CONCERT REPORT: London, Ontario, May 24
Posted: Mon May 25, 2009 8:53 am
Another great one tonight, in many ways stronger than Hamilton on Tuesday (IMHO) more nuances in the singing and performances but both were strong shows. This was on OHL rink - home of the London Kinghts - a fine hockey team! The upper bowl was curtained off the rest was 98% full - don't know exact crowd size but would guess 4 to 5,000.
In Hamilton (7,000) the posters were numbered out of 200 - here it was only out of 50!!!!
Again Leonard was a bit quiet but we got a new monologue (the girls were laughing a lot during this) before Anthem about "hotel mirrors" - you know the circular ones with the circular inset and the bright lights around the rim - Leonard's advice was that if you are above 50 you should avoid them at all cost!!!!!! (I'm 48 but I know what he means! ) Said something at the end about wishing he could play longer but couldn't - like Hamilton the show built momentum but by the end I think it surpassed my hometown! It may have been me but it seemed like his "pass this way again" comment led me to believe he meant he WOULD "pass this way again" - maybe wishful thinking!
He also did the rap after Tower about the angels continuing to sing so that he wouldn't have to move on to the next thing - at the end he thanked them for 'calming him down' (can't remember his exact word though!) His talk before Whither seemed longer also. Slight flub at the start of Manhattan - the crowds' enthusiastic rhythmic clapping made him start early and then he had to stop. Long pause in 1,000 kisses after applause for the "old but still into that" line!!!!!! Partisan was again my personal favourite.
In Hallelujah he didn't come all the way to "London" to fool you! Sound again was stellar - the cameramen do a great job at capturing just the right moments and with great transitions. Leonard again spent much time crouching and singing to Javier. I am still impressed with the way he is happy to be on stage and be backup when Sharon or the girls or anyone else takes a lead role! Charley had no hat tonight! No namechecks again and during "I Tried to Leave You" he let the solos speak for themselves with no band introductions!!!!!
Setlist was the same as Hamilton:
Dance Me to the End of Love
The Future
Ain't No Cure
Bird on the Wire
Everybody Knows
In My Secret Life
Who By Fire
Chelsea Hotel
Waiting for the Miracle
Anthem
-intermission-
Tower of Song
Suzanne
Sisters of Mercy
The Partisan
Boogie Street - Sharon Robinson
Hallelujah
I'm Your Man
1,000 kisses recitation
Take this Waltz
-small bow=
So Long Marianne
Manhattan
-small bow-
Famous Blue Raincoat
If it Be Your Will - Webb sisters
Closing Time
-small bow-
I Tried to Leave You
Whither Thou Goest (with crew)
Thanks once again to Leonard and band and crew - a moment I will always remember and cherish!
Good night !
In Hamilton (7,000) the posters were numbered out of 200 - here it was only out of 50!!!!
Again Leonard was a bit quiet but we got a new monologue (the girls were laughing a lot during this) before Anthem about "hotel mirrors" - you know the circular ones with the circular inset and the bright lights around the rim - Leonard's advice was that if you are above 50 you should avoid them at all cost!!!!!! (I'm 48 but I know what he means! ) Said something at the end about wishing he could play longer but couldn't - like Hamilton the show built momentum but by the end I think it surpassed my hometown! It may have been me but it seemed like his "pass this way again" comment led me to believe he meant he WOULD "pass this way again" - maybe wishful thinking!
He also did the rap after Tower about the angels continuing to sing so that he wouldn't have to move on to the next thing - at the end he thanked them for 'calming him down' (can't remember his exact word though!) His talk before Whither seemed longer also. Slight flub at the start of Manhattan - the crowds' enthusiastic rhythmic clapping made him start early and then he had to stop. Long pause in 1,000 kisses after applause for the "old but still into that" line!!!!!! Partisan was again my personal favourite.
In Hallelujah he didn't come all the way to "London" to fool you! Sound again was stellar - the cameramen do a great job at capturing just the right moments and with great transitions. Leonard again spent much time crouching and singing to Javier. I am still impressed with the way he is happy to be on stage and be backup when Sharon or the girls or anyone else takes a lead role! Charley had no hat tonight! No namechecks again and during "I Tried to Leave You" he let the solos speak for themselves with no band introductions!!!!!
Setlist was the same as Hamilton:
Dance Me to the End of Love
The Future
Ain't No Cure
Bird on the Wire
Everybody Knows
In My Secret Life
Who By Fire
Chelsea Hotel
Waiting for the Miracle
Anthem
-intermission-
Tower of Song
Suzanne
Sisters of Mercy
The Partisan
Boogie Street - Sharon Robinson
Hallelujah
I'm Your Man
1,000 kisses recitation
Take this Waltz
-small bow=
So Long Marianne
Manhattan
-small bow-
Famous Blue Raincoat
If it Be Your Will - Webb sisters
Closing Time
-small bow-
I Tried to Leave You
Whither Thou Goest (with crew)
Thanks once again to Leonard and band and crew - a moment I will always remember and cherish!
Good night !