leonardcohenforum.com

Hello all;
Sorry I have not responded sooner.
Thank you for your notes and posts. They mean a great deal.
Yes. Disappointing news for me.
Leonard has asked me to step aside for this part of the tour, possibly longer. Sometimes exploring new forms of Music requires us to make extremely tough choices, regardless of our friendship.
Though my professional plans are uncertain I've had a productive year so far.
I hope we meet further on down the road real soon. I will miss you.
Take care and write when you can.
Your friend,
Dino

We will miss him.

damn, damn, damn, DAMN!!!!

I'm sure Ken (liverpoolken) will be over the roof with joy. Damn!

Aw I'm so sorry to get this news. Dino is wonderful......
He'll be greatly missed.

This is bad news and sad news. Would love to have seen Dino with the band.

"Leonard has asked me to step aside for this part of the tour, possibly longer. Sometimes exploring new forms of Music requires us to make extremely tough choices, regardless of our friendship." - Dino (part of Dino's statement on here).

Would I be wrong in thinking that Dino has been, for the past number of months, rehearsing with the Band and Leonard? Is it not odd that he has been asked to step aside now a week before the commencement of the tour?

Would I be wrong in thinking that Dino has been, for the past number of months, rehearsing with the Band and Leonard? Is it not odd that he has been asked to step aside now a week before the commencement of the tour?

Dino hadn't been rehearsing with the band for several weeks. This is not a last minute decision.

To all, if you are on Facebook, please stop by Dino's page and wish him well. I am sure he would appreciate your kind words.

MarieM wrote:

Would I be wrong in thinking that Dino has been, for the past number of months, rehearsing with the Band and Leonard? Is it not odd that he has been asked to step aside now a week before the commencement of the tour?

Dino hadn't been rehearsing with the band for several weeks. This is not a last minute decision.

To all, if you are on Facebook, please stop by Dino's page and wish him well. I am sure he would appreciate your kind words.

Thanks Marie for this clarification. I didn't like to think it was a last minute decision.

We are are all in shock now but Leonard is obviously looking to give us a different experience this time.

For further clarification:

Dino himself posted on his Facebook page on June 25:

"Quite interesting change of sound in the LC band. The sound is definitely more focused. I'm quite surprised. When you see the show you'll know why."

Take what you will from that comment. I was told this was an artistic decision made by Leonard and Dino. I think artists are entitled to make these decisions free of too much scrutiny before the final product is revealed. Obviously, once those lucky folks in Ghent see the first concert, they can provide us with their reviews of that decision.

MarieM: Obviously, once those lucky folks in Ghent see the first concert, they can provide us with their reviews of that decision.

We will be pleasantly surprised I hope.

Dino was magic in the last tour. But now we are in for something different and that makes me very excited indeed. Maybe we may have a concert like those magnificent ones of the 70's when I was not lucky to see Leonard then.

Roll on the new tour.

Very best wishes Dino in all your new adventures

Memories of the last tour made by Albert Noonan : "Dino's Solos by Dino Soldo"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLj3uvEqUNc

Wonderful Albert!

Dino you will be missed! I am grateful to have gotten to hear you play all the instruments you used in the last tour and to see your magic on stage.
Watching Albert's video of your solo's was fantastic and really does show your showmanship and talents.
It was also fun meeting you in person.
I am enjoying listening to your new CD and look forward to more.

I trust that the new tour will provide us with different sounds and I so look forward to that but will miss seeing you.

Thank you Dino for being you and I look forward to hearing about your new adventures. I hope to see you somewhere again down the road.
Cheers!
Take good care of yourself.
Lots of love
Leslie

You know, much as I loved Dino's contributions on the 2008-10 tours, I really like the idea of a different sound on the new tour. Not just new songs and the addition of a violin but, without Dino, the possibility of a new sound for old favourites. Change can be scary sometimes but personally I'm a big fan of it.

As Marie says, those of us who will be in Ghent will find out very, very soon and will report back accordingly!

Wendy

I am so very disappointed, and very much saddened by this turn of events. I cannot fathom a LC concert without Dino Soldo.

Robin - a very sad fan.

Sad news in many ways .. Dino was a big part of the sound and feel that was created over two and a half years. I take comfort from the fact that, though disappointed, Dino seems to be accepting of the decision and remains close to Leonard and the rest of the band. And like others, I am excited by the prospect of a very different sound - perhaps more pared down and less of the complicated arrangements. I will miss Dino as I will miss Bob Metzger, but I am still really looking forward to the first concert and the surprises Leonard and the band have in store for us!