CONCERT REPORTS: Dublin, July 19, 20, 22, 23

[Womanfromaroom]

Birdonawire,

I look forward to Barcelona and to having a pint or two with you. Or three...

[Birdonawire]

Birdonawire,

I look forward to Barcelona and to having a pint or two with you. Or three...

Likewise. Although I've a feeling it may be slightly more than three.

And after last nights performance, I can't wait to see Leonard again in September.

ROLL ON BARCELONA!!!

[bridger15]

A thousand kisses deep gave me goosebumps and I shed a tear or twenty
here's my video of A Thousand Kisses Deep.... more to follow
A Thousand Kisses Deep

Incredible video! Thank you for posting this.

[nod]

Monday night was awesome, he is without any doubt the MASTER .He has a cold at the moment, and to give a performance as he did, well, awesome. I went through so many emotions as I watched Lennie sing his heart out, and I tried to sing along with him. Many people comment on his age and some even remark that he seems a little frail, well if that is what one can be like at just 75 years young, please oh please let me be like him. My father often remarked when the subject of age came up "you could be old at nine", I never understood what he meant,to me its how you think is so important. Lennie, to me, seems to be enjoying life and giving his all each night, On monday night, as I watched him sing , I imagined the story of his life unfolding with every word, every verse and every song, and what a life. I'm bringing my 16 year old son on thursday night to witness something very special, thanks Rach for the tickets.

[mydoglorca]

Just returned from our Dublin weekend. We enjoyed both concerts more than Liverpool which seemed a bit subdued. We thought Monday was even better than Sunday. The crowd enthusiasm seemded greater on Monday & at some point (I think towards the end of the first half) Leonard made a reference to it but I can't remember his exact words -something along the lines of 'the kind of reception every singer dreams of'. Maybe someone else can remember. He certainly spoke & smiled more on Monday & seemed more relaxed -they all did. At one point someone called out something & he couldn't quite hear & obviously asked Sharon what was said, then laughed. We thought on Sunday there was one extra verse to A Thousand Kisses & on Monday night it seemed to be two extra but might be wrong there.
We noticed the screen wasn't synchronized straight away on Sunday night but it didn't really affect us as we had good seats. During the interval it looked as if they were making adjustments on the screen so I expected it to be fixed but it only seemed a little improved. Quite surprised it was still out of sync on Monday. It did make it look as if he was miming. On some of the earlier concerts when we didn't have 'special tickets' we relied heavily on the screen.
People have remarked about Leonard looking frail- or frailer than last year but I wouldn't agree. I thought he looked well, better in fact than at the end of the Fall tour 08 & hugely better than the photographs I've seen of him taken around October 07. If I'm able to sprint around like that in 20 or so more years I shall be more than happy & as for his knees well....
Feeling quite sad now as that might be the last one for us

[Happygirl]

Hi all,

Just caught the last bit of a Leonard interview on RTE 1 this morning around 9.30am. did anybody else listen to it? I can't find it on the RTE website yet, if anybody finds the link, would you mind posting it here please? He sounded remarkably youthful and relaxed (who would have thought he is a morning person) and I agree with you that he looked very well at the gig.

On Monday night he said something about being grateful about being accepted in this country of poetry and song. Sometimes I wish they'd let the audience sing on their own a bit more so we can really show off our talent . Thanks a mil Albert (what camera did you use?) and Womanfromaroom for the video links, they're brilliant. So long Marianne on Monday will stay with me forever...

[Happygirl]

Haha just saw this, Leonard's youngest fan??
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IySKynpq ... re=related

[Happygirl]

Yeah interview online now: http://www.rte.ie/radio1/thetubridyshow/ at 29 mins into the show...

[IrishMar]

Thank you Happygirl, Oh how I love this Forum

Marie

[Gregor]

Lucky you paul. Has anyone met The Man yet this year in Dublin?

