I’ll stand before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah
At 73 – many men would be settling down to a life of repose, but Leonard Cohen has been on a comeback tour – taking in festivals and arenas all over the shop. Last night he took to the stage in sharp suit and hat and delivered an amazing set ‘just the other side of intimacy’ at the O2.
So I couldn’t resist my first trip to the O2, to see Leonard Cohen playing a sold out arena for his only solo date in London on this tour. Some new tour dates have been announced – tickets on sale tomorrow.
The band were truly sublime, mixing gentle jazzy sounds, with precision arrangements and delivery. The backing vocalists – Sharon Robinson and the Webb Sisters were fantastic. There was a selection of songs from right across the catalogue, Bird on a Wire, Suzanne – through to Democracy and In my Secret Life.
Leonard Cohen was wonderful – humble, but with a just a touch of stage aristocracy. The voice rumbled around the huge auditorium, roaring at the right moments – soft and gentle in between songs when he recited a few lines or made some funny comments.
Highlights for me were a spoken word version of ‘A thousand kisses deep’, ‘Everybody Knows’ and the most amazing version of Hallelujah – which totally reclaims the song from every piss-poor cover version of recent years.
It was a truly sublime concert – and ticks one of the boxes of live music that I need to see before I die (Scott Walker is the other if you’re interested – and that box may remain empty for some time).
The O2 is a little bit sterile for this sort of gig (great venue in terms of sound and size – travel from the west of London is a bit of mission) – I suppose it will suit the Coldplay/Elton John gigs down to the ground, but you can’t blame them for picking a venue with great sound (if a little quiet) and loads of seats.
Tracklist after the jump – although my memory is a bit shaky.
The o2, London – July 17th 2008
Tracklisting – I think (done from memory)
- Dance me to the end of love
- The future
- Ain’t no cure for love
- Bird on the wire
- Everybody knows
- In my secret life
- Who by fire?
- Hey, thats no way to say goodbye
- Anthem
- Tower of song
- Suzanne
- Gypsy Wife
- Boogie street
- Hallelujah
- Democracy
- I’m your man
- A thousand kisses deep – spoken word
- Take this waltz
- So long, Marianne
- First we take Manhattan
- Sisters of mercy
- If it be your will – not LC, but the Webb Sisters on Guitar and Harp
- Closing time
I expected it to be magnificent and it was.
Had always said that I hoped to see Leonard Cohen sing before I die, little realising there was any likelihood of realising this dream.
[Hmmm. Matt I note your has very similar sentiments, that makes two of us]
By being forced out of near retirement Leonard has opened his music up to a new generation who generally have little idea of the power depth and range of his artistry but sorta thought he would be worth seeing.
The impact he had on people in our group last night who fell into that category was quite profound, they were all deeply impressed, without exception.
It was so good that I can’t think of anything else worth adding except that his recital of A Thousand Kisses deep took me by surprise and was deeply moving. Hopefully all those who thought he was lyricist now understand that his first and foremost a poet.
Don’t miss him, see him whilst you can with many more concerts now announced.
Truly a memorable evening. The performance was as good if not better than the tapes I have.
Without a doubt one of the 100 things to see before I die
Agree with all you say. A true great!I’d been waiting to see him for so many years – well worth the wait.
Although we did have a couple from Reading sitting behind us. They were very cross about the ‘terrible wine’ list at the O2!lol!Went on about it through a few songs. And just as the great man finished A Thousand Kisses Deep – the bloke from Reading said ‘beatiful words’ in a manner that suggested the thousands around him needed his help to accept this fact. We just smiled – warmed by the joy of Leonard.
Like you I was ticking a box with LC after all these years and though I was naturally excited and expectant, I was just was stunned by how magnificent this was. A cliche, but just a real privilege. Agree with your negatives about the venue, but the sound was the best I’ve heard for a long time and the band were perfect. I’ve booked again for November so putting two ticks in the box!!
