
(This thread has happily morphed into the "How many people listen only to classical music and Leonard Cohen?" thread!)
You are right LisaLCFan. This thread is indeed going off topic.LisaLCFan wrote:Six!
(This thread has happily morphed into the "How many people listen only to classical music and Leonard Cohen?" thread!)
You should start that thread! It would be interesting (particularly since, I have to admit, I have no interest in most of the "other music" people around here talk about!).TineDoes wrote: Is it an idea to start a new thread "The classical alternative"?. I would find it interesting to know which classical music moves LC fans.
Everything you say (which I snipped for the sake of brevity) are valid points, and I agree with the sentiment that you can appreciate music more when you know it intimately. But for us fans, that is the case with Leonard's music anyway -- the subtleties and nuances are well known and we will always find deep emotional significance in slight changes and surprises. Our old favourites will always move us in ways no other songs can, because of all the memories they evoke.PeGu wrote:I have just been to the concert in Mannheim and can answer the TS's question with a definite NO.
Hi Matt,MattW wrote:
I get the feeling that some people who are defending the setlists do so out of some sort of loyalty.. I would argue, though, that even those people . .. would not object if Mr. Cohen played a few different songs every night: but I honestly believe that there's only a very small minority here who'd actively resent it if there were 7-12 songs he'd rotate in and out of the show.
It'd be easy enough for the band to know a few more songs.
What this boils down to, if you ask me, is if you'd actually object to more varied setlists or not.. .
Matt
We are in complete agreement here, I think. It does seem rather entitled and greedy to demand from Leonard Cohen to play different songs; all I can say is that I do not demand (or even expect) it, I just wish he would. While you and others are able to approach each show with the same level of enthusiasm, I can't. Why that is, I do not know -- maybe because I am spoiled by other artists, maybe because I've never heard some of my favourites in concert ("Light As The Breeze", "Different Sides" and even "Never Any Good" come to mind), maybe I'm just not that kind of person. Who knows?holydove wrote:Hi Matt,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts - they are well said & you make some interesting points, & I copied here the ones I might like to respond to.
I think you are probably right that loyalty is an element involved here, & I don't think there is anything wrong with that; & though some might feel the same way I do, for the sake of simplicity, I will speak only for myself: for me, another element involved is that I feel so grateful that Leonard is giving any live performances at all - & brilliant live performances, I might add - that it feels like excessive greed, & maybe even arrogance, to suggest or demand that he do songs that he has not chosen to do. I don't think there is even a minority here who would actually object to different songs, or a more varied setlist; all we are saying is that we are able to enjoy & appreciate Leonard's performances, even if he does the same songs again & again, & we respect whatever he chooses to do; & even if it's a song that we've heard thousands of times, there is something different that arises within the experience, every time - sometimes the difference is in the way Leonard performs it, & sometimes it's in the way we perceive & experience it - but it doesn't matter where the difference arises from - it's just always seems to manifest & move us in new & different ways.
[...]
Very well said. My thinking is more along the lines of "Given the fact that he's still performing these great shows at his age, it wouldn't make that much difference if..." I hope, though, that a place like this is one where we can express these sentiments without being deemed disloyal. I remember hearing two songs I didn't even know existed in 2010 ("Feels So Good" and "Born In Chains") and I have to admit that hearing "Bird On the Wire" for the 20th time does not give me that same giddy rush of excitement. Well, my loos I guessholydove wrote:Personally, sometimes I do think about how wonderful it would be if Leonard performed some of the songs that have not been included in the concerts, & other times I think I don't care which songs Leonard sings, as long as he keeps singing. . [...] so, though of course I would love to hear current live versions of every song Leonard has ever written, ultimately, my feeling is that as long as he keeps singing, I want him to sing whatever makes him happy, as many times as he wishes, & it will make me happy (very very happy) too.
Matt, I know you were not "demanding" anything, & I apologize for using that word in addressing you, as it was not accurate. I like your use of the word "wish", & I understand your wish. Of course I don't think anything you said represents disloyalty. When I thanked you for sharing your thoughts, I meant it. I'm glad you expressed your wishes, I found your manner of expression to be unique & intelligent, & your tone respectful, & I hope you continue to share your thoughts.MattW wrote: It does seem rather entitled and greedy to demand from Leonard Cohen to play different songs; all I can say is that I do not demand (or even expect) it, I just wish he would.
My thinking is more along the lines of "Given the fact that he's still performing these great shows at his age, it wouldn't make that much difference if..." I hope, though, that a place like this is one where we can express these sentiments without being deemed disloyal.
Matt
Something obvious along the lines of "Given the fact that he's still performing these great shows at his age, it wouldn't make that much difference if he varied the setlists a bit more." Meaning that, I too am grateful that Mr. Cohen is still touring at all, but since he is touring, he could throw in a few different songs now and then. It's not like I'm asking him to tour when he doesn't want to (though I'd still wish exactly that, to be honest).holydove wrote:I wonder, though, if you can fill in the blanks - you wrote ". . it wouldn't make that much difference if. . ." - if what? I'm not sure what you mean & I don't want to misinterpret anything. . .