CONCERT REPORT: Katowice, Poland, October 4, 2010

[musicmania]

Thanks for the videos Albert! Excellent as always!

Eva, your photos look great! Are you still floating on air? I know I am!!

Here is a link to my published review. Can't notice any editing to what I posted here yesterday which is brilliant!

http://www.drop-d.ie/leonard-cohen-kato ... 2010/10894

[majmunka]

Hello Eva,
Just have seen all your pics - especially some last ones UNBELIEVABLE
I'm soooooooooo happy for you
I'm sure it will take a loooong time to return from this cloud to earth
Warmest greetings and hughs
Marta

Thanks, Marta
I don't think I will return to the earth until Wednesday which day will find me in Bratislava.
I'm still grinning madly in every odd moments.
Eva

[majmunka]

Ahhhhh!!!

Video from "sefulemusic" - Thanks!!

"Bird On The Wire" - lovely video - and the arrangements for this song have evolved.
I like the lighting - going to tourquoise - or aqua - and green - and then back to blue.
And - as usual - beautiful solos by Bob Metzger & Dino Soldo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksQH3vfhx1M

Thanks, you managed to beat me
This is my first video ever. I have 2 or 10 more depending on the success of the IT guy who offered his help to recover the disappeared files from my memory card. *weeps* I tried to copy all the files to my PC when it suddenly stopped and after that there was no file to found anymore. (I managed to save just 3 files before the error happened.) Cross your fingers, guys.
Eva

[sturgess66]

Video.

Aint no Cure for Love Leonard in top "growling" form.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ApkYGCz3AQ

Feels so Good with some new variations in the lyrics.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0lY5UFDB3s

enjoy,

albert

Just have to say - - - - - - thank you Albert!! Wonderful video.
And yes - lovely new lyrics in "Feels So Good." Gypsies and smiles and stuff.

[holydove]

Albert, I must thank you for another set of absolutely incredible, gorgeous videos!! We really should have created a fund to send you to every concert . . .thank you, thank you, thank you!!

[astranger]

Video.

Aint no Cure for Love Leonard in top "growling" form.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ApkYGCz3AQ

Feels so Good with some new variations in the lyrics.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0lY5UFDB3s

enjoy,

albert

Just have to say - - - - - - thank you Albert!! Wonderful video.
And yes - lovely new lyrics in "Feels So Good." Gypsies and smiles and stuff.

I can't wait to see which lyrics make it on the album!

[kaz]

Katowice

It's also my 200th upload. !

Albert

Albert,congratulations on your the 200th upload.
I`ve done much,much less uploads,but on that basis I can appreciate how great is the job you`ve done.
(I know that shoulder pain. )
And two more videos from Katowice
Born in Chains.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Febzt8Qeobo
Sisters of Mercy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRGDL-LLCg4

[Hanna]

And two more videos from Katowice
Born in Chains.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Febzt8Qeobo
Sisters of Mercy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRGDL-LLCg4

Thank you Kaz!

[majmunka]

Beware, long report

Saturday, knowing that Leonard and Co already arrived to Katowice made me restless and my subconscious decided to intervene: I accidentally bought a (not changable, not refundable) bus ticket for Sunday instead of Monday. There was only one thing to do: I booked another night in the cheap Etap Hotel Katowice. The bus started at 6 AM and I arrived to Katowice at 3 PM. I was prepared for boredom but Katowice proved to be much more interesting than I have anticipated. True, a lot of rotting concrete, rusty steel, broken glass, huge gray concrete buildings, but on the other hand, I found some lovely streets, old historical buildings and kind, helpful people as well.
Monday afternoon I met the fellow forum members in a cafe not far from the venue. It was a smaller gathering than always but (maybe because of that) I enjoyed it more than ever. We left to the venue in very good mood prepared for the concert.

The stadium was a bit cold so the band had to use those small fan heaters again but hey, I was there in St. Margarethen and THAT was freezing The show was hot and wonderful as ever. My favourite moments:
1. when Leonard on his knees told Javier „te quiero” totally mispronounced, that was beyond cuteness.
2. I brought a long stem rose but my throw was a complete fail, too short with bad timing so I was sure he didn’t even notice it but after a few minutes he picked it up and that act resulted the most wonderfully romantic photo of Leonard ever, thanks to Gwen aka musicmania.
My least favourite moment: when the security guys came in for the encores forming a line the front of us! Many of us (like Vlasta) could see no more than their not so appealing faces.

