Leonard Cohen – Live in London (2009)

by Nick DeRiso 

Fascinating and enigmatic, a quirky delight, Leonard Cohen has nevertheless found a series of devoted, adult audiences over the years — selling 21 million records worldwide across four decades, including the gold-certified “Songs of Leonard Cohen,” his 1967 debut, and 1975′s “The Best of Leonard Cohen.”

That still amazes me. Popular music rarely makes room for true poetry, and even more rarely for singer songwriters who move beyond the typical folk trappings into blues, rock and the avant garde — and almost never for old men.

A key influence on a number of rock bands, notably the Velvet Underground, Cohen’s fiery literacy on issues both personal and political actually predates his music. He’s written 12 books, beginning with 1956′s “Let Us Compare Mythologies” to Cohen’s most recent collection of poetry, prose and drawings, 2006′s “Book of Longing.”

Yet an unlikely ride into musical history was finally made complete with the announcement of Cohen’s 2008 induction into the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame, and this subsequent tour. Recorded on July 17, 2008 at the 02 Arena, one of Europe’s largest outdoor venues, “Live in London” is available as either a 2-CD or DVD set.

This is Cohen’s first newly recorded release since 2004′s “Dear Heather,” which also went gold.

Included, of course, is “Hallelujah” from 1984′s “Various Positions,” Cohen’s only Top 40 hit and a familiar cover tune after renditions by more than 150 artists including Jeff Buckley (easily my favorite), Alexandra Blake, Willie Nelson and Bono of U2.

Most of what would become the Cohen legacy can be found there, most notably a studied passion, this almost professorial verve. From the first, Cohen’s work seemed to be informed by the weary wisdom of old age, and this dignified faith. “There is a crack in everything,” Cohen sings here, “… that’s how the light gets in.”

“Anthem” is just one of a string of tunes on “Live in London” imbued with enough humor, insight and beauty to nourish both the heart and intellect. “Bird on a Wire,” from 1969′s “Songs From a Room,” is a highlight as are later gems like “Ain’t No Cure for Love,” and “Everybody Knows” from 1988′s “I’m Your Man.” His touching new live version of “Suzanne,” originally included on Cohen’s debut, is embedded below. (It’s also being streamed exclusively at www.amazon.com/leonardcohen.)

This tour follows a sad turn of events that saw Cohen bilked out of millions by a former manager and lover. He retook the stage with a ferocious enthusiasm, fronting an air-tight, if not overly improvisational, band playing in smooth-jazz, cabaret-influenced style Cohen has always had within his sound. (A tip of the hat to keyboardist Neil Larson, who provides a few memorably churchy fills.)

“Closing Time,” Cohen’s spoken-word paean to the final moments of beer-soaked reverie before the bars turn the lights on, might have made an appropriate finale. But, no surprise here, he keeps going, finishing with a song inspired by the Bible’s ever-faithful Ruth, “Whither Thou Goest.”

It’s a powerful testament both to Leonard Cohen’s own constancy, improbable though it may be, and that of his fans.