Tour Reviews and Other Memories from
LEONARD COHEN WORLD TOUR Fall 2008
Rotterdam
Set List - November 3, 2008
First Set
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, That's No Way To Say Goodbye
Heart With No Companion
Anthem
Second Set
Tower Of Song
Chelsea Hotel #2
Suzanne
Gypsy Wife
The Partisan
Boogie Street
Hallelujah
Democracy
I'm Your Man
Take This Waltz
Encore
So Long, Marianne
First We Take Manhattan
Famous Blue Raincoat
If It Be Your Will
Closing Time
I Tried to Leave You
Whither Thou Goest
Rotterdam
ENGLISH VERSION.
Vitale magie van Leonard Cohen
Algemeen Dagblad
- November 4, 2008 by Louis Du Moulin
ROTTERDAM - Al etende honger krijgen, die aangename kriebel speelt bij Leonard Cohen duidelijk op.
Jarenlang had de Canadese bard (74) geen trek meer in toeren, maar dik een half jaar na zijn rentree op de internationale podia hapt hij er lustiger dan ooit op los. Wat een uitverkocht Ahoy maandagavond op een gedenkwaardige hernieuwde kennismaking met de gouden bariton kwam te staan, de tweede na zijn ‘betovering’ van het Amsterdamse Westerpark op 12 juli.
Echt verrast over Cohens buitengewone vitaliteit konden de trouwe fans ditmaal natuurlijk niet meer zijn, maar de magie was er bijna drie uur lang (exclusief pauze) niet minder om. Het feilloos charmeren begon eigenlijk al met zijn kwieke sprint naar de microfoonstandaard nadat zijn negenkoppige band Dance Me To The End Of Love had ingezet. Vandaar was er naast die unieke, hypnotiserende stem het stemmige toneelbeeld vol dansende gleufhoeden dat deed denken aan zowel de ‘stripfilm’ Dick Tracy als aan de muzikale bioscoophit The Blues Brothers.
In die sobere entourage presenteerde Cohen zijn bekendste werk met een zorgvuldigheid alsof elk foutje hem op een fikse lijfstraf zou komen te staan. Daarbij sleepte de oude meester even gedienstig als soepel zijn begeleiders bij toerbeurt naar topniveau mee.
Stuk voor stuk kregen ze even hun eigen etalageruimte, de jeugdige Britse zusjes Charley en Hattie Webb, die op deze concertreis met ‘veterane’ Sharon Robinson voor de koorzang tekenen, op de valreep het meest nadrukkelijk met If It Be Your Will. Cohen zelf had toen vrijwel al zijn klassiekers reeds uitgeserveerd, echter niet zijn enige Nederlandse singlesucces(je): Lover, Lover, Lover uit 1974.
Translated by Google Translate
Vitale magic of Leonard Cohen
Algemeen Dagblad
- November 4, 2008 by Louis Du Moulin
ROTTERDAM - Al-eating hungry, who plays in pleasant tickle Leonard Cohen clear.
For years, the Canadian bard (74) does not pull in more speed, but thick half years after his comeback on the international stage he jumped at the opportunity Lustiger than ever to go. What a sold out Ahoy on Monday renewed a memorable encounter with the golden baritone came to assist, the second after his' magic 'of the Amsterdam Westerpark on July 12.
Cohen really surprised by the extraordinary vitality loyal fans could not be more natural this time, but the magic was there almost three hours long (excluding pause) no less. The infallible charm actually already started with his brisk sprint to the microphone stand after its nine-member band Dance Me To The End Of Love had deployed. Hence, there was next to that unique, hypnotic voice the quiet drama full picture hats dancing groove that reminded both the comic film "Dick Tracy as the musical bioscoophit The Blues Brothers.
In these sober entourage Cohen presented his most famous work with a care as if each mistake him a huge corporal punishment would face. It dragged the old master as ingratiating as his escorts to smooth rotation of excellence them.
