Leonard Cohen Hints at Retirement at Sold-Out New York Show
- Posted on Oct 24th 2009 5:30PM by Michael D. Ayers
- Comments (31)
As Leonard Cohen's comeback tour chugs through its final phase of 2009, at Friday night's Madison Square Garden show the singer alluded to the fact that this could be it for him and New York -- and maybe elsewhere, too. He's already played New York a handful of times this year, starting off at the Beacon Theater in February, then graduating to Radio City Music Hall for two nights in May. So last night's sold-out show, which offered him numerous standing ovations, was something of a victory lap that most cities haven't witnessed this year. Before starting up a slower than usual sounding version of "Bird on a Wire," he took time out of the evening's first set to welcome the crowd, but for fans, the words might have sounded a little ominous.
"I don't know if we'll pass this way again," Cohen said, "but it's our intention to give you the best."
Indeed, the nearly two-and-a-half-hour show was filled with Cohen classics such as "So Long, Marianne," "Everybody Knows," "Sisters Of Mercy," and a particularly soulful version of "Hallelujah," with Cohen purposefully falling to his knees several times to deliver his most famous lines in his deep, husky voice. New York centric songs "Chelsea Hotel #2" and "First We Take Manhattan" appropriately resonated, maybe more so after the realization that this could be the last time they're played in Gotham.
Even when he pulled out songs that were a bit more obscure, such as "A Thousand Kisses Deep" from 2001's 'Ten New Songs,' the crowd couldn't help being captivated with the opening line, "You came to me this morning and handled me like meat." Cohen's always been regarded as a master poet and storyteller, and this was just another example of how even in his later career, Cohen's words and delivery is still as engrossing as his four-decade-old songs.
Leonard Cohen's tour continues west through November 13, finishing at San Jose's HP Pavilion.
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Reader Comments(1 of 2)
azdiamantat 10-24-2009
Sounds like he's just being modest about the insane size of Madison Square Garden and possibly not filling it up again. Though I'm sure he will.
Gutterdandyat 10-25-2009
You misquoted him. He said, "I'm not sure when we'll pass this way again, so we're going to give you everything we've got." And he was as good as his word, playing for over 3 1/2 hours.
Karenat 10-26-2009
We loved the concert...all familiar songs sung by a master composer, poet, and performer, accompanied by super talented musicians. What a memorable night!
Danielat 10-26-2009
Leonard and his ensemble was out of this world! I was so pleased to see that sitting Za-Zen had served his so well. It was truly one of the best concerts I have ever attended. He really left it all on stage and had his voice seem to come from the center of the earth. Leonard sounded better than I had heard him on recordings. I do hope that he will visit our fair city again. Such opportunities to soak up such fine vibrations are rare. I only wanted him to give us a rousing rendition of "Democracy." And I remain grateful for the impressions and the memory the concert created.
L. Kuderat 10-26-2009
I saw Leonard Cohen in Philadelphia the day before this show, and he was incredible. You were right in describing his voice "coming from the center of the earth". By far the best concert I have ever seen. I feel so sorry for those people who have never heard him.
kennyat 10-26-2009
Wow - What a shock !!
Now - Who the hell is LC ???
Tramboneat 10-26-2009
I'm with you Kenny. I don't know the gent, figure he's a local hero in the North. Glad folks enjoy seeing him, though. We all like Jimmy Buffet here in Florida.
Whoever you areat 10-26-2009
Kenny and Trambon: Probably almost everyone with any knowledge of music knows of Cohen. And I'd be surprised if any musician of any consequence isn't familiar with his music.
Tramboneat 10-26-2009
You're probably right, Whoever you are. However, I don't have any of his music in my house, and I believe he's probably more famous as a songwriter than a performer around my neck of the woods. I wasn't putting the man down, I just don't know him.
kenat 10-26-2009
Right! And if you never heard of something, why bother to post? I am sure these posters could spend all their lives commenting that they never heard of somebody. What a waste of a carbon footprint! :)
switchman1at 10-27-2009
Kenney and Trambone, LC as you call him is a singer and performer that would blow you away if you could take the time to sit and listen. He trancends time and space in his singing and musings, pick up a cd or download a cd preferably an old one. He's a master.
auntchefat 10-26-2009
Don't blame Kenny and Trambone...they are both about 10 years old. They have time to learn.
Whoever you areat 10-26-2009
That would explain it. But as Ken replied, why post a comment saying you don't know anything about the subject you're posting about?
Whoever you areat 10-26-2009
Trambone: Point taken. If you have a somewhat eclectic taste in music, you might enjoy some of Cohen's stuff.
ultrav22at 10-26-2009
I have been a fan of Leonard Cohen since the good old early 60's. I would only hope he could do smaller affordable venues in New England so I could see him again
Ginger K.at 10-26-2009
He's already said he did the tour to make money for his old age. This wasn't meant to be a long-term comeback, just a moneymaker. Nothing wrong with that.
tedzeplinat 10-26-2009
I DARE any of you to go buy his greatest hits/best of collection at a record store tomorrow. His stuff sucks. Holy shit does his stuff suck.
PS Don't buy it if you're anywhere close to killing yourself because you might just go kill him first - I kid you not!
Whoever you areat 10-26-2009
Tedzeplin: It would be more correct to say that YOU think his music isn't good. Since most of the music world doesn't agree with your statement, your comment is obviously only your opinion and not a truism. I suggest you read Cohens bio on his website to get a little perspective.
APat 10-26-2009
Your stupid comment reminds me of a phonecall I once received at a radio station I worked at. I was halfway through a song someone had requested, saying it would mean a lot if I could play it, and I was more than happy to do that for this person....someone called me and asked me "What on earth is that piece of crap you're playing?" I replied, "It was a request that meant a lot to someone else who called me a few minutes ago. Is there a different piece of crap you'd like me to play as well?" The caller paused for a moment and asked me "What do you mean?" I explained to him that while radio has been one of my favorite occupations, I don't like everything I'm told to play, and that the first program director I ever worked for told me it wasn't good form to voice my opinion of a song I hated on the air, since we were in the business of promoting music and the artists who make it...and every song, regardless of how I felt about it, was someone's favorite out there somewhere. That said, your argument that a legendary musical figure like Leonard Cohen sucks, when he's been a highly regarded artists for several decades shows me that you're content to stay in your little corner of the world musically speaking. That's all well and good, but I kind of like what Chad Kroeger of Nickelback said on TV one night: "We don;t suck because some of you might not consier us your favorite. We've got millions of fans that'll take your place at one of our shows. If you don't like us, don't come to the show. But we don't suck just because YOU don't like us." I believe their last album went six times platinum. I respect both Mr. Cohen and Mr. Kroeger for their music. I suggest you get out of the house more often and open your mind a little bit.
Ronat 10-26-2009
Leonard Cohen, along with Dylan is one of the greatest musical influences of his era. I saw him for the first time in San Diego a coiple of months ago, maybe the best concert I have ever been to.