Good heavens, how did I get into this, when I'm content with whatever happens. Eeey... long time no see, and good to see you. Surprized at what you've written and thank you for what is obviously a sincere wish on my behalf. There's no mistaking that in your wording of it. I'm glad you acknowledged that it would be an "again"... and, in that, I rest at peace. Truly. Some of my comments here are to you, but I'll pretty much use your name, or one of your own words, when they are... so please don't take offense at something that doesn't relate to anything you've said or suggested. This is a blanket posting.
My tickets are booked and there's little chance of changing them, without incurring an unaffordable penalty. I may check, but the early show on the 24th is already Sold Out... and that's the one Leonard is attending. If I were able to get to the 2nd show on that same date, I might arrive early and, perhaps, as Leonard was leaving to turn in for the night, I might get to say "Hi Leonard... I'm Elizabeth." [I'd have to do that, as he wouldn't recognize me from any photos, since I've cut my hair and am less than pleased with the results, I might add
... so, it could easily go as it did with Jarkko and Eija, Dick and Linda, in Poland... of looking straight at me and not knowing who I was
~ I had my hair pulled up then... now, it's not even there to pull anywhere
.] Anyway, when I told my supervisor today that Leonard wouldn't be there on the date I would be, that he was going to be there five days earlier. I was very matter-of-fact about it and it was she who said, "Oh, no! Are you going to change your date for going??"
I said I hadn't considered doing that. I would have to miss work. I'd have to change my flight. I'd have to . . . ~ I mean I guess I could do all that, but it hadn't occurred to me, and that's the point, as in that
lack of considering that as an option, I wasn't feeling upset or angry, either one.
I initially booked my flight and made my reservations not anticipating Leonard's being there... I'm one of those who really, truly wants to see Anjani sing Live and meet her... G~d willing. The anticipation of Leonard's attendance came after the fact. I can't say easy come, easy go... but, if I had to attach to any attitude for this whole thing, that would be much closer to anything else that's occurring to me right now.
I barely knew where to start with this posting and still barely know where to continue... my mind is swimming with criss-crossing currents of shock and other, varying forms and degrees of emotion. I'm feeling hurt seeing people saying unkind things about Anjani, one of the sweetest, kindest, most gracious women out there, much less in the industry. I have no idea how she's been as a person throughout her life; however, it's been noted that she 'lightened' the scene when she came in the room when they were all on the road. That tells me that her sweetness is part of who she is and has not been acquired since being with Leonard... though, one might say regarding other traits, that she learned from the best... yet, even there, one would have to have known her from before. They may have come together due to some very basic similarities. They certainly come across that way. Anjani absolutely does not deserve a single unkind word in her direction, be it about her career, her singing, or her person.
As for the quality of her singing, I've played her cd for some people who have never heard of Leonard, and they loved... loved... her voice and her expression.
Leonard is an attraction, it's true; however, I do not see him as the only attraction. Anjani is a first-class musician in her own right and they have assembled a group of other, likewise, first-class musicians and music producers. This posting is addressed to anyone reading it, but I'll ask you eeey, if you happened to listen to the Warsaw concert on Polskie Radio. I did and I was astonished at all of the vocal embellishments Anjani brought to her performance. Leonard has, in his signature fashion, commented that he is only an imposter, that Anjani is the true musician. Of course, we know better... that Leonard is NOT an imposter... however, his point is still made and taken that Anjani IS a true musician, in her own right, apart from Leonard. Her vocals are fresh, alive, and vibrantly expressive... at the same time that they were smooth and soothing. She is so absolutely consistent in the quality of her singing... a true professional, who conveys her elegance and sense of ease through the sound of her voice and singing.
What Leonard has brought to Anjani is opportunity and exposure... those famed, elusive phenomena in the industry. He has also brought her first-class lyrics... however, it was Anjani's own ingenuity that brought those same, first-class lyrics
their exposure and first-class renderings. Leonard recognized it immediately. So, this is something that Anjani has brought to Leonard... her own gift. She IS something, she's PLENTY, with or without Leonard. She's a master at vocal and melodic interpretation and rendering of lyrics that come straight off the page as words only... first she flawlessly selects those that hold promise for her voice and then she does as true musicians do and sets them to melody and music... and then plays the piano herself as she sings. It's one of the things that I kept thinking as I listened... and commented on to my friend later... that playing the piano requires concentration and singing lyrics properly requires concentration... especially when you've given so much attention to the consistency of their presentation... and aren't just winging it extemporaneously each time.
For me, the most bitter truth here is that some would turn on Anjani simply, perhaps, because of nothing more than schedule conflicts. Leonard is already working on his next album. There's a Spector trial underway that Leonard may or may not be required to do
something in regard to. The two concerts are nearly a full week apart... and there are others surrounding them. They have a house to maintain in Montreal, as well the one in L.A. Leonard has a new grandson and a son, daughter-in-law, daughter, and sister who haven't seen him in awhile. He's been on a whirlwind tour overseas [I remember too well from last year how it can quickly wear you down and I'm younger than Leonard... though not by much
]. He has a life that he's still getting back on track, after the financial destruction wreaked upon it. There are so many reasons to choose from as to why he might simply choose to go home and rest and do other things... it's not even necessary to go outside the real things and into the imagined. There are plenty of things requiring his attention.
