(click on image for larger size)Leonard Cohen and Anjani at an outdoor concert at Indigo Books in Toronto on May 13th to promote his new book of poetry, Book of Longing, and her jazz CD, Blue Alert, of songs they co-wrote (or perhaps co-arranged, really they're his poems) and that he produced. The Barenaked Ladies were there, and singer Ron Sexsmith.
Leonard Cohen is 71 years old. It's the first book of poetry he's published in 13 years and is filled with his delightful line drawings. After the concert Heather Reisman, the owner of Indigo-Chapters, came out and told us Book of Longing had made it to number one on the bestseller list; the first time a book of poetry has been number one in Canada.
A few hundred people attended the event, and the rain held off until he had finished.
I did take some video with my digital camera, and tried to upload it to a couple of hosting sites without success, which is probably just as well since the quality is not very good. If you go to the Blue Alert website and browse, you'll find all the lyrics, and some video clips.
Her voice, magical, rich tones stacking, cascading, interplaying in her singing, her beauty, radiant; his presence, however, was the highlight. And he sang "So Long Marianne" from his heart, without holding anything back, and we were enthralled, swaying before the Zen master from the mountain, a poet-musician dearly beloved by the Canadian people.
Oh, lucky you.
ReplyDeleteOh! Oh, and he sang 'So long Marianne'! Oh!! Indeed, lucky you. I must go and look at the video clips. Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful event.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful. What a beautiful treat for you. Thank you Brenda.
ReplyDeleteMB, one of the perks of living in a large city... :)
ReplyDeleteJean, it was so special seeing him in person, I can't tell you. And he's been on my mind ever since, I've always adored him. Been in love with his poetry since whenever, and his songs, ah...
Mary, yes, it certainly was a treat. Not just beautiful Leonard, but Anjani, her voice was something else... they are amazing together.
I've just been watching the videos. What a treat. His face. Her voice. Her music with the undertone of his stuff from long ago. Utterly wonderful.
ReplyDeleteFYI - Just saw this announced by Powell's Books: Leonard Cohen appears on NPR's May 17th "Fresh Air" to promote his new novel, Book of Longing — which, incidentally, is a bestseller in Canada.
ReplyDeleteCheck for times in your location.
Wow - such a treat! Would have loved to have attended.
oh Brenda, how lucky you are ... the love of my life (but alas, unrequited love). I always thought he was singing to me and especially so when he said, in Closing Time, sitting at the bar, "my very close companion ... she's a hundred and she's wearing something tight". And then when he split with Rebecca deMornay, I thought "he's coming back to me"
ReplyDeleteI did see him twice in concert though, and sat a seven-day Zen sesshin with him in Northern New Mexico.
Jean, do you know how many times I played those videos the day after? Oooh la! YES- absolutely.
ReplyDeleteSky, thank you! I will!
Janice, how wonderful! And who better to love, requited or not?! A seven-day Zen meditation with him in NM? Oh, oh, wonders! And memories...
i actually had front row seats to leonard's show at the hummingbird center, and posted my pictures on my blog
ReplyDeletehttp://prettytight.blogspot.com/2008/06/leonard-cohen-live-in-toronto-alternate.html