Dino Soldo not in the tour band

[tomsakic]

Wendy, I owe you a drink. Or two. Or three. We'll drink for mediocrity.
Tom

[bridger15]

We'll drink for mediocrity.
Tom

I love that as the last word. Time to lock this thread already.

---Arlene

[basecamp]

Thanks Wendy! I think you are absolutely right!

[TipperaryAnn]

Why ???
Isn't this a public Leonard Cohen Forum ?

Exactly, Mirka - a place of discussion. Some agree, some disagree - that is the essence of a forum.
That is what makes it interesting, this exchange of views.

There should be no question of one person dictating to others when a particular discussion should end or worse still when it should be locked. Those who don't enjoy a particular thread should keep away from it - there are many others.

I hope this thread still exists when I am in a position to make an informed decision about this issue, having experienced the new style concert!

(BTW, those setlists are beginning to look very familiar, so I'm glad there is SOMETHING new about this tour... )

[Vicomte]

Ann is quite correct in my opinion. I have made my thoughts known, as have others but all members should have the opportunity to put their views, whatever "side" they come down on, that is the very essence of any Forum.

[real-alan]

a place of discussion. Some agree, some disagree - that is the essence of a forum.
That is what makes it interesting, this exchange of views.

There should be no question of one person dictating to others when a particular discussion should end or worse still when it should be locked. Those who don't enjoy a particular thread should keep away from it - there are many others....

Amen to that Ann..... I've always been a little surprised by the lack of tolerance from some of the "old guard" members on here.... I like a bit of an argument (never resort to rudeness, although have been sorely tempted at times ) and find a certain "preciousness" here, at times, as if I'm intruding on "their" forum... and although I'm sure I'd get on with most of the people who post, that's why I resist with a fervour the notion of getting a nametag, and going to a "meet-up" - I have absolutely no problem with those who want to do it, but it has no attraction for me...

I'll listen to the band without Dino, and see what I think... I may even deign to share it on here, and if it's not the same as everyone else, well, it'll still be a valid opinion.... just a week to go now! It's raining here.... big time....

[cohenadmirer]

I absolutely agree this thread should remain well open until no one feels like posting anymore ,
I've already posted my view that the inclusion of violin works sublimely in many songs, and no doubt it is best to attend to the sounds that are there rather than dwell in some way on the sounds that aren't .
Mediocrity isn't a consideration when Leonard is on stage


However this evening i did a little therapeutic gardening and while doing this listened via the intimacy of headphones to some of an excellent recording of the final las vegas show in 2010( thanks Rachel !) That was a powerful reminder of what dino contributed . Personally, with few exceptions ,same song for same song i preferred the dino infused versions of the last tour to the versions i've heard this tour and i hope Leonard , or whoever decides these things ,cordialy invites him back after this section of the tour .

That said anyone who is yet to attend an old ideas summer/autumn concert is in for an enormous , non mediocre treat , even in dino's absence !

[mirka]

a place of discussion. Some agree, some disagree - that is the essence of a forum.
That is what makes it interesting, this exchange of views.
There should be no question of one person dictating to others when a particular discussion should end or worse still when it should be locked. Those who don't enjoy a particular thread should keep away from it - there are many others....

Amen to that Ann..... I've always been a little surprised by the lack of tolerance from some of the "old guard" members on here....

I don't think it's about being 'old guard' (I'm registered on this Forum since 2005, and was involved with Jarkko's website on and off since appr. '96, when few Cohen fans scattered all over the Internet tried to get together).

The nature of Internet is such that it exposes and amplifies one's true nature, sometimes hidden in everyday life.
Looks like we have a couple of 'dictators in waiting' on the Forum

Current LC tour is not a one man show, it's a group effort, and Leonard at each and every concert reminded audience about it, extensively presenting the group members, sometimes several times during same concert. The sound and feel of the music is the sum of all the band members, it's not only about how well they mastered their instrument but also about their joy of playing and life in general.
Dino's contribution is missing in the sound and feel of the current band, IMHO.

