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Belfast says a mighty hallelujah for Cohen
Monday, 27 July 2009
enlargeGeorge Michael turned it into a disco, Kylie into a party, Bruce into the best night in a bar ever.
Last night Leonard Cohen and his Unified Heart Touring Company turned the soulless barn of Belfast’s Odyssey into the best cafe in Europe, one of those all-night bars in Paris known to the few.
Of course, when you get a standing ovation before you’ve a note growled out then you’re among friends.
Those who don’t get Cohen miss a treat. Yes there are the songs of loss and loneliness, but leavened with a wit drier than a drought in the sahara.
And songs of love among the greatest ever written.
Kicking off to Dance Me To the End of Love a near-full house of mainly middle-aged reliving the bedsit years moved with every note. And clung on to every word. It was almost a revivalist meeting and not just because he spent a lot of time kneeling on the carpet.
With a perfect band a special mention must go to the backing trio of Cohen collaborator and lover Sharon Robinson and sisters Patti and Charley Webb.
And how could you not love a man who writes, “I fought against the bottle, but I had to do it drunk”.
Hallelujah won a deserving standing ovation and a place in hell for Simon Cowell, while you haven’t lived until you’ve seen a 74-year-old man seduce every woman in the audience during I’m Your Man.
It’s a bad world out there. Cohen provides a soundtrack to understand it. Genius.
Shane Donaghey
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Comments
34 Comments
A thoughtful and all-around well done review, with one exception of the fact-checking variety: Sharon Robinson is not Leonard Cohen's lover, unless on a clandestine basis. She is his collaborator in the musical arena, having worked beside him for thirty years as backing vocalist, songwriting partner, and producer (though not all at the same time). His lover (so far as the public knows, though I suppose neither should need to issue a press release upon the relationship's end) is singer Anjani Thomas. Thanks!
Posted by Ben | 08.09.09, 07:51 GMT
"you haven’t lived until you’ve seen a 74-year-old man seduce every woman in the audience during I’m Your Man."
-So, so true... and I admit to being one of them!
Posted by Marie Rains | 27.08.09, 02:50 GMT
I m a life long Leonard fan - saw him in the old Stadium in Dublin in the 70's where he was brilliant and have raved about it since! I persuaded my very skeptical non fan wife to come - her birthday threat! And what a treat is was - it was brilliant - all I had expected & more - the band were were superb and Sharon & the Webb sisters were out of this world - in particular If it be Your Will. My wife is now a firm convert and we listen to the Live CD at every opportunity. Thank you so much Mr Cohen.
Gerry
Posted by Gerry | 19.08.09, 21:19 GMT
ce fut un merveilleux spectacle à Nantes en France et on aurait voulu lui crier "ne part pas petit homme, reste avec nous, chante encore un moment.. on t'aime " fantastique Léonard Cohen!!!!!!!!
Posted by yves | 16.08.09, 17:57 GMT
Leonard continues to thrill the world with the absolute best concerts ever, in a lifetime. I love Belfast, and N.Ireland, where I have visited several times and have family I dearly love. I love Leonard Cohen and his native Canada, where I reside. I saw Leonard here in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada in April of this year and every day since I have re-lived the thrill in my mind. I am happy to hear that he brought his musical wonder, and his superb accompanying singers and musicians to Belfast. What a beautiful poet, musician and gentleman.
Posted by Doreen Mason | 05.08.09, 18:35 GMT
One of the best, if not the best concerts i have been to. Cohen backed by a superb band created a sublime atmosphere and reminded everyone why he is such a star. with an embarassment of riches of songs to choose from he showcased his humour, wit and emotion. Anyone who says his music is slit your wrist music have obviously never listened carefully to his songs or been to a night like this. For me Hallelujah and Who by Fire stand out as well as the Webb sisters rendition of If it be your will (as close as you could to divine).
Posted by Glen Wilson | 03.08.09, 13:15 GMT
Wonderful concert - saw it in Dublin. Sharon Robinson is Leonard's writing partner - his current romantic partner is Anjani Thomas (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonard_Cohen).
