• About
  • Support AJW
  • Jewish Community Directory
  • Subscription Information
  • Contact Us
American Jewish World
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • All
    • Africa
    • Asia
    • Australia & New Zealand
    • Europe
    • Israel/Mideast
    • Latin America
    • Minnesota
    • US & Canada
    Editorial: In the ghetto

    Editorial: In the ghetto

    Natalie Fine Shapiro’s artworks bring the colors of spring

    Natalie Fine Shapiro’s artworks bring the colors of spring

    Taking care of little Joel

    Taking care of little Joel

  • Arts
    • All
    • Blue Box
    • Books & Literature
    • Music
    • Televison & Film
    • Theater & Performing Arts
    • Visual Arts
    Surviving the hell of death camps

    Surviving the hell of death camps

    Kim Kivens treads the boards in CDT’s production of ‘Grease’

    Kim Kivens treads the boards in CDT’s production of ‘Grease’

    Entering the age of invisibility

    Entering the age of invisibility

  • Lifestyle
    • All
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health & Wellness
    • Home & Garden
    • Travel & Culture
    Jewish Cubans survive the island’s economic collapse

    Jewish Cubans survive the island’s economic collapse

    My time with the Greek Jewish community

    My time with the Greek Jewish community

    Tracing family roots in Germany

    Tracing family roots in Germany

  • Editorial
  • Opinion
  • AJW Digital Archives
  • News
    • All
    • Africa
    • Asia
    • Australia & New Zealand
    • Europe
    • Israel/Mideast
    • Latin America
    • Minnesota
    • US & Canada
    Editorial: In the ghetto

    Editorial: In the ghetto

    Natalie Fine Shapiro’s artworks bring the colors of spring

    Natalie Fine Shapiro’s artworks bring the colors of spring

    Taking care of little Joel

    Taking care of little Joel

  • Arts
    • All
    • Blue Box
    • Books & Literature
    • Music
    • Televison & Film
    • Theater & Performing Arts
    • Visual Arts
    Surviving the hell of death camps

    Surviving the hell of death camps

    Kim Kivens treads the boards in CDT’s production of ‘Grease’

    Kim Kivens treads the boards in CDT’s production of ‘Grease’

    Entering the age of invisibility

    Entering the age of invisibility

  • Lifestyle
    • All
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health & Wellness
    • Home & Garden
    • Travel & Culture
    Jewish Cubans survive the island’s economic collapse

    Jewish Cubans survive the island’s economic collapse

    My time with the Greek Jewish community

    My time with the Greek Jewish community

    Tracing family roots in Germany

    Tracing family roots in Germany

  • Editorial
  • Opinion
  • AJW Digital Archives
No Result
View All Result
Morning News
No Result
View All Result
Home Arts

In concert: Leonard Cohen turns up the graciousness

American Jewish World by American Jewish World
May 23, 2020
in Arts
0
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

By MORDECAI SPECKTOR

READ ALSO

Surviving the hell of death camps

Kim Kivens treads the boards in CDT’s production of ‘Grease’

You don’t know me from the wind / you never will, you never did

I’m the little Jew who wrote the Bible

I’ve seen the nations rise and fall / I’ve heard their stories, heard them all

but love’s the only engine of survival

— “The Future” by Leonard Cohen

I read a review in the New York Times last week of a concert by the legendary French singer Charles Aznavour. I didn’t know that Aznavour was still alive; but the writer noted that the 85-year singer performed with the energy of a person 30 years younger.

The same cannot be said exactly of Leonard Cohen, 74, who performed Sunday night to a packed house at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Minneapolis; but, in a much-anticipated return to the North Country, he certainly exceeded the high expectations of his local fans. Cohen alternately enthralled and energized the crowd, rewarding the devotion of both aging hardcore Cohenphiles and the Gen Xers and Millennials, who will be eating Mac and Cheese for the next few weeks after splurging on pricey concert tickets.

It was a sensational and emotionally moving show by the troubadour from Montreal, who was backed by a talented cast of musicians and three sweet female back-up singers. With two days rest after performances in his native Canada, Cohen was brimming with energy, literally skipping on and off the stage.

Leonard Cohen (Photo: WireImage.com)
Leonard Cohen (Photo: WireImage.com)

Addressing the jubilant crowd, the laconic singer-songwriter reminded the crowd of his last appearance in Minneapolis, in 1993, when he was 60 years old — “just a kid with a crazy dream.” (This is part of the shtick he does at every show on the current tour — it can be heard on his new album, Live in London).

Cohen also modified the lyrics to “Hallelujah” (2.13.08 AJW) on Sunday night, to acknowledge the local venue: “I did my best, it wasn’t much / I couldn’t feel, so I tried to touch / I’ve told the truth, I didn’t come to Minneapolis to fool you.”

