Who else has a crush on Dino Soldo?

[burningviolin]

Cool footage, so clear but I've a question, what is here wearing!! He's got his waist coat over a short sleeved shirt and then has this skin tight body warmer stuff? Looks like something you'd wear if you were going to go for a run or something!

[ladydi]

Believe me, it was chilly that night! He was layered....as the night went on more came off. Then the wind came up and the layers returned. Charlotte Webb actually had a scarf around her neck! And most of us ended up with jackets on.

[MaryB]

Awesome video Diana! So crystal clear. Too bad your memory card ran out . If memory serves, his body language became even more intense. Nice shot of Rafael also . Too bad the security guard wasn't shorter. What, were they afraid us baby boomers were going to rush the stage ?

[ladydi]

Er, Mary...we would probably have needed "boosters" to get us on stage....and then it would have been SO embarassing if we fell flat on our faces as we rushed to Leonard. But perhaps he would then have come over to assist us! Throughout it all, just keep smilin'! There is nothing like a good sense of humour!

Diana

[donalagata]

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[ladydi]

Hi donalagata,

It is virtually impossible to speak to Leonard unless one has a serendipitious meeting...there have been several which are well chronicled on the forum ("Cohenite encounters with Leonard" or something similar). These are totally spontaneous and unplanned.....unless you sit in his hotel lobby for 24 hours (remember that at 17!).

However, several of the band members...in fact, at one time or another, all of them have wandered through lobbies prior to a concert and are very accessible. Several are also on Facebook, Twitter, or have their own websites. Joey Carenza, Leonard's road manager, has an incredible site with photos (it could take one at the start a couple of hours to navigate!) at http://www.flickr.com/photos/fauxmantic. Every single person on stage with Leonard is so very down to earth. They are easy to talk with, and not only those on stage, but those who work behind the scenes are the most amazing individuals. Leanne, Michelle, Chris, and each person involved with sound/lighting/stage crew...this has to be the most amazing group I have EVER seen come together for one (albeit VERY long) concert tour.

Come to know the band and the crew, and you will find that you will come to know Leonard all the deeper.

Diana

[ladydi]

I have one question for you... How is it possible to give gifts to Leonard? Whats your secret???? Just wondering......
donalagata

One more thought. If you are able to meet with one of the singers or band members in the lobby, you could pass on a small gift to Leonard via them. Otherwise, if it is something relating to one of the songs that he performs (easy one...a red stemmed rose and a box of chocolates/polka dot blouse ) and if you are fortunate enough to be in the first or second row, simply approach the stage at the start of the song and gently place your gift on the floor...center if possible, but otherwise more over towards the right side...the guys are pretty good about picking things up. Then there is always the shock factor of throwing 2 or 3 dozen red roses on the stage, or as has happened in Oakland and I think once in Europe last year, one can (must be young and lovely ) leap upon the stage and throw her arms around Leonard....he seems to enjoy it . Of course, you are then unceremoniously escorted out of the premises and will never get a chance to say a word to anyone!

Good luck!
Diana

[donalagata]

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[ladydi]

Donalagata,

I had forgotten that you were also at the Detroit concert! Just went back and reread your beautiful comments, especially your thoughts on Leonard. How lovely and how true. You are so fortunate to have received a reply from him! Hopefully we will have the opportunity to meet at one of the fall concerts!

All the best,
Diana

[donalagata]

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[mnkyface]

Cross posted from the Langesund concert thread...

Cute interaction from this show: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBa5xyualFU
at about 1:30 to 1:50.

At first it seems like Leonard is trying to engage with Javier in that way he does, and sing to him, but Javier is having none of it, totally engrossed in the playing. So then LC kind of gives up on him and decides to look at Dino, who is laughing, and Dino and LC smile at each other.

Or is it just that Dino and LC are sharing a private joke about the "you make me forget so very much" part of the song, maybe a joke about LC forgetting a lyric at some point?

Either way, it's a cute moment and the smiles (from both of them!) make my day. Nice to see them so relaxed onstage.

[ladydi]

Hi mnkyface,

YES! That is so cool. I've noticed a lot of interaction between Leonard and Dino at other concerts. Always big smiles. Remember Dino mentioning once that Leonard is the same age as his father, so I think it's sort of a paternal thing, above and beyond the individul talents. What was hilarious though was the way Javier wasn't paying any attention to Leonard! Probably never even knew he was looking at him

[MaryB]

I love that they've got this secret joke going on between them . Dino always responds so well to LC. I think LC gets as much a kick out of Dino as we all do. LOVE those little interactions between LC and band members. I'm glad you spotted it Esther and pointed it out!

Best regards,
Mary

(P.S. What was all that talking in the first half of the song -grrr. Was so nice to hear the audience singing along though (that sure stopped their talking ).)

[Undertow]

He is EXTREMELY talented. As is everybody else on that bloody stage! Not only are they very privileged to be playing alongside Leonard, I think Leonard himself is privileged to have such brilliant musicians providing the vehicle for his lyrics.

I mean seriously, some of those solos (from every member of the band including the singers) are mind blowingly good. The Master of Breath (Dino himself) really does seem to give off a youthful vibe though.

[burningviolin]

What I want to know is does he get paid by the instrument?! I lost count of how many he plays...guitar, keyboard, harmonica, clarinet, sax, other instruments...