He was tired and went to nurse his shore throat after monday's gig, this from band members I met in Dublin
G

[Womanfromaroom]

Hi all,

Just caught the last bit of a Leonard interview on RTE 1 this morning around 9.30am. did anybody else listen to it? I can't find it on the RTE website yet, if anybody finds the link, would you mind posting it here please? He sounded remarkably youthful and relaxed (who would have thought he is a morning person) and I agree with you that he looked very well at the gig.

On Monday night he said something about being grateful about being accepted in this country of poetry and song. Sometimes I wish they'd let the audience sing on their own a bit more so we can really show off our talent . Thanks a mil Albert (what camera did you use?) and Womanfromaroom for the video links, they're brilliant. So long Marianne on Monday will stay with me forever...

Happygirl,

thanks for the thanks - but it was not really my link, all credits should got to Albert and Studio54!
But thank you for your link to the interview! I have listened to Henry Kelly quite a bit when I was in England, but I sometimes still have got certain difficulties when it comes to understanding Irish accents. Did they say at any point WHEN the interview has been recorded, or have I just missed it?
I hope Leonard's sore throat will get better soon...

[jdhayes]

The Dave Fanning "interview" was made up of old interviews and was not live. There is a very good review of the gig in today's Irish Independent by Eamonn Sweeney. I will try (I.m not very computer literate) to post it later. Someone with more computer knowledge might get there first.

[jdhayes]

Hope cut and paste works. Review in today's Irish Independent
Review: Leonard Cohen
O2, Dublin


By Eamon Sweeney

Wednesday July 22 2009

A VOICE like gravelly velvet, a backing band of peerless performers, one of the best songbooks in musical history and nearly three hours of immaculately executed sonic poetry. It really doesn't get any better than this.

Gently kicking off at 8pm sharp, Cohen (pictured right on stage at the O2) has the inimitable chiselled looks of a bona fide legend as opposed to the tiresome treadmill of limelight-hogging celebs that normally parade their tawdry wares on this stage.

Opening with 'Dance Me to the End of Love', the O2's acoustics are impeccably co-operative, even though the slightly out-of-synch screens are not. His 74 years have matured and improved his remarkable voice, illustrated with stunning starkness with 'Who By Fire', a far superior rendition to the original studio version.

The audience's mood in the first half of the show is reverential and hushed, but as the second half progresses, the buzzing euphoria is so contagious and electric the O2 could collapse with happiness.

"It's a privilege to be gathered here when the world is full of chaos, uncertainty and devastation," Cohen delightfully notes.

I've never witnessed as many standing ovations at any show.

Highlights come thick and fast. 'Hallelujah' is gloriously reclaimed from the slew of awful cover versions. I simply cannot name another break-up song as exhilarating and life affirming as 'So Long, Marianne'. This is exactly what Lou Reed was getting at when he said Cohen was among the highest and most influential echelon of songwriters.

The parting glass is suitably touching, warm and big-hearted. Surrounded by his band, he names and thanks everyone involved, right down to the bus driver. Cohen hopes we're surrounded by friends and family or else happy in our solitude. We shuffle out towards the exits, elated, uplifted and thrilled to be alive. This is live music at its most pure, elemental and thrilling.

Having not had the pleasure of attending last year's rapturously received shows in Kilmainham, I cannot make any direct comparisons. But after witnessing how highly Cohen raises the bar, he could play the public toilets in Busaras and it would still be mesmerising.

- Eamon Sweeney

[Happygirl]

Thanks for posting!

he could play the public toilets in Busaras and it would still be mesmerising.

Now that would be a thought...

[Isi]

by Happygirl on Wed Jul 22, 2009 10:31 am

Haha just saw this, Leonard's youngest fan??
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IySKynpq ... re=related[quote][/quote]

Oh this young lad has got to have a great future in front of him - to have such musical taste at such a young age! And also to have the graciousness to credit 'Weonard Cohen' - may you go far, young man.
I'm going to see Leonard in Belfast on Sunday and we'll be giving him a great Northern welcome. Can't wait - also waiting patiently for the BIG ANNOUNCEMENT