leonardcohenforum.com

Maybe I'm stuck in a rut. Being in the music business for a number of decades and having had the opportunity to have seen so many live performances by so many, I now have no desire to see anyone but LC and his exquisite band. He (they) are such a cut above everyone else, why spend your resources on the norm when at every LC concert you can experience the sublime best !

Kindest regards,
Mary

Hi Mary ~

Maybe I'm stuck in a rut. Being in the music business for a number of decades and having had the opportunity to have seen so many live performances by so many, I now have no desire to see anyone but LC and his exquisite band. He (they) are such a cut above everyone else, why spend your resources on the norm when at every LC concert you can experience the sublime best

If you were a "reviewer," when Jarkko requested "one liners" from reviews, I'd have submitted your second sentence. Had he allowed squeezing in two lines, I'd have added in your second sentence. Had he really stretched it and let it go to three, I'd have tacked on your first sentence.

Very high praise, indeed... and so deeply deserved .


~ Lizzy

As I said in my earlier post, I will be seeing Leonard Cohen for the first time
on May 12. I know that Leonard is a musical genius and the show will be one of the greatest musical/spiritual experiences of my life. Leonard has a presence and soulful quality unlike anyone else.
Springsteen is totally unique in his own way, and no one else does what he does. He will be 60 this year and he still put out more energy in his performances that anyone else. Just read the recent reviews of his shows in LA & Boston.
Another great performer that I have seen is Brian Wilson. I saw Brian perform Pet Sounds and Smile in the last few years and he and his band are incredible. I will be seeing him in October performing That Lucky Old Sun.
Dick Dale (the King of surf Guitar) is also amazing. I saw him a few years ago (at Age 70) and the guy can do things on the guitar that no one else can do.
One final performer who is in a class by himself is Paul McCartney. He is still on the top of his game. He just put on a 3 hour concert at Coachella. (check out some of the Youtube videos). He performed the same night as Leonard Cohen.
-Mark-

I WISH I could have seen McCartney perform! As you're rightfully indicating, Mark, there's no reason to diss anyone else in the expression of your appreciation for someone. Leonard allows for what others bring to his songs, much less to their own. I would love to be able to see Springsteen, again. Your Brian Wilson performance should be excellent... I've listened to interviews with him. You're right that Leonard has a soulfulness unlike any other. Praise be for his uniqueness. We are so fortunate and blessed to have him.


~ Lizzy

Last year I was lucky enough to see Bruce, Leonard and Tom Waits in Dublin, within a few weeks of each other. I'm a big fan of all three, but have no doubt that I'd go see LC if faced with a decision to choose between them ( and the same if Bob Dylan was added).
And an interesting note, Bruce, Bob and LC are all playing Dublin again this year. Bruce's one concert hasn't sold out yet. Bob's doing 2, but still has tickets on sale for 2nd show. Leonard has already sold out 3 shows in Dublin and added a 4th. as well as doing a show in Belfast.
I think that says it all.!!

Haha. That's funny and very accurate. What a line-up, though... LUCKY YOU! I'd LOVE to see Tom Waits, too! I've seen Dylan twice, as well as Bruce. Many years ago when he first started and then, again, at New Orleans Jazzfest.


~ Lizzy

I was a bit disappointed with Tom. I liked his stage "persona", but I'm old fashioned enough to like to hear and understand the lyrics, which I found difficult, except when he sat down at the piano to play some of his older stuff. Of course my enjoyment wasn't helped by the fact that the marquee the concert was held in was leaking right over my head in the heavy rain of our lovely Irish summer.
I've seen Bob many times, and he can be hit and miss. And am going again next month.
I've only seen Bruce once but he sure has energy and gives one hell of a performance. I'd have preferred his Seeger sessions show, but missed out on tickets at the time.

Oh, dear... I'm very old-fashioned when it comes to understanding the lyrics. If you can't, what's the point? That's really what it comes down to for me. That was an issue in seeing Dylan in New Orleans. Someone here has already described it very well... even to the point of being unable to discern which song; yet, his catalogue is so unbelievably huge that he may simply have been singing songs I've never heard... or even heard of... before; even so, had I been able to understand the lyrics, I could have left feeling I'd heard them for the first time. Tom Waits is apparently one of the few[?]/the only[?] who Leonard will actually go see perform. Adam, of course, doesn't get included in that count, for he is a given.


~ Lizzy

While I enjoy the boss, Leonard is completely on a different level. Having seen the recent seattle show, Im still blown away.

Leonard's quality and class are unequalled... it's like witnessing history in the making... like being there when Aristotle spoke. He transports you to another world. Others here have described the particulars of how he does it so well.


~ Lizzy

Think it is a true tribute to both Cohen and Springsteen to be comparing such different performers to each other!
OK- need some help here- I have a friend and she goes to the symphony and to the opera- she's about 30- and since she has never gone to a "rock" concert I have convinced her to see Springsteen tonight- how do I convince her to see Cohen when he comes here? The little she has heard is too "dark" for her.

thanks!
pat

Hi Pat ~

Your friend goes to the opera and she feels Leonard is possibly too "dark" for her? Does she attend the opera only for the music and voices, or has she never read a libretto ? Opera is filled with darkness and death, betrayal, love lost, and other forms of tragedy. Hmmm.

Hopefully, she'll love Springsteen's energy. I think I would focus on this being a chance of a lifetime and, only by seeing Leonard in person for herself will she ever be able to fairly judge. His concerts have humour throughout and his songs are every bit as moving as opera's arias and the symphony. She must come and learn for herself. It's the only way to truly know.

I sure hope you're able to make headway with her on this. What a shame for her to take the words of others... I'm sure there are plenty out there who could tell her how dreadful are opera and the symphony.

You're right on its being a true tribute to them both to be compared this way.


~ Lizzy

patri wrote: OK- need some help here- I have a friend and she goes to the symphony and to the opera- she's about 30- and since she has never gone to a "rock" concert I have convinced her to see Springsteen tonight- how do I convince her to see Cohen when he comes here? The little she has heard is too "dark" for her.

Why not get the Leonard Cohen "Live in London" DVD and have her watch it?

Stephen915,

Good suggestion. That might do it, but there is nothing like the experience of actually being at a live performance.
Pat, your friend, the opera lover, is willing to go to a Springsteen concert? I would think LC would be more up her alley . Do try to get her to see LC. The probability of her enjoying it is extremely high.

Kindest regards,
Mary

... and the likelihood of her becoming a devotee is even higher .

Seriously, do whatever needs to be done to get her there.


~ Lizzy