I walked back to my hotel alone as it was just the opposite way than the others’ place. We’ve speculated a lot about where LC and Co might have stay and I came to a tentative conclusion. Next morning I followed my instincts and luck was with me all that day as the most improbable things happened. Arriving to the hotel I found the band already started to pack their luggages into the buses.
- Met Javier, asked his autograph on my ticket.
- Met Rafael, asked him to pose for a photo and got an autograph on my ticket.
- Met Hattie, asked her to pose for a photo and got an autograph on my ticket. She noticed my carved wood pendant and seemed to like it very much.

medal.jpg (28.2 KiB) Viewed 13249 times

I would like to give one to her (if I can find a way) but I saved this particular piece for later… She was very kind and we chatted a bit than they all left to the airport by the buses.
I kept waiting, wondering if Leonard already left earlier or not… The street was quiet and practically empty. Some fifteen minutes later I spotted two men coming toward me on the street: Roscoe and Leonard. My heart started to race. I took my book of Leonard’s artwork (the one we got in Krakow), approached them and asked for his autograph. We went inside the hotel where there was no one in the lobby except the hotel staff. I got my autograph on my book and my ticket, took a picture of him signing the hotel guest book and Roscoe took a picture of us together (bliss). Roscoe noticed my pendant, told me it's nice then turned to Leonard: Hey, Leonard, have you seen this? *g* So Leonard checked it closely, complimented it and asked about the design, the material and who made it. So I happily gave it to him. *sighs* And than he accepted the birthday present I made for him by my own hands.
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=22885&start=105#p249570
I felt honoured and like I was in Heaven.
They were not at all in hurry and we chatted for a few moments. My memory is a bit foggy but when I told him how sorry I feel about Bratislava being the last concert for me, his answer was something like „We’ll come back”. I don’t really remember the exact phrasing so it’s possible that there was a „maybe” somewhere, but it sounded very much like a promise. After that, they left to their rooms and I left the hotel as soon as my legs ceased to shake.

But these weren’t the only miracles. Wandering around the city, I crossed the train station heading to the bus terminal when someone said Hello! It was Vlasta who happened to be there waiting for her train. I could share my experience with her and she was so graciously happy for me! Half an hour later I sent her on her way and took a bus back to Krakow. I had a long time until 10PM so I put my backpack in the locker and went out for a walk. It was a short walk as I met Gwen soon as I left the building How probable do you think it was? We enjoyed killing the time together very much and these few hours were the cherry on the top of a fabulous day. Definitely my best day ever.

P.S: As I want to send a carved wood pendant to Hattie and some friends already asked for it, I will place an order for some. If you want one, send me a PM. The cost is 10 EUR. I can hand it over in Bratislava or send it by mail.

[neo]

Wow! Great story! Thanks so much for sharing your report.
And it's so great that you met Leonard Cohen and could give him those presents!

[musicmania]

Beautiful report Eva! Thanks for sharing it with us!

[Wimmer]

Hi Eva!

A great story and so wounderful your report.

Thanks for sharing with us . A wounderful pic with the long stem red rose. I love it.
See you in bratislava.
Marina

[Hanna]

Eva, Thank you for sharing with us your beautiful story.
I saw you giving him a long stem rose!

[Vlastik]

Hi Eva, great report, I was waiting for it although I got it first hand and live immediately after your meeting with LC and Co.! It was almost unreal at that warned out station hall...

Vlasta

[majmunka]

Thank you for your kind words, guys.

I uploaded another 2 videos.
Waiting for the Miracle, the first minute or so is terrible quality but I hope the rest will make it worth.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bb0qlVyVMjI
Who by Fire with Javier Mas' bandurria solo. Alas, the lighting was very poor so don't expect much...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usRZgnEXzvE

Still no news about the lost others, maybe tomorrow.

Eva