Cohen has ONE bad habit

[kkjohns]

I'm new in this forum, so I don't know if this has been brought up earlier. I love Leonard Cohen, so this is with all due respect, but I have to say that there is ONE thing that irritates me with his concerts: That he constantly introduces his musicians in the middle of the songs, and often even in their solos. It disturbes their performance, or at least my listening - disturbes it twice, first with his voice (pleasent as it may be) and second with the audience's applause that follows, and it spoils the musical magic. He could just as well introduce them between the songs. Someone should kindly tell him this.

[jarkko]

Indeed there were many introductions earlier, but during the recent legs Leonard introduces the band only twice, at the end of sets 1 and 2.

[sturgess66]

I think his introductions of his band and singers in "I Tried To Leave You" is staged. And I think it is brilliant - and the feelings genuine - and is one of my favorite things to watch - if someone should happen to post a video! There is improvising going on with some of the musicians. The same thing each performance - but then again - never quite the same. And a show of love and respect from Leonard - and given back to Leonard from each of them. A part of this wonderful show.

[Parsifal]

I think this is something he's been doing for a while. Check out the FCC album and you'll hear him doing it there. I can appreciate that it's not everyone's cup of tea, but I rather like it....and I believe it was the form to do this in showbiz in the early/middle years of the last century. So, LC was probably brought up in this tradition.

[mutti]

I find the introductions where each person's talent and contribution to the whole evening is honoured and so full of respect.
As I watched the bows with the hats off and almost a bend down to the waist at times - this is a special moment between the musician being introduced
and Leonard - almost a little meditation and centering in the middle of the concert..
I love it...no matter how many times it happens.
Mutti

[Yorkshire Lad]

Indeed there were many introductions earlier, but during the recent legs Leonard introduces the band only twice, at the end of sets 1 and 2.

I have definitely noticed that he does not introduce his band members quite as much now as in the earlier tour dates but I think in those concerts it was Leonards gratitude and humility for his fellow muscisions shining through . After all audience response from day one was excellent and I think Leonard was just enthusiastically showing his appreciation of that fact towards the rest of the band . However as the tour progressed it seemed a natural thing to limit the introductions and now I think it is just about right to pay homage to them at the end of each set .

[sturgess66]

A couple of weeks ago I watched video someone had uploaded to YouTube - from of a concert by Leonard Cohen in Oslo, Norway in 1985. I just went and watched it again. He sang "I Tried To Leave You" and his band members and singer (Anjani) were featured in solos. Leonard did not introduce them during the song - but he did at the end - introduce them all. The song lasted a looooooooong time - like maybe 12-15 minutes (it had to be uploaded to YouTube in 2 parts). And the audience who appeared to be gathered in field seemed to be absolutely loving it. They clapped along with the incessant rhythm as Leonard smiled and talked and slowly introduced his "most excellent musicians!" This is part of what Leonard said:

[He sort of spoke the first line in a sing-song way - and was smiling throughout the rest -enjoying what he he was saying - like he is speaking "tongue in cheek!"] "We have nowhere to go, we have nowhere to go. Don’t ever stop my friends. Even when we’ve gone. Even when we’ve taken that little boat across your blue waters. Even when you find yourselves alone in parts unknown. Even when you find yourself alone in your room making passes at yourself. Please don’t ever forget us. Please don’t ever forget our most excellent bass player from Fairfax Oklahoma, Mr. John Crowder."

And he continued on to introduce each member of the band. And then "And now - the girl I love - even though she has a mean streak. She translates that mean streak into passionate fire – that’s why I love her. The Pearl of the Pacific from Honolulu Hawaii Ms. Anjani Thomas."

Since I watched the video a couple of weeks ago, it has stuck in my head a number and I have laughed at least a few times - that I should not EVER forget his most excellent bass player - from Fairfax Oklahoma - Mr. John Crowder.

BUT - the point is - this was back in 1985 and that would be about 25 years ago. And right there is a sort of a basis of what Leonard does today with "I Tried To Leave You" on this tour - only today's version is more highly evolved and refined! Leonard has wonderful taste in musicians and from what I have seen he always treats them with great of respect. A lot of time you will see artists give a nod to one of their musicians and half the time you cannot catch the person's name over the applause - but you get the idea - that they are being given special mention. Leonard makes sure everyone knows about his "most excellent musicians."

