of course, within hours of the very first show , via our Files, thank G-d for Jarkko and Steve & others who've already told us about Fredericton. thankyou.
Jim

[tomsakic]

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/cbc/080512/c ... _tour_nb_1

Fredericton, NB, Canada
Cohen delivers fan favourites for tour kickoff in N.B.
CBC.ca - May 12, 2008 by Bob Mersereau

NOVA.SCOTIA (CBC) - Canadian music icon Leonard Cohen kicked off his first tour in 15 years with a crowd-pleasing concert at Fredericton's sold-out riverside Playhouse Sunday night.

Greeted with one of the night's many standing ovations the moment he took the stage, the 73-year-old Cohen started by thanking the city for its hospitality towards him since his arrival in town - especially so soon after suffering flood damage.

Cohen then proceeded to deliver a program filled with his greatest hits over the approximately 2-1/2-hour show.

The set list spanned favourites like Suzanne, So Long, Marianne, Bird on the Wire and Ain't No Cure For Love, with a performance of his 1984 song Hallelujah among the evening's highlights. No new material was showcased.

Cohen appeared overjoyed at the reception he received from the Fredericton crowd and admitted that he had felt some nervousness before hitting the stage.

The Montreal-born singer, songwriter and poet was inducted into the U.S. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in March and, the day after the New York gala, announced he would be embarking on a tour, including major stops such as three days prior to the Montreal International Jazz Festival (June 23, 24, 25), two dates in Toronto (June 26, 27)[correction: June 6,7, &8] and a headline slot at Glastonbury Festival in the United Kingdom (June 29).

Two days later, he added a host of additional dates across Atlantic Canada that would precede the previously named shows in Toronto, Montreal and in Europe.

Though the intimate Atlantic Canada venues would likely offer a chance to work out the kinks of his new show before hitting bigger cities, there were few wrinkles to worry about from Cohen or his nine-piece group, according to CBC arts reporter Bob Mersereau.

Cohen proceeds next to concerts in Halifax, Charlottetown, Glace Bay, N.S., Moncton, St. John's, Saguenay, Que. and Kitchener, Ont.

[tomsakic]

Interesting re-vamping of In My Secret Life. It's much pop and slower, I have to listen to it few times to get used to it...

[libraryref]

One surprise of the Fredericton show was that there was no "official merchandise" for sale. At least, I didn't see any.