Leonard Cohen?

[Vanderlyle]

I would strongly recommend getting the O2 tickets if you can. I just came back from Madison Square Gardens where he was the best I've seen him yet.

The solo shows are a different kettle of fish to festivals too - I know all acts will play for longer on solo gigs, but Leonard goes an extra mile. It was 3hr 40 on Tuesday night (including interval) and every minute was spellbinding.

For those who saw his tour in 08-10 - I can tell you this set-up is even better. Introduction of the violin improves it, the new material is great, and the sound has been stripped down a little into a cleaner, more focussed product.

[russycarps]

I would strongly recommend getting the O2 tickets if you can. I just came back from Madison Square Gardens where he was the best I've seen him yet.

The solo shows are a different kettle of fish to festivals too - I know all acts will play for longer on solo gigs, but Leonard goes an extra mile. It was 3hr 40 on Tuesday night (including interval) and every minute was spellbinding.

For those who saw his tour in 08-10 - I can tell you this set-up is even better. Introduction of the violin improves it, the new material is great, and the sound has been stripped down a little into a cleaner, more focussed product.

[Vanderlyle]

spot on, it's a far far better sound without the sax etc.

Did he sing Night Comes On? I have loved that song forever and to see it live was incredible

[Vanderlyle]

Interesting quotes from Eavis:-

"There will never be anything better than Leonard Cohen's performance that night, for me... people were just lifting off the ground".

Still can't see it happening, but it would make me ever so happy...

[mrbossed]

Leonard Cohen was the reason we went to our first Glastonbury in 2008 - my partner saw he was playing and organised it as a treat for me. He was sublime and I agree with the comment above, we will never see his like again. We had such a good time that year we have been to every Glastonbury since and LC was the high point of that experience. It would be incredible if he did play this year.

[tylerdurden]

Apologies for my ignorance, but exactly what about his performances is it that makes them so special? This is a genuine question, I've never seen him and my knowledge of him doesn't extend far beyond Chelsea Hotel No.2. And Hallelujah.

[James Bolivar]

Apologies for my ignorance, but exactly what about his performances is it that makes them so special? This is a genuine question, I've never seen him and my knowledge of him doesn't extend far beyond Chelsea Hotel No.2. And Hallelujah.

[grumpyhack]

It's hard to define what lifts a performance from good to exceptional but Cohen did it at Glastonbury. Everything was spot on, the sound, the rest of the band, the arrangements. Cohen came over as warm and genuinely modest but with a great passion for his music.

It's such a shame that for contractual reasons the BBC weren't able to transmit it.

The term Legend tends to get overused but it was the right one for that night.

Edited February 4, 2013 by grumpyhack

[mrbossed]

Yes it is difficult to describe, but his music has been in life since I bought Songs of Love and Hate in 1975 (I think!) and to see him perform was a special moment worth waiting over thirty years for. The performance itself was better than even I had hoped and grumpy hack has it spot on.

[Vanderlyle]

Obviously it's hard to put this type of thing into words - I think Mardy or someone did in a separate thread when they were talking about how Blur and Cohen stood out as moments in recent years which really saw the whole crowd lifted to another level.

In terms of Cohen, I think it is the golden mixture of an incredibly strong performance (great band, great back catalogue of tunes) and an individual at the front who was clearly genuinely moved and humbled by the experience. When you mix a crowd that wants the artist to succeed on a personal level, and then the artist nails it, you get the perfect combination.

There's one other thing to note about Leonard Cohen though. He toured for 30 odd years from the mid 60s to mid 90s and never really liked it (had a ten year break from performing after that). He suffered from depression, and was extremely anxious about performing in public. However it's been widely reported that his depression that he'd lived with dissipated around the turn of the millenium. So I think part of what you were seeing was a man genuinely loving being there, happy for one of the first times in his life and I think that feeling can really feed back into a crowd (for a similar moment look at the glances exchanged between Damon Albarn and Graham/Alex in 2009)

[tylerdurden]

Obviously it's hard to put this type of thing into words - I think Mardy or someone did in a separate thread when they were talking about how Blur and Cohen stood out as moments in recent years which really saw the whole crowd lifted to another level.

In terms of Cohen, I think it is the golden mixture of an incredibly strong performance (great band, great back catalogue of tunes) and an individual at the front who was clearly genuinely moved and humbled by the experience. When you mix a crowd that wants the artist to succeed on a personal level, and then the artist nails it, you get the perfect combination.

