Cohen's master class will become Irish concert lore
Leonard Cohen Royal Hospital, Kilmainham
Hats off: Leonard Cohen on stage at the Royal Hospital in Kilmainham
Monday June 16 2008
Leonard Cohen Royal Hospital, Kilmainham
IN an age where international performers have been known to make three separate appearances in Ireland practically every year, the arrival of the tour-shy Leonard Cohen is big news.
The 73-year-old Canadian hasn't played Ireland for over 20 years and with his noted aversion to the road, there's a good chance we won't be seeing him again. With that in mind, there's a great deal of love in the house tonight. And Cohen responds in kind.
What unfolds over two-and-a-half hours is likely to become the stuff of Irish concert lore. Quite simply, it doesn't get much better than this.
Dapper in a grey, pinstripe double breasted suit with matching trilby, he looks every bit the elder statesman of music. But there's nothing pompous or po-faced about his performance -- his asides to the audience and his superb band are as droll as many of his lyrics.
The 23-song set list takes in all facets of his career with 'The Future', 'Everybody Knows' and 'In My Secret Life' leaving an indelible mark.
'Tower of Song' proves especially engaging, provoking mirth when he sings of aching "in the places where I used to play" and cheers with the line "I was blessed with a golden voice".
There's reverential silence for 'Suzanne' -- a song that he debuted 41 years ago, and which still retains its understated majesty.
Clearly, he's as delighted to be playing Dublin -- as is the audience.
After a spine-tingling spoken word version of 'A Thousand Kisses Deep' he's fulsome in his gratitude.
"It's a great privilege to say a poem to you in this city of poets and singers."
Midway through, he reclaims 'Hallelujah' from the mass of singer-songwriters who used the song to launch careers of varying quality. One of them, Damien Rice, supports him tonight.
His grace and humility are palpable, not just in his appreciation of the applause but with his colleagues on stage. And he's more than happy to share the spotlight, standing back to let backing singers, sisters Charlie and Hattie Webb, deliver a tender and beautiful 'If It Be Your Will'.
He's also ably abetted by long term collaborator Sharon Robinson, and the pair's voices mesh together wonderfully on set closer 'That Don't Make It Junk'.
There are cheers and tears at the end -- a special concert, one for the memory bank.
- John Meagher
