Yesterday Leonard Cohen(73) started his huge world tour at Fredericton/Canada. He performed to a sold-out crowd at the playhouse on sunday night. This is his first series of concert appearances in more than 15 years. Leonard proceeds next to concerts in Halifax, Charlottetown, Glace Bay, N.S., Moncton, St. John's, Saguenay, Que. and Kitchener, Ont.
Steve Wilcox wrote at the leonardcohenfiles.com that "the show was incredible. Leonard's voice was very very strong - rich and deep as usual but with a strength and power that showed complete command...Audience participation was great throughout for an audience that ranged in age from 16-76. They laughed, screamed and rose to their feet on many an occasion. Leonard spoke eloquently (as usual) while also showing his infamous sense of humour. Nothing was left to chance - look, clothing, lighting, instruments, arrangements, nothing. Roscoe deserves a lot of credit for his work as musical director. And I must comment also on the sound man's contribution - the mix was incredibly clear and clean, it was literally like listening to a CD recording on a massive stereo."
Yahoo news wrote: Greeted with one of the night's many standing ovations the moment he took the stage, the 73-year-old Cohen started by thanking the city for its hospitality towards him since his arrival in town - especially so soon after suffering flood damage.
Cohen then proceeded to deliver a program filled with his greatest hits over the approximately 2-1/2-hour show.The set list spanned favourites like Suzanne, So Long, Marianne, Bird on the Wire and Ain't No Cure For Love, with a performance of his 1984 song Hallelujah among the evening's highlights. No new material was showcased.Cohen appeared overjoyed at the reception he received from the Fredericton crowd and admitted that he had felt some nervousness before hitting the stage..."
The setlist and more about LC's tour on http://www.leonardcohenforum.com/
Everybody Knows (poor quality): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66n-CowFMgw
I can't wait to see him in Amsterdam in july!!!
Cohen delivers fan favourites for tour kickoff in N.B.
Last Updated: Monday, May 12, 2008 | 11:13 AM ET
Canadian music icon Leonard Cohen kicked off his first tour in 15 years with a crowd-pleasing concert at Fredericton's sold-out riverside Playhouse Sunday night.
Greeted with one of the night's many standing ovations the moment he took the stage, the 73-year-old Cohen started by thanking the city for its hospitality towards him since his arrival in town — especially so soon after suffering flood damage.
Cohen then proceeded to deliver a program filled with his greatest hits over the approximately 2½-hour show.
The set list spanned favourites like Suzanne, So Long, Marianne, Bird on the Wire and Ain't No Cure For Love, with a performance of his 1984 song Hallelujah among the evening's highlights. No new material was showcased.
Cohen appeared overjoyed at the reception he received from the Fredericton crowd and admitted that he had felt some nervousness before hitting the stage.
The Montreal-born singer, songwriter and poet was inducted into the U.S. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in March and, the day after the New York gala, announced he would be embarking on a tour, including major stops such as three days prior to the Montreal International Jazz Festival (June 23, 24, 25), three dates in Toronto (June 6-8) and a headline slot at Glastonbury Festival in the United Kingdom (June 29).
Two days later, he added a host of additional dates across Atlantic Canada that would precede the previously named shows in Toronto, Montreal and in Europe.
Though the intimate Atlantic Canada venues would likely offer a chance to work out the kinks of his new show before hitting bigger cities, there were few wrinkles to worry about from Cohen or his nine-piece group, according to CBC arts reporter Bob Mersereau.
Cohen proceeds next to concerts in Halifax, Charlottetown, Glace Bay, N.S., Moncton, St. John's, Saguenay, Que. and Kitchener, Ont.
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/music/story/2008/05/12/cohen-tour-nb.html
"There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in." Leonard Cohen