Speaking of “Hallelujah,” which has been covered by a diverse assortment of pop stars (Jeff Buckley, k.d. lang — even dread-locked Jason Castro from American Idol), Cohen’s songs are replete with Jewish and biblical references. “Who By Fire,” for example, is straight out of the Yom Kippur liturgy, with some contemporary updates (“And who in her lonely slip, who by barbiturate”). Beyond the so-Jewish expressions of struggling with the absence or presence of God (and women), even the logo for Cohen’s current global tour is a variation on the Star of David, formed of two hearts.

Cohen — a poet, novelist and songwriter — is a storied figure in popular music. He drew on his remarkable catalog of tunes in concert. The show began with “Dance Me to the End of Love,” and the first set included “The Future,” “Bird on the Wire,” “Chelsea Hotel #2,” “Everybody Knows,” “Waiting for the Miracle,” among others. After intermission, Cohen and company launched into “Tower of Song,” which was followed by “Suzanne,” and one of many standing ovations. “Boogie Street” was sung by Sharon Robinson (who also co-wrote several songs with Cohen, including “Everybody Knows” and “Waiting for the Miracle”), one of the three back-up singers. She has a lovely, expressive voice.

The second set wound through “Hallelujah,” “I’m Your Man,” a poetic reading of “A Thousand Kisses Deep,” and “Take This Waltz.”

The poet and his band returned for several encores, the first kicked off by “So Long, Marianne,” “First We Take Manhattan,” “Famous Blue Raincoat,” and “If It Be Your Will,” which was sung by Charley and Hattie Webb (“the sublime Webb sisters,” as Cohen called them).

When it seemed that the crowd would stand and applaud until the concert extended into a fifth hour, Cohen sang the opening line of “I Tried To Leave You,” which brought forth laughter.

The backing musicians, who were directed by Roscoe Beck, an Austin, Texas-based journeyman on upright and electric bass, included Bob Metzger, guitar; Neil Larsen, keyboards; Javier Mas, bandurria, laud, archilaud and 12-string guitar; Rafael Gayol, drums; and Dino Soldo, reeds and harmonica.

As far as stage ethos, Cohen, in a slate gray suit and snap-brim fedora, exuded courtliness and graciousness; he introduced each band member during the first set, and again after the intermission. In his final remarks, he thanked the technical crew, the truck drivers, the caterers, the women backstage who handle the musicians’ hats — and bestowed thanks and blessings on his fans.

In short, the man who has labored so long in the Tower of Song uplifted the crowd and created a spirit of shared humanity that is rarely experienced in a concert hall. Cohen pointed out that we are fortunate, in a world plagued by war and poverty, to be able to gather together and share some moments of music.

Related Posts

Surviving the hell of death camps
Books & Literature

Surviving the hell of death camps

April 20, 2025
Kim Kivens treads the boards in CDT’s production of ‘Grease’
Theater & Performing Arts

Kim Kivens treads the boards in CDT’s production of ‘Grease’

April 20, 2025
Entering the age of invisibility
Books & Literature

Entering the age of invisibility

January 27, 2025
Jewish cast members talk about the relevance of ‘Parade’
Theater & Performing Arts

Jewish cast members talk about the relevance of ‘Parade’

January 22, 2025
October 7 at Nahal Oz
Books & Literature

October 7 at Nahal Oz

January 20, 2025
Enter the 33rd Annual AJW Hanuka Cover Contest
Visual Arts

Enter the 33rd Annual AJW Hanuka Cover Contest

November 14, 2024
Next Post

'2.5 Minute Ride' continues through Sunday

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

RECENT ARTICLES

Editorial: In the ghetto

Editorial: In the ghetto

April 21, 2025
Surviving the hell of death camps

Surviving the hell of death camps

April 20, 2025
Natalie Fine Shapiro’s artworks bring the colors of spring

Natalie Fine Shapiro’s artworks bring the colors of spring

April 20, 2025
Kim Kivens treads the boards in CDT’s production of ‘Grease’

Kim Kivens treads the boards in CDT’s production of ‘Grease’

April 20, 2025
Taking care of little Joel

Taking care of little Joel

April 20, 2025

About

Since 1912 the AJW has served as an important news resource for the Jewish community. The Jewish World unites the main Jewish communities in St. Paul and Minneapolis, as well as those in Duluth, Rochester and smaller cities, and bridges the divides between the various Jewish religious streams.

Quick Links

  • About the AJW
  • Advertising Information
  • Submission Guidelines
  • Subscription Information
  • Jewish Community Directory

Contact Us

The American Jewish World
3249 Hennepin Ave., Suite 245
Minneapolis, MN 55408

Tel: 612.824.0030 / Fax: 612.823.0753
editor@ajwnews.com

  • Buy JNews
  • Landing Page
  • Documentation
  • Support Forum

© 2025 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Food
  • Health & Wellness
  • Lifestyle
  • Opinion
  • About the AJW
  • Jewish Community Directory
  • Support AJW
  • Subscription Information
  • Contact Us

© 2025 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.