leonardcohenforum.com

Vicomtesse wrote:
One song Leonard never seems to play these days and one of my favourites is 'Joan of Arc'. I saw him singing it with Julie Christensen some years ago (either 1989 or 1993) and thought it so beautiful even better than with Jennifer Warne.

A reminder of the one time he performed this on the Old ideas tour - last november in Portland Oregan , captured by Arlene.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9L7uS7RcXQ

cohenadmirer wrote:A reminder of the one time he performed this on the Old ideas tour - last november in Portland Oregan , captured by Arlene.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9L7uS7RcXQ

Actually Joan had two outings last November. Leonard also performed the song the following night (Nov 12, 2012) in Vancouver.

Joan of Arc is one of my all time favourites and I too would love to hear it played live again. However, I believe there is a technical reason why it is not being played. I believe they had problems finding a key which both Leonard and Hattie were comfortable singing in. I heard the song a couple of times at the Dublin soundchecks and Hattie just didn't sound right. By Portland/ Victoria, I thought Hattie had nailed it - but listen carefully to Leonard. He is singing in a very low register and sounds quite uncomfortable. Joan of Arc remains on the list of songs for soundcheck "attention" on the official playlists but I haven't heard of them rehearsing the song since Vancouver so I doubt if we will get to hear the song live again. However, I would love to be proved wrong!

Wendy

Video for this show -

Uploaded by Simon Smith -
Famous Blue Raincoat / If It Be Your Will
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBIde3OJcIY

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Uploaded by Wirebird/Henry -
So Long Marianne
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoPyoNqkmJ8

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Uploaded by andybglon -
If It Be Your Will
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nWIdhoKkoY

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NOTE: Videos below uploaded by “Sweet Gypsy Wife” and “Christine Bowles” seem to be the same videos – two different accounts & different titles

Uploaded by Sweet Gypsy Wife -
Save The Last Dance For Me (ending)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgMDr-R4EZI
I Tried to Leave You - Rafael Gayol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dC8aYp6g_iQ&
I tried to leave you....1 lovely minute only
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnKwtXO-vu0
Famous Blue Raincoat
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oPLl1bkXkY
Closing Comments/Blessing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siFXLehIwT0

Uploaded by Christine Bowles -
I Tried To Leave You (partial)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZR9Gu_WHHvk
End of Closing Time- First Farewell
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJYrUnI2iIA
Famous Blue Raincoat
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNI-w2NAsN8
Save The Last Dance For Me  ending
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvii5l-g4qA

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Uploaded by Billy Whizzer -
I Tried To Leave You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ta4yJhb3VMs

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Uploaded by ffrogrocker -
Save The Last Dance for Me (partial)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u85WzJL6iM0

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Uploaded by lexz1lla -
Dance Me To The End Of Love (short clip)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9m0lt1qdbTU

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Uploaded by Michaela Ridgway -
Dance Me To The End Of Love
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcX-_C3NAIw

Nice to have you back Linda!

John Etherington wrote:It's odd that "Joan of Arc" rarely appears. I'm sure Hattie Webb could handle the female part well. The first time I ever heard the song was when Leonard sang it at the Albert Hall in 1970.

I would be interested to hear Hattie (or even Charley) sing Joan of Arc but I think her voice is too sweet. Sharon would be better as she has a more mature and soulful (the emotion not the music genre) voice.
I would love to hear Julie sing again; perhaps as a 'guest vocalist' but that's wishful thinking.

After Bournemouth we went to Brighton thinking that this would be the last time that we'd see Leonard performing live. I hope I'm wrong but he looked old and frail even with his antics and skipping across the stage. For a man of his age he is marvelous when most are sitting with their feet up in their slippers. However, he is 79 next week and a body can only do so much.
He has a new album coming out next year so we won't be losing him but I can't see him touring much longer. We are mostly judged by our occupations and many people who retire become unimportant and no longer have a purpose and begin to wither. I feel that Leonard has only gone on this long as he has a purpose...... ''Here's a man still working for your smile'' but how much longer can his body hold out under such a physicaly punishing schedule.

Leonard's mind is still alert and he still has a lot to say so I think that we'll still hear from him. I hope he does carry on as I'd like to be there on his eightieth birthday and witness him smoking again but I really can't see that happening. And.. should we really be demanding so much from a Gentleman of his advanced years.
Many fans are quite new to him and can't get enough as are us oldies but I really think he should allow himself a rest.
I hope you prove me wrong Leonard!

Vicomtesse wrote: After Bournemouth we went to Brighton thinking that this would be the last time that we'd see Leonard performing live. I hope I'm wrong but he looked old and frail even with his antics and skipping across the stage. For a man of his age he is marvelous when most are sitting with their feet up in their slippers. However, he is 79 next week and a body can only do so much.
He has a new album coming out next year so we won't be losing him but I can't see him touring much longer. We are mostly judged by our occupations and many people who retire become unimportant and no longer have a purpose and begin to wither. I feel that Leonard has only gone on this long as he has a purpose...... ''Here's a man still working for your smile'' but how much longer can his body hold out under such a physicaly punishing schedule.

Leonard's mind is still alert and he still has a lot to say so I think that we'll still hear from him. I hope he does carry on as I'd like to be there on his eightieth birthday and witness him smoking again but I really can't see that happening. And.. should we really be demanding so much from a Gentleman of his advanced years.
Many fans are quite new to him and can't get enough as are us oldies but I really think he should allow himself a rest.
I hope you prove me wrong Leonard!