Posted by Caitlin | 30.07.09, 18:19 GMT
Yes, as L. Cohen says "Love...is...a ferocious activity". Thank God L. Cohen is still seducing us all from His Tower of Song....do dum dum dum, do dum dum.......YEAH! Go L. Cohen! Please come to Charlottesville!
Posted by Shamshabad | 29.07.09, 03:43 GMT
How beautiful is that man? His voice, his face, his presence? I love him. We travelled from Kerry to see him and I'm still emotional after the concert. He seduced me long before ' I'm Your Man' !!!
Posted by Teresa | 28.07.09, 20:08 GMT
Spot-on review by Shane Donaghey, by someone who really 'gets' Leonard.
Posted by elaine | 28.07.09, 16:00 GMT
life long follower of leonard cohen but missed dublin concert and got present of tickets from my wife for my birthday for belfast . my wife accompanied me and we both agree the concert was just plain magic - no other words to describe the athmosphere created by the mans voice and whole being . best concert we've ever been to. he and his music are ageless .he thanked the audiece for keeping his songs alive!!!! i thank leonard cohen for the great gift of himself
Posted by Declan | 28.07.09, 14:09 GMT
LC in Belfast - who would have thought they would see the day and what a day it was.
Leonard, accompanied by as stellar band, gave Belfast a much needed 'revival' through a memorable and mesmorising set.
Great to experience the warmth of LC's voice not to mention his energy and humour. How many 74yr olds do you know that can sing for nearly 3 hours not to mention running on and off the stage?
Leonard may we return the blessing you gave us at the end of the concert. May the Lord keep you and make his light shine upon you.
Posted by DARREN | 28.07.09, 13:36 GMT
My partner and I travelled over from Scotland for the concert (he is a life long fan, I'm a recent convert) We saw him perform at Edinburgh Castle last year and didn't think anything could compare, but oh my god Belfast was even better. The atmosphere was electric from start to finish, thanks in no small part to the amazing Belfast audience. It really was an emotional experience and one that I'll never forget. Loved LC and loved Belfast - thanks for a great weekend!
Posted by Roberta | 28.07.09, 10:37 GMT
I was lucky enough to be at the Odyssey , the concert was sheer magic , what a performance , and he can seduce me anytime he feels like it
Posted by eveline | 28.07.09, 10:22 GMT
the best concert ever
thanks to my wife jean for the tickets
love you always
leonard evokes emotions like no one else can
utter genius
Posted by noel connolly | 28.07.09, 08:35 GMT
seen the genius of a man
best songwriter ever
Posted by noel connolly | 28.07.09, 08:27 GMT
It was pure bliss seeing Leonard Cohen in Belfast,Ive loved his music for 40 years now but have never seen him live,as Karyn said words cant do justice to how good he was,you just had to be there.Im still on a high now!!!!!!!!
Posted by Nigel | 28.07.09, 01:02 GMT
Hear!! Hear!! Your review is perfect!! It says exactly how it was for me!
I'm still floating after being privileged to be at the Odyssey last night!
Best concert i have ever been to --better the Dylan or Paul Simon! And i feel better than if i had been to a revivalist meeting!I have said he is beter thsn he was 30 years ago in my bedsit! His voice is even better now--l i think he may well reaching his prime!!
Posted by jennie | 28.07.09, 00:15 GMT
I saw Leonard in Oslo, Norway last summer and his concert was electric with emotions, I know how u ladies feel... If I never attend another concert it will not matter, he gave me the greatest gift of all, himself, his words and his music. Leonard - you can seduce me any time, thank you for you :D
Posted by marianne halseth | 27.07.09, 22:45 GMT
I know what you mean!! I have never seen Leonard in live concert, only on DVD and I am in love with this man!! Brilliant, intelligent handsome sexy man!
Posted by Sandra | 27.07.09, 22:17 GMT
34 Comments