GIG REVIEW : LEONARD COHEN - LUCCA, 27 JULY 2008

Well, if I had been there myself, you would have heard all about it by now.

I recently met up with my good mate Michael who was just back from his annual holiday in the Tuscan town of Barga. The nearest place of note to Barga is the walled city of Lucca, where every year a series of concerts are held in the spectacular main square in late July. When Michael told me that he had managed to get great seats for the Leonard Cohen gig that had taken place on 27 July and that it had turned out to be a memorable night, I just had to ask him to pen a quick review. So here it is:-

It’s a warm Tuscan evening and I’m in Puccini’s home town to see another master at work. It’s the last night of Lucca’s summer festival and I'm sitting in Piazza Napoleone with Lynne, my ‘chief collaborator’, sotto le stelle. To my right is Marie Louise de Bourbon but she doesn’t say a word all night.

At 9.30pm, a lean, clean seventy three year old bounces on to stage to join his band and for the next 3 hours we are honoured to witness a masterful, magical performance which leaves his audience with smiles, tears and lasting emotions of love, friendship and integrity. And above all, some joy in our hearts.

Against the huge stage, he looks physically slight but the voice is strong and deep. During the course of the evening he will reveal the secret of the universe and introduce his band several times. He is clearly proud of his body of work and the musicians he has assembled to perform his catalogue of songs. From his ‘Keeper of Time’, the ‘Master of Breathe’ to the ‘divine’ Webb sisters and the sensational Sharon Robinson, every musician is given space to shine. When they come together, it is simply sublime.

The Man himself is humble and the songs are delivered with a stylish, witty elegance. Off course we get the classics – Susanne, Bird on the Wire, No Way To Say Goodbye, Last Waltz, and Manhattan. He plays guitar on a few and after the interval he plays a little keyboard and no-one is alarmed.

For me, the stand outs are more recent, less familiar – Anthem, Democracy, Boogie Street and A Thousand Kisses Deep.

After, several encores and before bouncing off for the last time, he finishes with Closing Time and thanks us for keeping his music alive and hopes we don’t catch a summer cold.

As for the secret of the universe, get along to the remaining gigs in his now extended tour and you will find out!

I've managed to find a clip on You Tube to give you an idea of the accuracy of Michael's words:-



Now....Michael has mentioned the extended tour - one that is coming to Glasgow on 5th and 6th November 2008. Two nights that sold out before I even knew they were happening (stupidity and laziness on my part in not opening e-mails....).

So dear readers. I know I often ask a lot of you...and this time I suspect its just too much. But........should any of you know anyone who has 2 tickets for either of the Glasgow nights that they find they cannot use for one reason or another, then I would be delighted to be given an opportunity to buy the tickets from them. I won't mention it again.

mp3 : Leonard Cohen - So Long, Marianne
mp3 : James - So Long, Marianne

Happy Listening