For what it's worth, I just came across a review that included this passage:

The half-way interval gives time to reflect on the apparent insignificance of Cohen’s age; I’m surprised to see that he looks healthier than when I saw him on his 2008 tour and his voice’s oaky timbre is sharper and more sustained.

I trust that Leonard will do what's right, but there is a lot of wiggle room between "not touring" and "marathon." It might be necessary if he goes out again to be more judicious about the number of dates, but I'm inclined to think that meaningful work and physical activity are healthier for older people than the contrary.

Vicomtesse wrote:

John Etherington wrote:It's odd that "Joan of Arc" rarely appears. I'm sure Hattie Webb could handle the female part well. The first time I ever heard the song was when Leonard sang it at the Albert Hall in 1970.

I would be interested to hear Hattie (or even Charley) sing Joan of Arc but I think her voice is too sweet. Sharon would be better as she has a more mature and soulful (the emotion not the music genre) voice.
I would love to hear Julie sing again; perhaps as a 'guest vocalist' but that's wishful thinking.

After Bournemouth we went to Brighton thinking that this would be the last time that we'd see Leonard performing live. I hope I'm wrong but he looked old and frail even with his antics and skipping across the stage. For a man of his age he is marvelous when most are sitting with their feet up in their slippers. However, he is 79 next week and a body can only do so much.
He has a new album coming out next year so we won't be losing him but I can't see him touring much longer. We are mostly judged by our occupations and many people who retire become unimportant and no longer have a purpose and begin to wither. I feel that Leonard has only gone on this long as he has a purpose...... ''Here's a man still working for your smile'' but how much longer can his body hold out under such a physicaly punishing schedule.

Leonard's mind is still alert and he still has a lot to say so I think that we'll still hear from him. I hope he does carry on as I'd like to be there on his eightieth birthday and witness him smoking again but I really can't see that happening. And.. should we really be demanding so much from a Gentleman of his advanced years.
Many fans are quite new to him and can't get enough as are us oldies but I really think he should allow himself a rest.
I hope you prove me wrong Leonard!

OLD AND FRAIL???!!

Not from where I was sitting, right in front of him. Leaping, skipping, running, dancing, belting out vocals, getting stronger as the performance went on, hitting a peak in the encores.....................

I've noticed this negative opinion in many different professions, mainly regarding athletes, a judgement influenced purely by age, instead of performance. Some people retire because they become pressured into thinking they are past it.

Most fans would respect Leonards wishes if he did stop touring, however I think he does not look like a man who needs, or wants, or has to.

MaryB wrote:Nice to have you back Linda!

I second that.

I know that it was part of his routine but when he said that he wanted to be here on this stage to smoke his first cigarette he sounded so convincing as if he really meant to be..... we still have hope

Eve

This is just a short clip - but I think it's worth watching -

Uploaded by sofiale -

Closing Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVf5mJgcwLc

sturgess66 wrote:This is just a short clip - but I think it's worth watching -

Uploaded by sofiale -

Closing Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVf5mJgcwLc

It is indeed...

sturgess66 wrote:This is just a short clip - but I think it's worth watching -

Uploaded by sofiale -

Closing Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVf5mJgcwLc

Um, what was that phrase again from the Birmingham review? "An old man's lack of ease.."?

*snicker*

To quote... voodoo doll 79 from the Birmingham concert report.....

He solemnly addresses the crowd saying he knows that it's been a while as he didn't want to impose but then who knows when we'll meet again. A fleeting acknowledgement that, at his advanced age, this could well be his swan song tour - but boy what a swan song.
..................

I do feel that he is saying goodbye. Perhaps he'll go on until he's 80 but that'll be it then; I believe.

He's getting thinner; not in the healthy fit way but in that old man way. I saw it with my Dad. He can still put in a great performance but somebody mentioned he looked tired in the Birmingham report. Of course he's tired. Anyone half his age would be tired after such a hectic schedule but it's how quickly one recovers that matters and the older one gets, the slower the recovery.

I feel that he's giving it all he's got for one last time before hanging up his hat on performing.

HelenOE wrote:

sturgess66 wrote:This is just a short clip - but I think it's worth watching -

Uploaded by sofiale -

Closing Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVf5mJgcwLc

Um, what was that phrase again from the Birmingham review? "An old man's lack of ease.."?

*snicker*

A 'lack of ease' is a struggle. He's an old man out there struggling. Luckily not with his mind or creativity.

What is *snicker*?

Did you watch the clip? Did you see him actually doing little leaps and dance steps onstage? That didn't look like a "lack of ease" or a struggle to me at all. A "snicker" is a small laugh; I was laughing at the idea that Leonard Cohen has difficulty moving because of his age. He may wake up a bit stiff, I don't know, I'm not there when he wakes up, but once he gets warmed up he moves very freely onstage in ways that require considerable strength, good coordination and sure-footedness.

Edited to add: I noticed you mentioned that Leonard seemed thinner in your post. He's mentioned a couple of times in interviews that he's always had a sensitive digestion; he said that was what kept him away (in his younger days) from things like heroin and full-blown alcoholism. It may very well be that he's just not eating enough calories at the moment to keep up with the tremendous physical effort he's putting out, but that's not a disease process and it's self-correcting. My "pal" Weird Al Yankovic (the only other touring musician I follow closely enough to know these things) also always loses a lot of weight on tour, and he's perfectly healthy and 25 years younger than Leonard.