Leonard Cohen is in Australia, touring. I saw him the last time he was here, on a hot February evening, the night before the 'Black Saturday' bushfires as it happened. That concert was moving, an almost spiritual experience. Last Friday, I went along to Rod Laver Arena to see his show. Naturally, I was anticipating greatness, but the weather was being overly dramatic and a soggy schlepp through city crowds that evening didn't appeal, so I went in with a slightly laissez faire attitude. You know, being a veteran fan and all...
Of course this is the all-together wrong attitude to have with legends. Because just when you think you've seen and heard what they have to offer...they pull out more. Or better. Legends always have that extra gear that sets them quite apart from the also-rans.
Last Friday's concert was monumental. Expansive. Transcendant. Downright awesome. While many other artists have covered or re-interpreted Cohen's songs, so few have done a good job of it and none are as good as the original. To see 'Hallelujah' performed live by Leonard - backed by his musicians, and the ladies (Sharon Robinson and the Webb sisters) - is an experience beyond words. It is as good as it gets my friends.
Cohen's been writing poetry and songs for some 50 years. So much of his work is now steeped in popular (and high) culture but - I read this somewhere- he's never had a 'hit single' as such. He's 76 now. An old man. And yet he's remains acutely relevant, I think because his songs speak directly to the human condition and his themes are universal and timeless.
'Anthem'
You can add up the parts
but you won't have the sum
You can strike up the march,
there is no drum
Every heart, every heart
to love will come
but like a refugee.
but you won't have the sum
You can strike up the march,
there is no drum
Every heart, every heart
to love will come
but like a refugee.
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.