Another musician who takes the time to introduce his musicians is Eric Clapton - usually done in conjunction with the song "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." He takes his time - slow and easy - bowing to each - and when he has finished introducing everyone, his bass player Nathan East says "And last but not least - Eric Clapton." Eric then sings a wonderful version of "Over the Rainbow" - and by this time, the he and the band are one happy unit. If anyone is interested, here is a video from a performance in Japan in 2001:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3Uia79MRrI

I like these "old people." Of course, there are some who never learn, but there are lots who do and I like these "seasoned" musicians - these "old people" who have learned a thing or two through the years.

Editing - I also meant to say: I think I originally watched these videos on YouTube when they were recently uploaded there - but I know that Dr. Heck also wrote about all these videos on his blog - and I just went back and reread his page. He also talks about Leonard and his band introductions in "I Tried to Leave You." But he has conveniently posted all the videos at his site.

[burningviolin]

I think his introductions of his band and singers in "I Tried To Leave You" is staged. And I think it is brilliant - and the feelings genuine - and is one of my favorite things to watch - if someone should happen to post a video!

I think he introduces band members at the end of Anthem and Take This Waltz, the last two songs of the first and second halves (minus encores), not I tried to leave you. I know they each take a turn to do a solo during this (and this makes it a fab version of the song) buy I don't think he calls them by name here...

[sturgess66]

I think his introductions of his band and singers in "I Tried To Leave You" is staged. And I think it is brilliant - and the feelings genuine - and is one of my favorite things to watch - if someone should happen to post a video!

I think he introduces band members at the end of Anthem and Take This Waltz, the last two songs of the first and second halves (minus encores), not I tried to leave you. I know they each take a turn to do a solo during this (and this makes it a fab version of the song) buy I don't think he calls them by name here...

I think you are absolutely right bv- Leonard does not introduce them by name in "I Tried To Leave You" - but they are definitely - each and every one - "introduced" - by virtue of being given the spotlight and by their solos. I mentioned the staging of "I Tried To Leave You" because of having just recently watched the 1985 video (and at that time he did introduce his musicians all by name) and here today, in 2009, he is using the same song to showcase his musicians. But you are correct, in other songs, he introduces them by name.

[MaryB]

There were definitely a lot more intros at the beginning of the tour. There were many discussions pro and con on the forum about this topic. By dropping the many band introductions, perhaps this enabled them to add more songs to the setlist .

[somewhat_nifty]

There were definitely a lot more intros at the beginning of the tour. There were many discussions pro and con on the forum about this topic. By dropping the many band introductions, perhaps this enabled them to add more songs to the setlist .

Possibly, except they seem to have reduced the setlist and dropped the intros now.

I rather like the introductions myself, however often they occur, it acknowledges everyone's contribution and makes it feel like a collaborative event. It seems to have been a part of Leonard's live shows for years and I think embodies his generous and self-effacing nature. Plus, I like knowing who everyone is too

[sturgess66]

There were definitely a lot more intros at the beginning of the tour. There were many discussions pro and con on the forum about this topic. By dropping the many band introductions, perhaps this enabled them to add more songs to the setlist .

And after all the discussions he STILL keeps right on doing it?

"Ain't no cure" - I guess.

[Parsifal]

Double posting removed by author!

[Parsifal]

There were definitely a lot more intros at the beginning of the tour. There were many discussions pro and con on the forum about this topic. By dropping the many band introductions, perhaps this enabled them to add more songs to the setlist .

Possibly, except they seem to have reduced the setlist and dropped the intros now.

I rather like the introductions myself, however often they occur, it acknowledges everyone's contribution and makes it feel like a collaborative event. It seems to have been a part of Leonard's live shows for years and I think embodies his generous and self-effacing nature. Plus, I like knowing who everyone is too

No, the setlist hasn't been reduced. Count the number of songs performed and you'll find they're the same: intros and chat HAVE been reduced, it's true, which may have added to the impression of a shorter performance. And some numbers have indeed been dropped, but they've been replaced by others.

[MaryB]

sturgess - At the beginning of the tour, the acknowledgments of band members by name came after almost every solo, in addition to the double intros that we see now. Some people didn't like that, thought it was overmuch. I attributed it to the graciousness of Mr. Cohen. It was his way of paying homage to the superb craftsmanship of all on stage.

To clarify what I had previously posted - in saying that the setlists has increased, I based it on my own experiences. From Kitchner, 24 songs, to Red Rocks, 27 songs, with some variations (Grand Prairie being the highest at 28), I noticed that by not naming the individual after the solos, the applause is not as prolonged, and, also the fact that Mr. Cohen spends less time speaking on stage, that this perhaps allowed for extra songs to be added to the setlists. Good or bad, I don't know. I love the acknowledgements and especially love to hear Mr. Cohen speak, but I also love the fact that I am hearing more songs. Can't have it both ways I guess .

Kindest regards,
Mary