Piece by piece they were equally showcase their own space, the youthful British sisters Hattie and Charley Webb, who at this concert tour with 'veterans' Sharon Robinson signs for choral singing, at the last moment, the most emphatically with If It Be Your Will. Cohen himself had almost all his classics already uitgeserveerd, however, are not only Dutch single success (you): Lover, Lover, Lover from 1974.
Rotterdam
ENGLISH VERSION.
Leonard Cohen Wederom Groots
OOR.nl
- November 4, 2008 by Tom Engelshoven
Het optreden van LEONARD COHEN, vierenzeventig, is in vele opzichten een reprise van zijn legendarische bezoek aan het Westerpark te Amsterdam, 12 juli jongstleden. Dezelfde bandleden, hetzelfde podiumbeeld, en vrijwel dezelfde songs. Ook de aankondigingen en de bewoordingen waarmee hij zijn bandleden presenteert zijn vaak exact hetzelfde. Ook van gelijke strekking: de enorme charme en overtuiging van zijn persoonlijkheid als performer, en de kracht van zijn songs. Leonard Cohen is ook vanavond weer inspirerend, liefdevol en troostrijk.
Verschillen zijn er ook. Het is fantastisch om nu Chelsea Hotel #2 (over seks met Janis Joplin) en Famous Blue Raincoat te horen, daarentegen moeten we Sisters of Mercy missen, dat in het Westerpark wel tot het toegiftenblok behoorde. Dit maakt het optreden niet wezenlijk anders. De locatie doet dat wel.
Het ‘veld’ van een mooi vol Ahoy is voorzien van keurige rijen stoelen, wat prima uitkomt voor de overwegend oudere concertbezoeker. Tegelijkertijd geeft de ambiance van sfeer en comfort de avond iets vormelijks dat ‘Westerpark’ niet had. Gezeten op hun stoelen durven de mensen nauwelijks mee te zingen met de bezwerende bariton van Leonard en de vaak hemelse vrouwenzang van Sharon Robinson en Hattie en Charly Webb (The Webb Sisters). Hierdoor krijgt de avond meer het karakter van een recital en minder van een spirituele samenkomst met community singing. En ja, en dan is er het verschil tussen in- en outdoors. Het beton van Ahoy in de herfst kan nu eenmaal niet op tegen een zomeravond in juli, waar de grillige natuur (wolken, wind en een in zonnestralen openbarstende hemel) een magische synergie aanging met de muziek.
Dat alles laat onverlet dat we vanavond wederom collectief een brok in de keel wegslikken, of een opkomende traan moeten wegpinken bij de topstukken uit het oeuvre van de meester, zoals Bird On The Wire, Secret Life, Anthem (wow, wat een song), de bijna verbeten strijdbare uitvoering van het Franse verzetsliedje The Partisan of Hallelujah, waarvoor Leonard door de knieën gaat: ‘I didn’t come to Rotterdam to fool you, and even though it all went wrong/ I'll stand before the Lord of Song/ With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah.’
Die zinnen zijn cruciaal. De oude Leonard, wederom het toonbeeld van gentlemanship, met zijn onkreukbare kostuum, de hoed in de hand nemend en bewonderend tegen het hart drukkend wanneer zijn bandleden soleren, nog iets magerder en oudemannen-achtiger dan in het Westerpark, maar toch ook vief en soms zelf dartel, staat vanavond – met als wapen zijn ‘golden voice’, een fikse portie zelfrelativering en een levenswijsheid die je alleen maar benijdenswaardig kunt noemen – voor de Lord Of Song (wie dat dan ook wezen mag, als toehoorder kun je niet om zijn bestaan heen) en wat hij zijn gehoor meegeeft kun je niet anders ervaren als een zegening. Schrijf maar op: Leonard Cohen wederom groots. Wat kan muziek simpelweg mooi zijn.
Translated by Google Translate
Leonard Cohen Large Again
OOR.nl
- November 4, 2008 by Tom Engelshoven
The appearance of Leonard Cohen, seventy-four, is in many respects a reprise of his legendary visit to the Westerpark in Amsterdam on July 12 this year. The same band, same podium picture, and almost the same songs. The announcements and the terms by which he introduced his band members are often exactly the same. Also equivalent: the enormous charm and conviction of his personality as a performer, and the power of his songs. Leonard Cohen is also back tonight inspiring, loving and comforting rich.