There's one other thing to note about Leonard Cohen though. He toured for 30 odd years from the mid 60s to mid 90s and never really liked it (had a ten year break from performing after that). He suffered from depression, and was extremely anxious about performing in public. However it's been widely reported that his depression that he'd lived with dissipated around the turn of the millenium. So I think part of what you were seeing was a man genuinely loving being there, happy for one of the first times in his life and I think that feeling can really feed back into a crowd (for a similar moment look at the glances exchanged between Damon Albarn and Graham/Alex in 2009)

Edited February 4, 2013 by tylerdurden

[russycarps]

I'm sure though that his popularity exploded massively with his comeback shows 5 years ago or whenever it was.

I just dont remember him being anything like this popular in the 90s. I had all his albums but I dont recall there being this deep reverence for him. It was a bit embarrassing admitting to being a leonard cohen fan back then. Or maybe that was just me and the age I was

[CaledonianGonzo]

I think it's more to do with the fact that he'd pretty much retired and most people just assumed that they'd never get the chance to see him (again).

Admittedly he was a bit in the wilderness in the early 80s, but I'm Your Man and The Future really put him back on the map. I think things like Famous Blue Raincoat by Jennifer Warnes and the I'm Your Fan tribute album also kept him in the public view.

[russycarps]

I guess so. When I saw him at wembley last year there were loads of 20somethings there (and below), and not with their parents! I was quite amazed really. He doesnt really have a massively popular album that everyone knows. And even songs like famous blue raincoat arent THAT huge. I suppose there's hallelujah.

The fact he sells out the o2 and other 20,000 venues, at £100 a ticket, is quite remarkable. Someone like bob dylan wouldnt be able to sell out tours like leonard cohen does.

He is truly is in the top echelon of legends. Cohen, dylan, lennon/mccartney, bowie, neil young. We'll never see their type again.

Anyone that was at glastonbury in 2008 and decided to go elsewhere, you had a s h o c k e r

Edited February 5, 2013 by russycarps

[mr flow]

I didn't really know that much about him in 2008 but had a long chat with my girlfriends dad just before Glastonbury and he urged me to go and see him. I went along to check him out and I remember the second I stood in the field I was transfixed with the stage and his performance. It just oozed magic. I didn't even know any of the songs but I just fell in love with the music immediately.

I've only experienced that kind of level of connection with music on a few times and the only other time at Glastonbury was as others have mentioned Blur in 2009. Truly magical gigs that I'm proud to say I experienced.

[Wooderson]

Anyone that was at glastonbury in 2008 and decided to go elsewhere, you had a s h o c k e r

[Vanderlyle]

I didn't really know that much about him in 2008 but had a long chat with my girlfriends dad just before Glastonbury and he urged me to go and see him. I went along to check him out and I remember the second I stood in the field I was transfixed with the stage and his performance. It just oozed magic. I didn't even know any of the songs but I just fell in love with the music immediately.

I've only experienced that kind of level of connection with music on a few times and the only other time at Glastonbury was as others have mentioned Blur in 2009. Truly magical gigs that I'm proud to say I experienced.

[eFestivals]

I think it's more to do with the fact that he'd pretty much retired and most people just assumed that they'd never get the chance to see him (again).

and they wouldn't have, if his accountant hadn't stolen all his money.

[CaledonianGonzo]

True - I read an interview with Cohen last year where he almost sounded glad that that had happened as going back out on the road re-awakened his muse and his inner entertainer. He also seemed genuinely surprised at the success of his comeback and that after all those years people still gave a damn.

[Wanderlei]

Leonard Cohen is one of those very rare elite lyricists, up there with the likes of Tom Waits and Neil Young. He was amazing in 2008 - i'd love to see him again.

[Mr Benn]

Agree, if you get the chance to see him GO. He's nothing like any other act you'll ever see. Have a listen to Everybody Knows if you've not heard his stuff.

Tori Amos does an amazing version of Famous Blue Raincoat by the way.

x

[russycarps]

all his songs are so personal to him I cant bear it when people cover his work

[mrbossed]

all his songs are so personal to him I cant bear it when people cover his work

[CaledonianGonzo]

Though to complicate matters that's really a cover of John Cale's version.

[russycarps]

I dont like buckleys cover anyway. I dont think it should be sung with all that angst. It's a triumphant song, not some emo crap like buckley makes it

edit bleugh, triumphant is the wrong word, but I know what I mean!

Edited February 7, 2013 by russycarps