Comments on: Leonard Cohen comes to Boston

By: Letitia Splain Dayer

Letitia Splain Dayer — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 06:24:06 +0000

I had the exquisite experience of being in the Wang Theater on May 20th with a filmmaker friend who know nothing of Leonard. Before the night was over, she had fallen in love and my love just grew deeper for the great Leonard Cohen. He gave himself over to the moment with reverence, humility and respect as well as the well-earned joy and appreciation at the endless applause laid at his feet. … As Pico Iyer so beautifully noted in the program’s liner notes (“No Disguises in the Dark”) “… beneath all that, what Leonard Cohen on tour in the 21st Century tells us is that all of us, in our solitary trembling, we can come together in a kind of communion. So many of us have been listening to him alone … but here for the first time in fifteen years, we’re all together in our observances. People stand up to welcome the stranger home, and rise up again, and again, in battalions as they recognize their old lives coming up. No one needs flashing lights or changes of costume; the words and the feeling are enough.”

By: neo-neocon

neo-neocon — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 19:10:22 +0000

Well Gary, you know, “there’s a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.”

By: Gary

Gary — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 13:04:02 +0000

AAAaahhhh – - you’re not a TOTAL neo-con….

I still sense some goodness in your heart…………..come back from the Dark Side.

By: Suds46

Suds46 — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 04:58:21 +0000

Sometime after the invasion of Afghanistan, there was a slide show that showed up on the web of our troops in action over there. It was very patriotic and the sound track haunted me until I could find out what it was. Turned out it was Jeff Buckley’s recording of “Hallelujah.” That led me to Buckley when in turn led me to Cohen. I remember listening to “Suzanne” back in the late 60′s (Judy Collins???), but was unaware of Leonard Cohen.

Since then, I’ve seen several versions of Cohen doing “Hallelujah” as well as at least half a dozen covers by other artists. But I don’t think any of the artists who have done that song have included Cohen’s final verse in which he says,”And even though it all went wrong, I’ll stand before the Lord of Song, with nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah.” The song seems incomplete without that final verse.

By: Petitedov

Petitedov — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 19:15:19 +0000

I’m not sure why I used so many exclamation points – I guess I get very excited about L. Cohen. Each performer with him was incredible, I haven’t been able to look at their solo work – but you are probably are correct – he is part of the magic. I also liked his sense of humor on stage subtle yet clever in a non-showy off way. Okay I have to stop gushing. I’m happy to learn you like Cohen as well.

By: neo-neocon

neo-neocon — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:32:46 +0000

Petitedov: I also was struck by the Wang; hadn’t been there in quite some time but it was looking good.

Cohen most definitely has a remarkable presence. What always amazes me is that his backup singers and musicians seem to partake of that, too, when they’re singing or playing on his tours. There have been many female backup singers over the years, but when they are performing with him their singing seems to be more deeply spiritual and they seem selfless, dropping the showboating and just letting the music come through in a very humble way. It is really quite extraordinary.

For example, because the Webb sisters were so good at the concert, I looked up some of their other, non-Cohen, work on videos at You Tube, and although they had nice voices I was not all that impressed. But with Cohen they were sublime.

By: Petitedov

Petitedov — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 15:27:46 +0000

He was amazing! I went to see him Saturday night, I was just so blown away by his talent and how humble he was! He has such a strong, genuine presence. Also the Wang Center was a great venue, so beautiful! Glad you are fan as well!

By: Beverly

Beverly — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 04:16:37 +0000

Neo, that song is a direct appeal to God. A heartbreaking one.

By: Beverly

Beverly — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 04:15:18 +0000

Ahhh. Leonard Cohen. What can I say?

This cover of his “If It Be Your Will,” by Antony, made Lou Reed cry. Powerful, moving, heart-piercing. …

http://preview.tinyurl.com/mvesg5

If you haven’t seen it, and you love Leonard Cohen, do, please watch the tribute documentary “I’m Your Man.” Wonderful. Marvelous singers doing covers of their favorite Cohen songs in a tribute concert Down Under, intercut with interview segments with Leonard himself. Finished with Leonard doing his own songs.

Not to be missed.

By: Doom

Doom — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 01:49:12 +0000

Wow, what a thing. As with many others, I am jealous if in the best of ways. Though only a relatively new fan, I do not think a fan of his can be a light or simple fan. Either one falls in head over heals or they just do not become a lover of that music.

I have always sensed the religious undertones in his music. Sometimes I ‘see’ things through his music. I have never quite understood what I am seeing or hearing with regards to God, only that it is there, powerfully. At one time I considered looking into his bio to try and find clues but I decided to just let things be and remain ignorant.

I am so pleased you found a seat, the strength to not sing along, and came away fulfilled.