There are also differences. It is fantastic to now Chelsea Hotel # 2 (about sex with Janis Joplin) and Famous Blue Raincoat to hear, on the other hand, we should miss Sisters of Mercy, that the Westerpark up to the encore block belonged. This makes the action not substantially different. The site does that well.
The 'field' of a beautiful full Ahoy is equipped with neat rows of chairs, which easily leads to the predominantly older concert visitor. At the same time, the ambient atmosphere and comfort of the evening daily form something that Westerpark 'had not. Seated in their chairs people hardly dare to sing with the incantation baritone of Leonard and the often vocal ofheaven wife Sharon Robinson and Hattie Webb and Charly (The Webb Sisters). This evening, the more the character of a recital and less of a spiritual meeting with community singing. And yes, and then there's the difference between in and outdoors. The concrete of Ahoy in the fall may not happen at a summer evening in July, where the capricious nature (clouds, wind and sunshine in a sky bursting open) entered a magical synergy with the music.
All this does not prevent us tonight again a collective lump in the throat wegslikken, or an emerging need to tear wegpinken to the highlights from the oeuvre of the master, such as Bird On The Wire, Secret Life, Anthem (wow, what a song) the almost relentless combative performance of the French resistance song The Partisan or Hallelujah, by Leonard covered the knees is: 'I did not come to Rotterdam to fool you, and even though it all went wrong / I'll stand before the Lord of Song / With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah. "
Those phrases are crucial. The old Leonard, once the epitome of gentleman ship, with its integrity costume, the hat in hand against taking and admiring the heart when his bandmates stiffling solo, something leaner and old men-achtiger than in the Westerpark, but also keen and sometimes frisky self, is tonight - as a weapon with his' golden voice ', a large portion himself into perspective and a life wisdom that you can only call Decent enviable - for the Lord Of Song (who also refused it may, as an observer, you can not have outward existence) and what they are hearing you can not give otherwise perceived as a blessing. Write it on: Leonard Cohen once again grand. What can simply beautiful music.
Rotterdam
ENGLISH VERSION.
Leonard Cohen - 3/11 - Ahoy
Podiuminfo
- November 6, 2008 by Pierre Oitmann(
Het instituut Leonard Cohen houdt ermee op. De inmiddels 74-jarige Canadese zanger houdt het nu dan toch écht voor gezien. Na een, volgens velen, legendarisch concert in het Amsterdamse Westerpark afgelopen zomer, speelt Cohen deze avond voor de allerlaatste keer in Nederland en wel in de Rotterdamse Ahoy’. Voor degenen die niet op de hoogte zijn van de status van Cohen; hij wordt gezien als één van de belangrijkste singer/songwriters van zijn generatie, met een stijl die aanleunt tegen Amerikaanse folk en country en Franse chansons. Zijn liedjes werden gecoverd door artiesten zo divers als Jeff Buckley, Joe Cocker, Don Henley, Katie Melua, Rufus Wainwright, Willie Nelson, Rita Coolidge, Tim Hardin, Kate Voegele, Johnny Cash, Nick Cave en Herman van Veen. In Rotterdam neemt Cohen afscheid van het Nederlandse publiek.
Voor zijn leeftijd is Cohen nog erg kwiek. Dat blijkt alleen al uit de manier waarop de bejaarde chansonnier het podium op komt rennen. Bij opkomst krijgt hij al meteen een staande ovatie. En dan is er nog geen noot gespeeld. De bronzen stem van Leonard Cohen is zwaarder dan ooit en hier en daar vertoont het wat barstjes. Maar dat draagt eigenlijk alleen maar bij aan de toch al onkreukbare geloofwaardigheid van de sympathieke zanger. Soms geknield en met de ogen regelmatig gesloten legt de oude Cohen zijn ziel bloot. Dat het geluid in Ahoy’ wat zacht lijkt te staan is soms hinderlijk, zeker vanwege het fanatisme van het massaal toegestroomde publiek. Meer dan eens wordt de muziek overstemd door het luide en veelvuldige applaus.
