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Re: Dino Soldo not in the tour band
Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 12:07 pm
by gaby&paul
Thank you so much Marsha, we deeply agree with your post. You expressed exactly what we feel after having attended two concerts with the new band line-up. Meanwhile we think it is intended that the band is more subdued.
Re: Dino Soldo not in the tour band
Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2012 4:14 am
by friscogrl
There have been four posts after mine which is about Dino not being in the band. Except for the first post right after mine the other three have been about people making comments that really don't have anything to do with that. Let's get back on point and express our thoughts about Dino not being in the band.
Marsha
Re: Dino Soldo not in the tour band
Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2012 9:05 am
by jarkko
Well said, Marsha. The moderators have received several complaints about some of the contents of this topic. This thread is supposed to be about Dino's role in the tour band.
Therefore I have moved all messages that deal more with forum posting policies than Dino to a separate thread "Comments on Forum Posting" at
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=32903
Both threads are now available for those who'd like to comment on one of these topics, or both.
Re: Dino Soldo not in the tour band
Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2012 12:56 pm
by UrPal
My view is that Dino seemed like a nice guy but not my type particularly (a bit showy) and the sax is an instrument associated with (and to some extent limited by its association with) the Jazz era to which Leonard Cohen's music does not particularly belong.
I guess in a nutshell, I'd say Dino brought a showbiz and razzamatazz element to LC shows that, whilst not so distracting from the main event it detracted from the enjoyment, I would be quite happy to live without. But then if that's your bag, he's certainly a talented musician and probably a lovely guy.
I haven't heard the current touring line-up (I hope that one day, god or whoever willing, I might have the opportunity), but am not particularly saddened it no longer includes Dino.
Postscript: I should have added that I'm surprised there is no similar thread bemaoning the absence of Bob Metzger from the current touring line-up. But then I'm more of a guitar and other-stringed-instrument kind of a guy, and also, like him, neither young nor bouncy (except when my 2 year old insists that I get my old pogoing techniques back out to "dance" with her around the house - that is, most of each non-working day and several times at night!)
Re: Dino Soldo not in the tour band
Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2012 1:54 pm
by mirka
friscogrl wrote:
[...]
But the main thing I missed was Dino's energy,it radiated from stage right to the whole band and it was infectious.
[...]
Marsha
This is exactly what I've noticed instantly watching YT clips with the new band line-up.
LC has another vision for his band now
Re: Dino Soldo not in the tour band
Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2012 3:56 pm
by UrPal
I have just watched the first video footage I've actually bothered to of the current tour and was mightily impressed.
It occurred to me as I watched the performance and video in question that the answer to some of the concerns raised by this thread are answered about 5:30 mins in to the video in question, and perhaps more by the images than the sound:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZR1MYvJ7PUs
Re: Dino Soldo not in the tour band
Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2012 5:18 pm
by TipperaryAnn
UrPal wrote:
Postscript: I should have added that I'm surprised there is no similar thread bemoaning the absence of Bob Metzger from the current touring line-up.
There is,UrPal, a Bob Metzger thread, over on Comments and Questions, which few members notice any more... a pity. Perhaps you would like to post there?
Re: Dino Soldo not in the tour band
Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2012 5:55 pm
by UrPal
Thanks for directing me elsewhere - in the more pleasant sense
I have now posted my good wishes to Bob on the other (rather briefer) thread. I had missed that one - I tend to be an erratic visitor here, so if it's not caught by the "new posts" radar then it may as well not exist for me.
This one seems to keep bobbing up though (no pun intended in either of the Metzger or "Banjo" Soldo alternative possibilities suggested).
Re: Dino Soldo not in the tour band
Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2012 11:06 pm
by MaryB
friscogrl wrote:When I first read the announcement that Dino would not be in the I was very surprised, I just assumed he would be especially since Leonard had early on said this band was the only one he would have. But I was curious to hear this new sound that was being touted and even by Dino himself.
So I watched a few videos from the current tour and quickly formed an opinion. I then stopped watching the videos because
I knew I would be seeing Leonard and the band fairly soon in Verona. I had decided I would keep an open mind and try to be as objective as I could. I was actually looking forward to hearing the violin and seeing how this instrument would be incorporated into the songs.
Now I was not a huge Dino fan, I did not need to have seats over on the Dino and Javier side. And I at times thought he could be a bit over the top but I admired his musicianship. This being said I was surprised at how much I missed Dino being in the band. And this is not a violin versus saxophone thing, it is much more than that. I think the violin is a great addition to some of the songs but not all of them. I do not think one instrument with a such a distinctive sound should have replaced Dino. He played many instruments that could produce many different sounds and to my ear he sounded good in any song. I am sorry to say that I still feel that he seemed bored - complete opposite of LC's demeanor when he is not actively singing.