The 20 somethings next to me were smoking a joint so I got the whole experience plus the nostalgia trip. (Don’t think they understood why an old lady (me age 62) thought it was hilarious – if only they knew……)
Since first hearing leonard by chance when I purchased the album “the rock machine turns you on in 1960 something when i was spellbound by “the sisters of mercy”, i have wanted to see him live. So we took the trip from Bristol and it was incredible. Sat about midway on level 1 the only downside was a occasionaly a slight echo from the rear of the monitorium. apart from that the sound was superb and he allway surrounds himself with the best musicians and backing singers. heard this morning he is in cardiff in november. not so far to go next time.
Great gig. And you’re absolutely right about Hallelujah: “reclaimed” is the word. And I say that as someone who likes a number of the cover versions (Jeff Buckley, k.d. lang, even Rufus Wainwright), though not as much as the original, obviously.
And shouldn’t that be “the sublime Webb Sisters” on guitar and harp? I began to think that was part of their official name…
Agree with all the previous sentiments and wouldn’t normally bother to leave a comment but what a truly special and wonderful evening at the 02 last night. I am not ashamed to say that hearing Mr. Cohen sing Hallelujah brought a tear to my eye, as did the brilliant Webb sisters rendition of If It Be Your Will. Will stay with me for a long time.
I went to this on bhalf of my father who unfortunately passed away at the beginning of June. My mother had bought him he tickets for his 60th birthday, but I’d always appreciated LC from my childhood, as my dad usedto play his tapes n the car constantly!
Last night i fet privelidged to go in my Fther’s pace and really enjoy the concert. What a prescence and what a voice. I was more than impressed. Hallelujah was the highlight as well as f it be your will by the Webb sisters. The band was fantastic, ad i was happy to finally see the amazing Neil Larson in action!
Having managed to get tickets with only 36 hours to go, last night was a real honour. Still spinning from it. Just to add to the set list, “I tried to leave you” right at the end, a stunning and humble end to an extraordinary evening. Watch out for a documentary on radio 4 later this summer about LC and Marianne…
Box ticked also a wonderful relaxing evening. His reading of the lyrics before the song reminded me of the late great Ian Dury, The Lyceum 1982. My dog of 15 years passed away during the afternoon of yesterday and the rendition of a Thousand Kisses Deep brought a tear to my eye. So sad that people have to leave early to catch transport, the steady flow of people leaving before the end must have made I’m your Man think he’d done something wrong.
What a fantastic night!!! Leonard seemed humbled at the applauses ans genuinely pleased to be there amongst his fans. I dragged along my girlfriend who has never been a fan, but even she is asking me to get tickets to see him in Cardiff.
Thanks Leonard for a wonderful night!!!
My sister Sally introduced me to Leonard Cohens music back in 1969- we have shared a love of his music and poetry ever since.
We went to the O2 last night to see him and it was the most memorable ,moving ,fantastic evening.Thank you Sally for my ticket and thank you Leonard for the wonderful concert.
As Lou Reed said ” it is a privilege leave at the same time as Leonard Cohen”. Cohen was great!, elegant, sarcastic, kind, cheerfull and sensible. Last time concert was one of this life events that one will never forget…just a privilege!
Thanks Cohen!
correction “it is a privilege to LIVE at the same time as Leonard Cohen”…[;)]
Saw him in 88 …so had already ticked the box. But 2008 was amazing. I saw him at Manchester Opera – a venue holding less than 2000 people. The intimacy made the performance spine tingling.
Saw him at Manchester Opera house sitting back row circle……. fantastic…………….. but then on Thursday had seats in front row block A2 at the O2. this was something else, no words can explain the feeling sitting there 10 feet away from the great man himself.
Like most others, couldn’t wait for this show. Drove down from Birmingham with 16 year old daughter for a magical evening. Don’t think that his recordings do justice to his wonderful voice – much more raw and soulful live. Perhaps a few too many name checks for the band but otherwise flawless. Having spent s fortune to get to the O2, bit miffed to find he’s coming to Birmingham in November! But what the hell, booked again for the whole family this time!! Definitely not to be missed and hope there’s a DVD issue shortly.