“It‘s been a long time since I played in Rotterdam. The last time was fifteen years ago, when I was sixty”, mijmert Cohen aan het begin van de tweede set. “I was still a kid with silly dreams”, zo grapt de oude baas. Nog een aantal maal tijdens dit uur laat Cohen zich van zijn meest lollige kant zien. De ingetogen nummers blijven echter de hoofdmoot. Bij ‘Suzanne’, zijn meest gecoverde liedje, hoor je het publiek zacht fluisterend meezingen. Na ieder nummer neemt Cohen nederig zijn hoed af en buigt zijn hoofd. Hij lijkt onder de indruk van het overweldigende enthousiasme van het publiek. Het afscheid van een icoon; waardig en legendarisch.
Translated by Google Translate
Leonard Cohen - 3/11 - Ahoy
Podiuminfo
- November 6, 2008 by Pierre Oitmann(
The institute Leonard Cohen keeps it up. The now 74-year-old Canadian singer, the now really seen before. After one, according to many, legendary concert at the Amsterdam Westerpark last summer, Cohen plays this evening for the last time in the Netherlands and in the Rotterdam Ahoy '. For those who are unaware of the status of Cohen, who is seen as one of the most important singer / songwriters of his generation, with a style that advocated against American folk and country and French chansons. His songs were retreaded by artists as diverse as Jeff Buckley, Joe Cocker, Don Henley, Katie Melua, Rufus Wainwright, Willie Nelson, Rita Coolidge, Tim Hardin, Kate Voegele, Johnny Cash, Nick Cave and Herman van Veen. In Rotterdam Cohen takes leave of the Dutch public.
Cohen for his age is still very brisk. That much is clear from the way the elderly chanson kidney on the podium is run. At emergence, he is getting an immediate standing ovation. And then there is no note played. The bronze voice of Leonard Cohen is heavier than ever and here and there shows what the cracks. But that will merely contribute to the already integrity credibility of the congenial singer. Kneeled and sometimes with eyes closed regularly made the old Cohen expose his soul. That sound in the Ahoy 'what appears to be soft is sometimes annoying, especially because of the fanaticism of the massive flow of audience. More than once, the music overpower the loud and frequent applause.
"It's been a long time since I played in Rotterdam. The last time was fifteen years ago, when I was sixty, "mijmert Cohen at the start of the second set. "I was still a silly kid with dreams," joked as the old boss. A few times during this hour Cohen from his most funny side. The modest numbers remain the main form. For 'Suzanne', his most Retreaded song, you hear the audience join in soft whisper. After each song Cohen humbly take his hat off and bows his head. He seems to be impressed by the overwhelming enthusiasm of the public. The farewell to an icon, dignified and legendary.
Glasgow, UK
Set List - November 5, 2008
First Set
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
Sisters Of Mercy
Hey, That's No Way To Say Goodbye
Anthem
Second Set
Tower Of Song
Suzanne
Gypsy Wife
The Partisan
Boogie Street
Hallelujah
Democracy
I'm Your Man
Take This Waltz
Encore
So Long, Marianne
First We Take Manhattan
Famous Blue Raincoat
If It Be Your Will
Closing Time
I Tried to Leave You
Glasgow, UK
Set List - November 6, 2008
First Set
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, That's No Way To Say Goodbye
That Don't Make It Junk
Anthem
Second Set
Tower Of Song
Suzanne
Gypsy Wife
The Partisan
Boogie Street
Hallelujah
I'm Your Man
A Thousand Kisses Deep (recitation)
Take This Waltz
Encore
So Long, Marianne
First We Take Manhattan
Famous Blue Raincoat
If It Be Your Will
Democracy
I Tried to Leave You
Whither Thou Goest
Glasgow, UK
Music review: Leonard Cohen
ANYONE lucky enough to have enjoyed one of Leonard Cohen's comeback concerts this year will have afterwards been engaged in stacking it up alongside the greatest gigs of their life. Caricatured for many years – certainly the 15 or so since he last played in the UK – as a miserablist extraordinaire, Cohen's shows have defied stereotyping with their warmth, intimacy and humour.