But the main thing I missed was Dino's energy,it radiated from stage right to the whole band and it was infectious. The band was tight and they all seemed to enjoy themselves. In Verona I looked to the right stage and saw three guys sitting in chairs except for the solos of these three not much going on. They have about as much energy as a chamber music ensemble and there is definitely to me no chemistry between them. A wink, smile and a nod does not make chemistry.
Someone said to me in Verona that Alex would come into his own. I think what we see is who he is. Verona was the 24 th concert and I don't really see him Changing much. This is who he is which is fine but with Mitch also being mild mannered and with them sitting in theirs chairs I find them bland. I also look over to the Sharon and the Webbs and they now seem more subdued. Maybe this is the plan.
I was told that I need to respect Leonard and not question his decision to make changes. And also just because something is different doesn't mean it can't be as good as before. Well I have nothing but complete and utter respect for Leonard as an artist and a person. No other artist has affected me so much with their music, words and humility as Leonard. I think most of here admire Leonard's awareness of his humanity. I don't think he wants us to blindly accept everything he does without us forming our own opinions. And hopefully he would accept that not all us will like some of the changes that were made.
I was happy to see Leonard in Verona but out of the 15 concerts I have seen this was my least favorite and for the reasons I listed.
Marsha
I have said that I would not comment on this until I have seen a live performance. As good as videos are (thank you Albert), they do not compare to a live performance.
At intermission, I made the comment that when Alex was not playing, he seemed bored. It was wonderfully explained to me, that being the serious musician that he is, he may come across that way. I took this to heart and paid even more attention to his piercingly, aching, and beautiful sound. Then I paid attention to his 'silent' moments and it saddens me to say that those times were spent looking out into the audience, tapping his bow on his monitor, and adjusting/picking lint off his clothes. He did not seem to be involved with the beauty of the sound or the words that were transpiring on stage.
As I sat here, catching up on this thread and wondering how to say what I feel about Dino's absence, you have said it all for me, Marsha! THANK YOU!
Re: Dino Soldo not in the tour band
Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2012 1:31 pm
by margaret
UrPal wrote:I have just watched the first video footage I've actually bothered to of the current tour and was mightily impressed.
It occurred to me as I watched the performance and video in question that the answer to some of the concerns raised by this thread are answered about 5:30 mins in to the video in question, and perhaps more by the images than the sound:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZR1MYvJ7PUs
Leonard indeed appears to be transported by the beauty of the violin played by Alex. I love the sound of a saxophone, but I go to these concerts primarily to see Leonard and trust him to choose the best combination of musicians to compliment his songs. OK, Alex may look serious and not the happy clappy performer Dino was, but I am loving the sound he makes.
Re: Dino Soldo not in the tour band
Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2012 4:21 pm
by TonVH
margaret wrote:Leonard indeed appears to be transported by the beauty of the violin played by Alex. I love the sound of a saxophone, but I go to these concerts primarily to see Leonard and trust him to choose the best combination of musicians to compliment his songs. OK, Alex may look serious and not the happy clappy performer Dino was, but I am loving the sound he makes.
I agree 100% on that.
Re: Dino Soldo not in the tour band
Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 1:51 am
by brightnow
TonVH wrote:margaret wrote:Leonard indeed appears to be transported by the beauty of the violin played by Alex. I love the sound of a saxophone, but I go to these concerts primarily to see Leonard and trust him to choose the best combination of musicians to compliment his songs. OK, Alex may look serious and not the happy clappy performer Dino was, but I am loving the sound he makes.
I agree 100% on that.
Ditto!
Re: Dino Soldo not in the tour band
Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 4:09 am
by Mollydog
I've been back from Verona for almost a week and have been spending a lot of time thinking about my trip. What a wonderful city and what a fantastic venue for the concert!
I had watched a few Youtube videos before going to Verona but tried to keep an open mind about the changes to the band and also the new arrangements.
There were several high points in the concert for me. Come Healing IMHO is one of the most beautiful songs Leonard has written and I was delighted that he sang it in Verona. Also Night Comes On was absolutely wonderful.
My overall feeling after the concert was that the addition of the violin worked well for the new songs but there were an awful lot of others that seemed to be really flat without Dino’s contribution (First We Take Manhattan and Waiting For the Miracle immediately come to mind). There just didn't seem to be the same energy and vitality on stage that I had enjoyed and been caught up in during the last tour.
It will be interesting to see if any changes are made for the North American leg of the tour.
Mary
Re: Dino Soldo not in the tour band
Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 1:10 pm
by martali
Maybe someone will enjoy the new Dino Soldo's album while he isn't in the tour band
Dear Listener;
On the night of July 1st, I came home to an empty house; The family went to visit Germany. My work plans took an unexpected change and I had plenty of time on my hands. As usual, with free time brings more writing opportunity......
http://dinosoldo.bandcamp.com/
Re: Dino Soldo not in the tour band
Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2012 2:30 pm
by mirka
Dino sings about being "stabbed in the back" and being hurt, not good:
http://dinosoldo.bandcamp.com/track/arrows
Lyrics to the remaining songs aren't happy either.
What a sad end...