leonardcohenforum.com

Due to the fantantastic pre-sales we were offered , forum members should be occupying the first few rows of the UK concerts.

Although Leonard's magnificent keyboard solo during " Tower of Song" always receives rapturous applause I have never Known him receive a standing ovation for it.

Would a brief standing ovation from the first few rows be appropriate at this point in the concert , or would I be the only forum member standing?

I stood up in Pula to applaud one part of a song.
Nobody else did. They sat like zombies.

"if you recognise the song, could you maybe just raise your hands?"

I don't think it's the right kinda show for an ovation mid song, maybe that's because no one does it though! Don't get me wrong, I'm all for showing my enthusiasm mid song if I'm at a Spiritualized show or something, but Leonard I prefer to wait it out til the gaps...

How about a Mexican wave whilst Len is singing 'Suzanne'?

Plus, on the front row I don't wanna risk annoying those around!

Don't wear that replica City shirt then.

Right

FOXWOOD wrote:
Although Leonard's magnificent keyboard solo during " Tower of Song" always receives rapturous applause I have never Known him receive a standing ovation for it.

It is not exactly Jerry Lee Lewis is it ???
Leonard 'sends himself up' at that time ... very tongue in cheek and played for humour.

I never let it pass without a big hurrah though ...

The piano solo is a big joke and, if it gets a good response, Leonard will extend the joke - say some things and maybe play another solo or two. I say lets choose one show and give Leonard the standing ovation his piano solo so richly deserves. I don't think it has ever happened so let's do it and extend the joke on our side!

Wendy

FOXWOOD wrote:I have never Known him receive a standing ovation

Umm. Berlin early July 2009. For "then we take Berlin", everyone was standing, singing and swaying in time with the beat. Everyone. The entire auditorium.

A standing ovation has to be spontaneous or it loses all meaning.

hydriot wrote:
A standing ovation has to be spontaneous or it loses all meaning.

Totally agree, an ovation is pointless otherwise.

hydriot, you are misquoting, this is what FOXWOOD posted:

Although Leonard's magnificent keyboard solo during " Tower of Song" always receives rapturous applause I have never Known him receive a standing ovation for it.

FOXWOOD was talking purely for Tower of Song

Foxwood was not saying that Leonard has never received a standing ovation. He is saying it has never happened after the keyboard solo in Tower of Song. I think it's a great idea and I say - go for it! I hope to see video. I would be standing right along with you if I was there.

Of course Leonard has received many standing ovations after songs. At the concerts I've attended, it usually happens after Hallelujah, Suzanne, or any number of encores. Sharon has received standing ovations for Alexandra Leaving too, of course.

Standing and swaying to First We Take Manhattan is not quite the same thing - a standing ovation is standing and clapping after a song (or solo, as suggested here) whereas standing and swaying DURING a song is sometimes just excited concert behavior. It would be like saying the Rolling Stones received a standing ovation for Satisfaction (when in fact people were probably already on their feet).

Mabeanie1 wrote:The piano solo is a big joke and, if it gets a good response, Leonard will extend the joke - say some things and maybe play another solo or two. I say lets choose one show and give Leonard the standing ovation his piano solo so richly deserves. I don't think it has ever happened so let's do it and extend the joke on our side!

Wendy

I won't be there, but I think this is a great idea. Perhaps a show of hands, so to speak, here by forum members attending UK shows will show which particular concert will have the highest concentration of members in the first few rows.

I will be at the Leeds concert!

I am so befuddled by this post.... I would imagine most of Leonard's fans are from the original fans of singers and bands of the 60's and 70's. We were the generation of spontaneity and fun!

I think when Leonard first started to tour in the millenium we were shocked into a state of reverence because I think he was able to take his artistry to another level. Also we thought every concert could be the last one. I certainly did. Grief now I hope I have not jinxed things here.....

Even though I am very much older now, I still remember the thrill of listening to my first Leonard Cohen album in 1973. In some ways I become that girl again at his concerts, So yeah, if you want to organise a mexican wave or a clap at a certain point I will join in the mischievousness!