This three-hour set, with interval, didn't buck the trend. The 74-year-old Canadian's set was so well practised that even the between-song asides were unchanged from the tour's summer leg. Still, lines about his experimentation with the drugs and religions of the world, and giving up because "cheerfulness kept breaking through" were worth repeating. There were also some minor alterations to the set; for example the song Famous Blue Raincoat, much missed from earlier shows, was here, while Democracy (chorus: "democracy is comin' / to the USA") was pushed to the start, where it enjoyed an understandable ovation. Otherwise hits and fans' favourites flowed freely, including I'm Your Man, So Long Marianne, Suzanne, Tower of Song and First We Take Manhattan. Cohen enjoys a back catalogue of classics and a voice that remains stunningly strong and tender.
The whole band's closing a cappella of Whither Thou Goest, though, did bear the hint of a farewell. Still skipping off stage (literally) at his age, Cohen seems as though he might have more years left in the tank, although surely none of his fans would mind if he chose just to enjoy his retirement now.
Glasgow, UK
Fan Reports
Advertisement for Cohen shows in the UK courtesy of liverpoolken on The Leonard Cohen Forum.
Discuss the tour and read fan reviews on The Leonard Cohen Forum and in French on the Leonard Cohen Forum (French site).
Cardiff, UK
Set List - November 8, 2008
First Set
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, That's No Way To Say Goodbye
That Don't Make It Junk
Anthem
Second Set
Tower Of Song
Suzanne
Gypsy Wife
The Partisan
Boogie Street
Hallelujah
Democracy
I'm Your Man
Take This Waltz
Encore
So Long, Marianne
First We Take Manhattan
Famous Blue Raincoat
If It Be Your Will
Democracy
I Tried to Leave You
Whither Thou Goest
Cardiff, UK
Blogs and Other Fan Reports
Blog - Stephen Lyons, International Voice-over Talent - "There is a Crack in Everything. That's How the Light Gets in"
Last night I saw Leonard Cohen in concert in Cardiff and it was one of the finest concerts I have ever experienced...
Discuss the tour and read fan reviews on The Leonard Cohen Forum and in French on the Leonard Cohen Forum (French site).
Bournemouth, UK
Set List - November 11, 2008
First Set
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, That's No Way To Say Goodbye
That Don't Make It Junk
Anthem
Second Set
Tower Of Song
Suzanne
Gypsy Wife
The Partisan
Boogie Street
Hallelujah
Democracy
I'm Your Man
A Thousand Kisses Deep (recitation)
Take This Waltz
Encore
So Long, Marianne
First We Take Manhattan
Famous Blue Raincoat
If It Be Your Will
Democracy
I Tried to Leave You
Whither Thou Goest
Bournemouth, UK
Cohen's three-hour set masterpiece
Daily Echo
- November 12, 2008 by Jeremy Miles
HE may be heading for his 75th birthday but Leonard Cohen surprised and delighted his audience at the BIC last night (Tuesday) by literally sprinting onto the stage and performing a three hour show.
Armed with a superb band, brilliant backing singers and a sublime catalogue of material, the poet turned singer-songwriter could do little wrong.
One of the towering talents of the 20th century, he is back on stage for the first time in 15 long years and proving that, when it comes to delivery, phrasing and great songs, he has no equal.
From the swaying opening bars of Dance Me to the End of Love to the extended encore which had the audience whooping with delight at the line “...democracy is coming to the USA”, this concert was a magnificent affair.
Somewhere in between came classics like The Future, There Ain’t No Cure For Love, Tower of Song, I’m Your Man and, of course, the vintage oldies like Suzanne, Bird on a Wire and So Long Marianne.
There were many more, too. Gems from a 40-year career delivered with help from a nine piece outfit who, under musical director and bass player Roscoe Beck, play arrangements that mix slow burning jazz with traditional European folk and some nicely laid-back rock.
It’s a smart band in every way. Even the roadies wear suits.
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