Gig review: Leonard Cohen in Auckland (+pics)
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Can an ancient scribe hold an audience for three hours? Reviewer Michael Field says he sure can.
Leonard Cohen
Where: Vector Arena, Auckland
When: Thursday, January 23
Leonard Cohen's Auckland performance was as close to perfection in live music - and poetry - as you will ever get.
He came onstage to a standing ovation from the sellout crowd; he left it just over two hours later to repeated stage calls.
That distinctive voice is unchanged and powerful.
"I was last here 15 years ago, I was 60-years-old, a kid with a dream," he says with a beguiling smile complementing his very droll sense of humour.
Most of the songs were there: Bird On A Wire, Hey, That's No Way To Say Goodbye, Suzanne and Hallelujah.
They sounded fresh and new and in the concrete pit that is Vector, they sounded clear.
Way up high, every word was there, every note from his nine-piece band.
Like solid classics, the basics have not been changed, yet they sound fresh and relevant.
Cohen is solidly political and yet strikingly naïve for a 75-year-old.
The lyrics are often very sexual, yet always sensual, subtle and, at times, simply sweet.
When he speaks to his audience there is a striking humility and humanity.
And always that droll humour, noting he had delved into philosophies and religions, yet "cheerfulness keeps breaking through".
Cohen comes across as an utter gentleman, caring of his marvellous band.
Lead backing singer Sharon Robinson could easily hold an audience in a smoke-filled-bar; in Vector her solo number had the audience wanting more. And Hattie and Charlotte Webb proved spellbinding.
The highlight though was Cohen's awesome political statement, Democracy Is Coming To The USA.
He flies out today to play his first USA show in 15 years next week and the song is set to be the new anthem of our times.
From the wars against disorder,
from the sirens night and day,
from the fires of the homeless,
from the ashes of the gay:
Democracy is coming to the USA
It's coming through a crack in the wall;
on a visionary flood of alcohol;
from the staggering account
of the Sermon on the Mount
which I don't pretend to understand at all.
Cohen's Auckland concert would have been sublime perfection had one small oversight been corrected - he didn't do Sisters Of Mercy...
All the same, it was an honour to be there.
* What did you think of the show? Post your comments below.
- © Fairfax NZ News
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Our concert here in Adelaide last night with Leonard C was amazing, spellbinding and more than satisfying. He is truly a respectful, charming and humanitarian/spiritual individual and each word was as clear as a bell complete with crack to let the light in! Loved him then, love him now.
Thanks for the photos and review. Surprised you say "naive" Michael? I am thinking that maybe we were in the presence of someone who has worked and thought throughout his life, and gotten to a place where love is what it is all about. What a concert, i was blown away. And i kept wanting to cry? Any one else have that? lol. something about the music, poetry, the respect and sincerity, and so much love coming from leonard cohen i am guessing? It was such a moving emotional experience for me, - and closer to three hours. I wanna t shirt!!
Where can I find a Webb Sister of my very own?
Amazing evening at Vector Arena. Not only the beautiful performance by L Cohen, but the fact that so many others in my age group (50s-60s)had flocked there. Couldn't help but smile when I looked around at my fellow attendees. After all these years thinking that I had an offbeat taste in music (my teenage crowd were definitely not into LC) only to discover that 'almost everyone' in my age group in Auckland seemed to be present. Did the heart good on all fronts!
Having been literally obsessed with "I'm Your Man" (the movie CD) for the past little while, I was totally blown away by the real McCoy. What an honour to witness that kind of genius mixed with gratefulness to his musoes and his audience for "keeping his music alive". We're the ones that need to be grateful for the very essence of his words that uplift and attach themselves to so many emotions that befall us. A real humbling and happy time to see Leonard Cohen, and maybe not our last. He seemed to have a lot of life left in him. That'd be great if he could come back again. A thorough treat to the senses.
Probably one of the more profoundly brilliant concerts in living memory. Even tho Sisters of Mercy was missed, just about everything else was there. Glittering gems all. A joyous occasion. And the Webb sisters were outstanding, as was everyone.
Should have been at the Wellington concert. It was perfection
Very happy and glad I was there. SUPERB !!! The leave I took from work and the trip to Auckland from Christchurch has been worthwhile ... indeed.
"Solidly political" and "strikingly naive" are not words I would ever use to describe Mr. Cohen. His show was really a religious experience though. Quite something
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Saw Leonard at Leconfield Winery (Mc Laren Vale)... totally agree with above comment ... I had only recently become acquainted with his voice and poetry and have been totally spell bound ... excellent performance by all ... the Webb sisters and Sandra his 'co conspirator' ... she was fantastic as well as his band. PS the support acts here were also good 'Augie March' and 'Paul Kelly'. Certainly didn't want to go home ... we all just wanted more.