Leonard Cohen: Live in London [DVD] [2009] [NTSC]

Though somewhat dismissive about his years as novice in a zen monastry, talking about how he went around with a hard on under the safron robe, none the less Leonard Cohen seems to have imbibed something. Transmitting an authentic humility and coming across like a human being at rest with himself and the universe.

Like Bob Dylan and Tom Waits kind of a brilliant songwriter and a less than startling vocalist, but Cohen has perhaps in many ways never sounded better than here in his older days.

And as for the music and the musical arrangements it's as close to perfection as you can get. This is world class players like bassist Roscoe Beck who is also the director and arranger, Neil Larson on keys, Bob Metzger on guitar and Javier Mas on diverse exotic string instruments. All virtuosic player who show their true musicianship in the understated way they manage to underscore Cohen's great songwriting. Metzger really able to say more with 2 - 3 notes than many a progressive shredder with a flourish of scales and appegios. And add to that the beautiful choir of long time collaborator Sharon Robinson - who has also co-written a couple of songs - and the Webb sisters Charley and Hattie.

A great mix of new and old songs, the familiar and the more obscure, each one a true gem. Some are poignant commentaries to the mad world of today, some bordering on the religious, others dissecting the male psyche and the male attitude to love, showing same kind of meticiously and honest introspection Joni Mitchell and Aimee Mann has excelled in from a female perspective.

I shall freely admit that from time to time I have found Cohen somewhat overrated by idolizing critics, but here he certainly shows his mettle and his artistic brilliance. Awesome sound, awesome visuals. An absolutely essential offering - of great art to the Cosmos.

I received my copy today and just finished watching it. I saw him at the Albert Hall last November, and this is the same line up, the Webb Sisters, Sharon Robinson, Javier Mas (playing the archilaud, similar to a mandolin.) From the very beginning when he first comes on stage, you know you're in for something special.

Each and every song is delivered with such energy and enthusiasm, and if the hairs don't stand up on the back of the neck at the intro to 'Who By Fire' then you can't be a true Cohen fan :) Javier Mas's intro is absolutely mindblowing, and when the familiar: "And Who By Fire" rings out, the audience go crazy. There's a wonderful atmosphere, not just from the obvious respect and appreciation from the audience, but from seeing Cohen so obviously enjoying himself.

I didn't think anyone could replace Julie Christensen and Perla Batthala (from 'The Future' tour), but the Webb Sisters and Sharon Robinson do a very fine job. After seeing him on that tour in 1995, I was so disappointed when there was no dvd release, and was absolutely over the moon to see a release from the 2008 tour.

The playlist is phenomenal, "Dance Me To The End Of Love", "The Future", "Everybody Knows", "Bird On A Wire", "Tower Of Song" and a host of others. And I don't know about anyone else, but I love how his voice has mellowed over the years, it's very hypnotic :)

If you've been waiting for years to see this great guy perform live, do yourself a favour and get the dvd immediately. I swear you'll be drawn in from the very first moment, and you'll be glued to the screen until the very last note rings out! It's that good, and as a bonus, the recording quality is excellent too.

I recommend this dvd from the bottom of my heart to each and every Leonard Cohen fan, it's an absolute masterpiece. I defy anyone to watch it and not be totally moved by his performance, the whole concert is just wonderful, so wonderful, I have to go and watch it again right this second. Buy it! You'll be so glad you did.

'Beautiful' is an odd word to describe a gig, isn't it?

But that was the only word that I could use to describe Leonard Cohen's gig at O2 last summer.

From the moment he walked on stage and doffed his hat to the standing ovation he received, to the last (of many) encores, this man had a presence and beauty about him that was simply a delight to behold. He was deeply tender, tender with his band, with his songs, and with his audience. And strong and wry, too.

Every song was treated with affection and reverence, and often with humour - sometimes he'd laugh at some of his lyrics, in much the way a kindly grand-father (he is 74) might when telling a story.

'Suzanne' almost moved me to tears (and that's never happened at any gig I've been to), and 'Hallelujah' received another standing ovation - in fact, there were probably eight standing ovations for this man's return to London. When he sang the line "I was born with the gift of a golden voice" in Tower of Song, you could hear the humour in him, and the delight in the audience. And, when he sang "And if you want a doctor, I'll examine every inch of you" in 'I'm Your Man', he made it sound like one of the dirtiest and sexiest lines ever, despite his age and immaculate appearance as a kindly old gentleman.

He only started performing again after years as a Buddhist monk because his ex-manager shafted him financially and he ended up losing millions. He has said in the past that he stopped performing before because he got too nervous, but he seemed to love every minute of last night's three hour set. He repeatedly thanked his band, and the audience, and never let up on his spiritedness.

This wasn't merely a musical show, it was almost a religious experience (and I say that as a generally deeply cynical atheist).

Utterly extra-ordinary. Quite beautiful.