Leonard Cohen – Live In London
At 74 years old, Leonard Cohen is still one of the best songwriters and performers of our time. Live In London is a beautiful two-disc set and separate DVD of Cohen’s performance at London’s O2 Arena in July of last year. The set is a career-spanning set that includes a lot of Cohen’s classic material and is a perfect companion to The Essential Leonard Cohen released a few years back.
Though the concert was in the O2 Arena, which holds about 20,000 people, this feels like such an intimate show. I will have to admit that I am not as well in tune with Leonard’s back catalog as with some of the other artists from his era. So, this was a treat on many levels. The album and the DVD have mirror tracklisting so you are not missing out any tracks if you just grab one. But, after hearing the album or watching this DVD this will need to be in your collection.
Leonard has such a cool and slick vibe to him. He still has that same low tone that drips out cool. He does a few bits of banter during the tracks which are rather fun. Leonard does not disappoint and does include some of his signature tracks such as “Everybody Knows” “Bird On The Wire” and “Suzanne.” The version of Suzanne was especially a compelling and emotional moment of the set.
“Hallelujah” is easily Cohen’s most recognizable song and his version here is easily one of the best I have ever seen. “Democracy”shows off Cohen giving one of his strongest vocals.
Cohen does not tour that often and that is another reason to pick up this amazing collection. I have already watched it about four times since I got it.
