Home Town Boy Leonard Cohen Surrenders to Love
June 23, 2008 Montreal International Jazz Fest.

Boy?
Yes.
At seventy four, Leonard Cohen kicked his show off (and unofficially the Jazz Fest) last night by bounding on stage with the energy
and exuberance of a teenager. Cue the "Love Fest"
For the next three hours plus, Leonard Cohen treated the 3000 fans at Place des Arts to a retrospective of his entire
catalog of songs. A catalog so rich and deep it is easy to see why he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
this past February. Two years ago I sat in that same hall witnessing a concert by American singer/songwriter
Paul Simon and came out of that show knowing that Mr. Simon is an American National Treasure. What I saw last
night equaled, if not surpassed, that memorable show.
Mr. Cohen greeted the audience in French and you could see that he was genuinely humble to be back in front
of a home town crowd that was ready to make that journey with him recalling all those many years ago.
Humble. Generous. Energetic.
Just three words of many that describe the emotions and spectacle that we were treated to last night. I must admit
that going into the concert I did have my doubts about the strength of Mr. Cohen's voice, never of his conviction,
but he is 74 after all, and his voice has never been strong at best. Shame on me. As mentioned above, incredibly
for 3 hours he regaled us with songs, poetry and intimate conversation as if we were all in his living room invited
for a personal tete a tete.
His band is excellent, most multi-instrumentalists and Leonard was certain to allow each one of them to showcase
their specific talents. A special shout out to the "foreground" singers. Unlike other bands that position the singers
in the back only being called upon to fill the void or compliment  the singer when necessary, the three ladies in
Leonard's band took the lead several times. They were integral in most songs and the three of them, together and
separately were used as an instrument in their own right.  Living  up to his reputation, Leonard was clearly making
love with these 3 ladies all night.
And the songs. Think of your favourite, he played it. Most true to the versions we know from his albums, but with the
passion that can only come from a live performance.
Five encores, and the show was over.
A beautiful evening by a beautiful man.
Leonard, please do not wait another fifteen years.

Jazz Fest: Leonard Cohen: set list and musicians

The Band:

Roscoe Beck: musical director, bass

Rafael Gayol: drums

Bob Metzger: guitar

Javier Mas: various stringed instruments

Neil Larsen: keyboards

Dino Soldo: sax, woodwinds, harmonica

Charley and Hattie Webb: background vocals

Sharon Robinson: background vocals

Complete Set List:

1. Dance Me to the End of Love

2. The Future

3. Ain't No Cure for Love

4. Bird on the Wire

5. Everybody Knows

6. In My Secret Life

7. Who By Fire

8. Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye

9. Take This Waltz

*** Intermission ***

10. Tower of Song

11. Avalanche

12. Suzanne

13. The Gypsy's Wife

14. Boogie Street

15. Hallelujah

16. Democracy

17. I'm Your Man

18. A Thousand Kisses Deep (recitation)

19. Anthem

ENCORES:

20. So Long, Marianne

21. First We Take Manhattan

22. Sisters of Mercy

23. If It Be Your Will

24. Closing Time

25. That Don't Make It Junk

26. Famous Blue Raincoat

27. I Tried to Leave You

28. Wither Thou Goest