[gaby&paul]

Thank you, Mirka. I deeply agree with that.

Paul

[mirka]

I think he appreciates honest and friendly opinions of his longtime fans, this is why he started the 2008 tour in small Canadian theaters.

The reason Leonard started the 2008 tour in small theatres in the Maritimes was that he hadn't toured for 15 years,
[...]
Wendy

IMHO it would be prudent to add IMHO at the end of this sentence, Wendy , because we don't know for sure what were real reasons behind this decision.

I noticed that two songs were introduced at the Atlantic Canada in new arrangements ("Bird on a Wire" and "So Long, Marianne"), and after discussions on the Forum they were replaced with the original versions for good.

My (hopefull ) interpretation is that Mr. Cohen listens to his fans:
viewtopic.php?f=28&t=11071&start=45#p120154
viewtopic.php?f=28&t=11963

[tomsakic]

My ticket say "Leonard Cohen". Not "Leonard Cohen and the band" nor "Leonard Cohen and the Unified Heart Touring Company". Plain and simply "Leonard Cohen". Leonard Cohen does not have a band, he has hired session musicians. The best in the world, of course:)

[mutti]

My exact sentiments Tom!
Leslie

[TipperaryAnn]

Leonard Cohen does not have a band, he has hired session musicians.

That is disgracefully dismissive of people like band leader and arranger Roscoe Beck, co-writer Sharon Robinson and (absent because of illness) Bob Metzger who soldiered with LC through the hard times.

I doubt if LC would describe such old comrades as merely "hired session musicians".

[tomsakic]

I am being overtly direct so some people could get the point after so many pages of this discussion. I am happy to see that you know what Leonard Cohen would think or say. I like some of those people and love them, as LC does, but Leonard Cohen never had a backing band and that is the fact. I am sorry but that's true. This whole thread has become too funny and all that Dino stuff was funny already in 2008 when he couldn't behave on stage and 246 shows was not enough for him to learn how to be humble - quite contrary. And we do not pay to see "Dino Soldo Show as some old guy sings behind". All Leonard's backing musicians are professional and I didn't hear Perla Batalla or Julie Christensen ore anybody from 1988-93 tour band being upset because Leonard said in 1994 that the 1988/1993 tour band has worn off and that he will not tour with the same musicians again. And I never heard John Bilezikjian being upset because Leonard did not call him for this tour (no, Bilezikjian was not ill - he said in 2008 or 2009 that "his and Leonard's musical ways went into different directions" and that he wasn't called). Do you know what Sharon said when she was asked why she did not sing Waiting for the Miracle or Everybody Knows when she co-wrote the songs? "I wasn't part of his band at that time." That is what all professionals know and that's what all Leonard Cohen's collaborators do say and know how to say. They do not say "I was asked to leave". And btw Mitch Watkins is even older LC's band member, he soldiered on the road with him as early as in 1979, with Roscoe and Sharon and John B. That was during "hard times" - Bob played in 1988 (and later in 1993), and 1988 tour was a big return and success for LC, not hard times. Hard times were 1979 and 1985 tours, when wide public and the label itself (Sony) forgot about LC from 1974 up to 1988. Do you guess who played guitar in 1985 and 1979 for Leonard's live band, especially in 1985 when LC did not have money for the full band? Mitch Watkins. Please feel free to check all Leonard's live backing bands at http://www.leonardcohenfiles.com/artists.html - 1970-72 band (The Army), 1974 band, late 1974- early 1975 band, 1976 band, 1979-80 band (The Passenger), 1985 band, 1988/1993 band, plus 2008-10 band and now 2012 band.

Leonard Cohen is one of the world's leading singer-songwriters and every young and talented musician as Dino Soldo can be only excited and honored to be taught by the master. But even Leonard Cohen has his right to do his own musical choices. He has that right more than others.

[James T]

I often found Dino a little distracting. He did a good job, but I don't mind that he isn't there. Mr. Cohen can do as he pleases, he is in charge of this ship.