Outstanding Video Of “First We Take Manhattan” And More
My only criticisms of these two videos from the October 23, 2009 Leonard Cohen concert at Madison Square Garden are (1) timing: only portions of “So Long, Marianne” and “Hallelujah” are captured and “First We Take Manhattan” ends abruptly and (2) the unchanging perspective: all of the performers on stage are always in frame so there are no close-ups.
Clearly, I have been spoiled by albertnoonan’s videos, because otherwise, the video and audio qualities are outstanding.
Dino Soldo Stokes Up Audience
The start and stop recording choices do provide for a dandy shot of Dino Soldo urging on the audience.1 Between the end of “So Long, Marianne” and the start of “First We Take Manhattan,” the backup singers and most of the band go for the water bottles. While they are returning from their hydration break, Dino (see lower right of above image) pumps up the crowd with increasingly vigorous arm thrusts that climax in him hurling his cap to the floor of the stage. Bob Metzger (on guitar, immediately to Dino’s right) joins in the clapping, and Cohen and the entire crew respond to the crowd’s energy with an especially dynamic rendition of the song.
Stirring stuff, New York.
Leonard Cohen – Snippet of “So Long, Marianne” and most of “First We Take Manhattan” (New York, 10/23/2009)
Video from cavalierseul
Although only a fragment of “Hallelujah” is available on this video, that portion is worth viewing. And, hang around after the song ends to catch the audience rise from their seats applauding, even as the music for the next song begins.
Leonard Cohen – Last Part of “Hallelujah” (New York, 10/23/2009)
Video from cavalierseul
_____________________- This scene could well be coming to a t-shirt near you. See currently available “Dino does it for trills” t-shirt and “What would Dino do? (and would he do it with me?)” t-shirt [↩]
Thanks Dr. Heck!
Although these videos don’t capture close ups of facial expressions, etc., they do capture the “whole” of what is happening on stage – you see the whole bodies of everyone – head to toes! Leonard is so quick on his feet. At 0:52 in the first video, we see his footwork when he does one of his quick-step “backups.” And in the second video, in “Hallelujah,” we see the leg movements – the shifts from one foot to the other and the leg tightenings – as he sings “Halle-luuuuuuuuu-ja! This man performs from his head to his toes, with his whole heart and soul. There is no denying that – it is felt. He did not come to New York City to fool them!
Dino is always a joy to watch and invariably, in those moments onstage when he is “not” doing something, you will catch him watching Leonard with a loving smile on his face. I love watching Bob Metzer too. He is a quiet man – but he is always smoothly moving and swaying. Sharon Robinson is so supportive to whatever is happening onstage – and, well, actually, they all are! I think all these musicians adore Leonard Cohen. How could they not!
One other thing I just have to mention, in the first video. Well – there is Leonard at 4:05 – “Berlin!!” But – Roscoe Beck and his dancing!!
His footwork is ongoing throughout – but then at 3:20 there is a breakout!! Haha! And then again at 4:12 continuing to the end. Yup. 
Wonderful performance. Wish I had been there.