frumiousb

Such a strange day yesterday. I'm sick with something-- terribly sore throat and exhaustion. I woke up at 8:30, went back to sleep until 11:30. Took a nap from 14:00-17:00. We didn't plan to meet our friend A. at the Westerpark until 19:30. We were pretty sure that the doors opened at 19:30 and the concert itself wouldn't start until 20:00.

But then we were waiting for the Indian food that we ordered in and B. looked at a website online and saw that NO opening act and YES expected to start at 19:30. Food arrived. We tossed it in the fridge, grabbing only garlic nan to go. We called a hideously expensive taxi and then off to Westerpark.

And Leonard Cohen. And Leonard Cohen.


We just snuck inside the Golden Circle area-- we walked past the barrier and the guard said something like "that's the last bunch". We by this time had met thisc0rrosion and spidertangle. We got our Golden Circle armbands. We irritated a bunch of aging fans who wanted to sit in the grass and we were crowding them. But too bad, so sad. Stand up and watch. Leonard Cohen.

It started around 19:45 and he played until around 23:00 with a little break for an intermission. I can't really describe how it was, just give some impressions. His voice is still so strong, but he himself was frail. That sounds odd, given that he played for nearly three hours, but he was so clearly so old. There surely won't be another chance to see him. So if there's any way that you can get to this tour, I suggest that you find that way. Worth the time and the money, really worth it. At one point, he looked out at the crowd and said with bemusement "you are all covered in light". (We had a spectacular sundown-- clouds and rain.) He skipped off the stage-- sweet because it was clearly stiff, awkward. The suits. The obvious love that he had for the musicians playing with him. His smile-- the gentle self-mockery. He opened with "Dance Me To the End of Love" and closed with "I Tried to Leave You". He seemed to be enjoying himself.

And the music. What to say? Nobody who heard that live Hallelujah would ever remember anybody else's version. I had tears in my eyes by the end, and so did many of the people around me. Other notable moments-- Take This Waltz, Hey, That's No Way To Say Goodbye, Closing Time, Suzanne, Everybody Knows. Too many to list, really.

Even it had been awful, I would have given that gracious man the money to pay back a little bit of what he has given to my life. But it was lovely and illuminating. So glad that I had the chance.

(Although, for his sake, I wish that I didn't have-- for those who don't know, Cohen had to tour because his ex business manager Kelley Lynch stole the bulk of his money. Even though the tickets were expensive for the tour, this is part of why I don't begrudge a single penny.)