“If it be your will That I speak no more And my voice be still As it was before I will speak no more I shall abide until I am spoken for If it be your will”

Leonard Cohen remarked that he wrote these lines a few years back when he thought his time was done.  Well, that was 25 years ago. It became very clear to all involved last night, that he is far from done, rejuvenated and refreshed.  The man has hit the road for the first time in 15 years.  Back then, as he jokes “I was just a kid with a crazy dream”.  To my amazement, Leonard’s voice has deepened and strengthened since we last heard him live and he seems more into his music than ever.

I caught a bus to the city and met up with a friend for some beers.  In no time it was getting close to showtime, so we made it over to Place Des Arts.  We walked through the floor entrance just as Leonard and band took the stage. As expected, it was a tremendous welcome from the hometown crowd.  The goosebumps had started.  As always, Leonard was a picture of respect and grace and seemed really happy to be home.    Never have I seen more respect in a show; the entire band went out of its way to highlight the skills of each respective member, and there was a lot to go around.  Leonard has assembled one hell of a lineup for this world tour.  In a refreshing change of pace, the drummer was the quietest one on stage, giving Leonard’s booming voice center stage.  Because of the volume of the drums, everything fell into place.  You could clearly hear everything on stage throughout the theatre and the mix was sublime.  If only more artists knew how to do that.

The respect was mutual from the seats.   Almost every song got a partial standing ovation at least, but the biggest response was saved for “Hallelujah”.  As a friend of mine mentioned, this song has now become his most recognizable work (surpassing “Suzanne”, thanks to everyone and his dog releasing a cover version).  It is, in my mind, one of the few perfectly constructed songs ever written. The power in the climax of “And even though it all went wrong, I stand here before the lord of song with nothing on my tongue by ‘Hallelujah’” brought tears to my eyes, and I can safely say that’s a concert first for me.  It was the single most powerful performance I’ve ever seen.  That alone, was worth the $170.  And if you are more a fan of Leonard’s speaking voice and poetry, hearing him recite the poem “A Thousand Kisses Deep” (which seems to be an ever evolving poem) brought everything to a standstill.  Not a sound other than that voice, and some beautiful backing keyboard.  Haunting.

If you are reading this somewhere, and thinking you’d like to see Leonard Cohen before he gives up touring for good (and for all we know, this may be it), make every effort to see him this year.  There have been rumours of the tour stretching into the fall, and if that is the case, I may see you on the road.

Thanks to patook for the following sounds.  I’m reluctant to post his whole recording, but I will post what I thought were the highlights of the show.  Enjoy!

• Hey, That’s No Way To Say Goodbye
• Avalanche
• A Thousand Kisses Deep (Poem)
• If It Be Your Will
• Famous Blue Raincoat

..and a video of “Tower Of Song”.  Be sure to check out the end for some funny Leonard.

Trackback URI | Comments RSS