Having seen LC at the Albert hall in the 60’s, having all his poetry, books, various biographies, it was the greatest privilege to see him in London again – a wonderful performance by one who knew his audience. Calling us friends was not casual. This performance was no simple fund raiser, immaculately prepared for an audience who expected, and got, nothing less than they expected. Given, once again, from the heart.
Saw Leonard in Edinburgh, having travelled up
from Liverpool with my good friend George, who hasn’t really listened to him. He was knocked out by the whole event, and I was totally in awe of a true musical Genius. The backing singers were amazing and the musicians stunning. Many of his earlier songs took on new meaning by his 73 year old deeper voice.
After listening to Leonard on my own for many years, it was good to discover that I’m not a ’saddo’, there are thousands of us!!
I am the 16 year old daughter and that night was truly awe-inspiring. I have been a huge fan for a long time now, and this show really came at the best possible time. It was simply breathtaking.
Ashamedly, I have admitted preference for Jeff Buckley’s Hallelujah, but now, I can finally say it is entirely Leonard’s song!
I cannot wait for Birmingham in November. Our once in a lifetime opportunity is happening twice!
Like Rob, I first came across Cohen on the CBS sampler “The rock machine turns you on” in the 60’s. Since then I have bombarded friends and family with the albums, often experiencing derision by those who would prefer boybands or the sloppy nursery rhymes of Paul McCartney etal. Cohen is in a class of his own. Having seen him in concert 4 times previously at gigs throughout the decades, last Thursday’s concert was the tops. Initially, I had doubts about the venue and I must admit when I sat in my seat, I came as close as I ever have to vertigo but the minute the great man ran onto the stage, he took all other thoughts out of my mind. Probably the greatest concert I have ever attended and I came away feeling humbled and in total awe of the man. In some ways – thank God his manager ripped him off – we are all the beneficiaries.
Like a lot of other people I never thought I would see him. First got turned on toe the music in the sixties with Songs from a Room. Saw him on 16th July at Edinburgh Castle and everthing that has been said so far is true except it poured with rain towards the end during the encore. The whole evening was transfixing, superlatives are useless!
I’m still reliving every minute of the concert. I saw him in the Stadium in Dublin in 1972. Last Thursday was the icing on my personal cake. Thousands of cigarettes have improved his voice, age has sharpened his wit and millions will hear him who mightn’t have had he not been ripped off by his manager/lover.
Like Rob and Mike, I too have “The Rock machine turns you on” as well as all the albums, novels and poetry. No-one spans the decades like Cohen, a man more likely to give you spiritual experience than amy clerics I know.
Having being a Leonard fan for about 20 years since about aged 19 – listening to his songs so much they are as familiar as christmas hymns – I was a little worried that seeing him for the first time live at 73 might perhaps be a mistake, a bit of a let down, a weaker voice – how wrong could I be – he blew me away, better than any CD, I think every fan amongst the thousands at the o2 felt he was singing to only them just as he has in our front rooms for so many years, I was glad for the darkness as I really didn’t expect to be reduced to tears quite so often – loved every minute for his beautiful voice, a chance to see his quirky presence – just wished I could have given him a big hug at then end – best night ever x
Trecked to the O2 last night: God he was good, and so were they all. A slightly jaunty “That’s no way to say goodbye” didn’t seem quite right, but to hear the newly-put-in “Partisan” and “famous Blue Raincoat” was bliss. Nearly three hours at his age!!! Better than the Albert Hall was it really 14 years ago?
Can we expect a DVD of the O2 concert? If so when. WE always feel left out on the southern tip of Africa and such a DVD will be a wonderful consolation
I have no idea… but I’d buy it if there was one available – I didn’t see any TV cameras there, apart from the ones shooting for the screens in the auditorium.