Leonard Cohen at the Liverpool Echo Arena - 14.07.09

Over the years Leonard Cohen has acquired various acronyms , such as “Laughing Len”, “The Godfather of Gloom” and ” the Grocer of Despair”. Last year saw the return to stage of an artist in his mid 70’s, after a near 15 year sabbatical.

This was due in part to the financial ruin that his manager allegedly left him in whilst Cohen was dealing with the small matter of becoming Zen Buddhist monk. However I was given the distinct impression that the audience in the arena were grateful of the opportunity to see the artist regardless of the circumstances. Outside the concert there was a relatively small protest group using placards inscribed with Cohen’s song titles urging him not to play Israel due to the Gaza situation.

Cohen arrived on stage shortly after the band to a rapturous reception kicking off proceedings with “Dance Me to the End of Love”. The second song “The Future” had the 3 female backing singers perform a cartwheel after the line “see the white girls dancing” which caused the audience to applaud widely. “Bird on a Wire” resulted in cheering before and thanks to a pause in the proceedings, during and after the song. “In My Secret Life” was followed by what can only be described as an acoustic axe solo, whilst Len took a break from proceedings.

He finished the first set by introducing the band with compliments ranging from indispensable and incomparable to maestro, at the same time he removed his hat and bowed to each. He then spoke to the audience about how fortunate we were not to be living in different circumstances, to more desperate situations occurring around the world, perhaps aware of the protest outside. He then offered advice regarding staying in hotel rooms with magnifying mirrors stating that you should never use them if your over 11 years of age, as someone who has a similar profile to Mr Cohen, it is wise advice. He then skipped off the stage like a 10 year old.

After the interval Cohen produced a keyboard for the “Tower of Song” joking that he was not very good with the equipment. He played three notes and was greeted with applause, which in turn brought a wry smile. When he sang the line “I Was Born with a Golden Voice” he was greeted with cheers and whistles which caused him to appear to laugh, though it can be hard tell. “I’m Your Man” followed with ”Hallelujah” where he managed to insert the line “didn’t come to Liverpool just to fool you” again this brought about more rapturous applause and several more standing ovations.

The audience appeared to cover all spectrum of age groups and were more reverential to the great man than many other concert audiences would be to other live artists and appeared to hang on his every word. Although the majority of the audience knew the songs nobody sang or danced, preferring to listen and absorb his words or just mouth the lyrics softly .

There was a brief interlude by the backing singers Sharon Robinson and the two Webb sisters, who in turn sang respectively “Boogie Street” ,and “If It Be Your Will” beautifully , Cohen had previously described them as “angels” and they certainly sang like celestial beings.

Afterwards, Leonard Cohen attempted to finish the set however he received several standing ovations every time he tried to leave he stage, he completed 3 encores, each one involving him skipping off the stage.

His final song appropriately enough was “I Tried to Leave You” which also contains the line “I hope you are satisfied”. Previous hints had been attempted with the song “Closing Time” and even him stating to the audience that he did not wish to keep everyone all night because of train schedules and people needing to get home etc did not deter. In fact I was under the impression that the audience would have walked swam or even contemplated the Cohen skip home if he wished to play through the night and into the morning.

The audience, however, dispersed at the final song grateful to have had the opportunity to see one of the few singing poets. Bob Dylan is possibly his only comparable in this sense.
However the difference is that Dylan is angry about situations in life where as Cohen is emotive and passionate about humanity no matter how dark the feelings and disturbing that subject matter may be.

Over the years Cohen has been unappreciated by the masses and in terms of fellow Canadians probably registers lower in popular culture than Bryan Adams and Celine Deon, this concert and others on his World Tour though should readdress this obvious error and bring his music to a wider audience.

By Paul Nenna

July 15 THE POGUES
July 16 SQUEEZE and THE PRETENDERS
July 17 NE-YO 
July 21 SIMPLE MINDS – 30 Years Live
July 22 PUSSYCAT DOLLS 
July 24 JOOLS HOLLAND
July 25 SIMPLY RED, 25th Anniversary Greatest Hits
July 27 GLORIA ESTEFAN
July 30 RHYDIAN and ONLY MEN ALOUD!
July 31 DEACON BLUE
August 1 THE AUSTRALIAN PINK FLOYD SHOW – The Wall 
 
 
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