From my own experience of travel last summer, I know how exhausted I was and how long it took to recoup. Jet lag upon arrival is just the beginning. Getting a cold/the flu is the straw that broke the camel's back. Anyone with any sense [of which Leonard and Anjani have plenty] will not push themselves in situations like that. They chose to not meet-and-greet in Oslo. I'm glad not to have seen a lot of complaining about that. So, even though they had planned... and fans had anticipated... the whole nine yards there, life's twists and turns got in the way. I think it's incredibly gracious for them to be announcing at this point the change of plans. People have the opportunity to alter their own. I don't like the thought of people doing that, but at least they have the option... and that's because of Leonard's and Anjani's consideration.
I would love to see the goodwill of people who had hoped to see him... introduce his love... and sing two songs, both a duet... yes... these things are something to be enjoyed and treasured; yet, they are what they are... no one has lost out on a Leonard Cohen concert. Meeting him is meeting him, too; shaking hands with him, looking him in his eyes, and speaking and hearing a few words... I'm the last to say I don't understand how emotionally relevant this is. I know it is. Still... for whose benefit are they? Not his. He
knows the appreciation of his fans, and not only does he know it, he does more... much more... than many... maybe even most [most, when it comes to his stature, for sure]... singer-songwriter-poets to
consistently demonstrate his gratitude for those very same fans. These concerts are limited in number and in seating. Not even everyone who wants to go ~ whether he's there or not ~ are able to... that's a fact of life.
Concerts get cancelled all the time. That's a fact, too. This one's still going to happen, but there will be one voice missing on two songs, and a very brief introduction will be done by someone else... and a meeting that relatively
very few [considering the size of his worldwide fan base] would have even had the opportunity to experience, will not take place. Well, join the
many more like you... I can appreciate your disappointment, but I won't join you in the downward spiral of discontent.
Anjani has a beautiful and deeply satisfying voice. For me, with Anjani's concert tour, Anjani IS the main attraction. I feel that Geoffrey expressed it very well, with Leonard's being the wrapping paper to the beautiful gift of Anjani. Anjani's voice will sell on its own. I have Sacred Names, by her and her own, self-titled cd... and they are beautiful... still, as Leonard noted, her voice really did move to her heart. It's wonderfully undeniable. I will continue to buy Anjani's recordings as she,or she and Leonard make them. She will continue to be booked as a highly valued performer. She is not seeking a media blitz by the promoters who send less talented and accomplished skyrocketing to the top. She shares Leonard's humility.
As for us knowing the exact reasons that Leonard won't be appearing, I honestly feel that it is none of our business. The point is that he's not, for whatever single or combination of reasons. He's a private person and it's not going to make any difference at all whether we know the reason[s] or whether we don't.
My being a good sport is not currency and it doesn't come with invoices. Leonard owes me nothing. This whole thing reminds me in some remote way of a conversation that took place at a local, islandy-type bar [that felt less like one, due to its open air construction] in the Keys when I lived there almost two decades ago
. I was younger then... and looked it, in every way. I had stopped in there to find a friend, who wasn't there, and ended up talking to this guy. The conversation somehow ~ well, alcohol is really the only explanation needed for its impetus ~ got around to where he simply announced that I needed to go to bed with him. "Excuse you
!?! And... why would
that be??" [I know I didn't need to know why, but this was so astonishing, that I wanted to know how he could be saying this.] Just as matter-of-factly, as though the bottom line had been reached with all the logic of scientific proofs, he responded in all sincerity, "Because I want to." Well, there you have it, the
de facto justification... signed, sealed, and delivered. My flippant [equally arrogant, I'd say] response to his audaciousness was, "Well, if
that's the only reason I went to bed with someone who wanted to, I would never
get out of bed? And I really don't have that kind of time." I then left. In its own [as I said remote] way, this somewhat parallels this situation; that I am a good sport, that I want to meet Leonard, my man... these are no justification at all for him to alter his schedule or plans. In my playfulness with YdF and John K., I couldn't even imagine his or her making themselves get up to meet me for breakfast. Altering their daily, real life obligations on my behalf... the mere thought of that is absurd.
I'm hoping that by the time I've said all this that someone else with a voice of reason will have come alongside Jack's in support of wanting to see Anjani for the sake of seeing Anjani... and seeing, or maybe not seeing, Leonard another time will be just fine. He's already gone out there... and given of himself. I am thrilled that Ksenia and Justyna were able to meet him. If you could for even one moment imagine my face as being as beautiful as Justyna's, then just imagine that beautiful photo of her and Leonard as being me and Leonard... the spirit you see in her eyes and in her face is the same one you would be seeing in me... when I look at the photo, I recognize those inner feelings, the ones that don't come and go... so just pretend
.
I don't know what else to say at this very moment. All of this just causes me to feel very sad.
Love,
Elizabeth/Lizzy/Lizzytysh [thanks for your caring thoughts for me, eeey ~ I just feel sad that they're coming at Anjani's and Leonard's expense]
!
.