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It's a Monday night, all is quiet here up in the Pilbara, absolutely nothing on TV, everyone's slipped off to their rooms early tonight so I've just been surfing the web. Looking for interesting stuff to read but I can't seem to find a lot. But i did read this cool review of Leonard Cohens concert in Montreal on McSweeneys. This got me thinking because I thought Leonard had stopped touring ages ago. I mean the dude is 73.
Tickets for this Leonard Cohen concert were very expensive. I paid $180 for this ticket. Because I'm a music critic, it's tax deductible. Also, I thought I'd sell a review to someone, but in the end no one wanted a review. Sitting in the Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, I think about what I would write if I were reviewing this for Rolling Stone or Pitchfork. "He seems at once smaller and larger than his songs. And, while I never need to hear 'Democracy' or 'Boogie Street' again, because they were terrible, I also never again need to hear 'Who by Fire' or 'Sisters of Mercy,' because they were beautiful."
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"Malgré les prix gonflés," Leonard says, wryly, "j'espère que vous n'êtes pas déçus." Despite the inflated prices, I hope you are not disappointed. While Leonard is playing "I'm Your Man," I do some math. If the concert is three hours long, that's just $60 an hour. Or $15 for 15 minutes. Which is about the same price as a taxi. Or laser tag. This concert is far, far, far better than riding a taxi or playing laser tag. Leonard, I am not disappointed.
"Malgré les prix gonflés," Leonard says, wryly, "j'espère que vous n'êtes pas déçus." Despite the inflated prices, I hope you are not disappointed. While Leonard is playing "I'm Your Man," I do some math. If the concert is three hours long, that's just $60 an hour. Or $15 for 15 minutes. Which is about the same price as a taxi. Or laser tag. This concert is far, far, far better than riding a taxi or playing laser tag. Leonard, I am not disappointed.
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Of course it doesn't help that his manager embezzled $5 miilion from him a few years back leaving him with only $100 000 to retire on. I guess he has to tour again, a shit scenario for Leonard but awesome news for us. I can't imagine how it would feel to have your life savings ripped from you like that. It's not like Mr L. Cohen has lived a rockstar drug fueled life either, I mean the guy locked himself away in a bhuddist retreat recently for 5 years.
Of course it doesn't help that his manager embezzled $5 miilion from him a few years back leaving him with only $100 000 to retire on. I guess he has to tour again, a shit scenario for Leonard but awesome news for us. I can't imagine how it would feel to have your life savings ripped from you like that. It's not like Mr L. Cohen has lived a rockstar drug fueled life either, I mean the guy locked himself away in a bhuddist retreat recently for 5 years.
I've been a huge fan of his ever since an ex tuned me onto him back in the 80's, but I've never seen him live. That said I'm probably going to have to travel overseas to do so, but hey there are worse things to do in life right? ha!
No real visuals on these clips, just for the listen
Some Leonard of then - Chelsea Hotel
Some Leonard of now - Alexandras Leaving
Some Leonard of now - Alexandras Leaving
Comments
Both concerts were magical, though the Dublin was slightly better, due to atmospheric conditions created by people dancing in the aisles and generally having a damn good time!
-buffalo