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DoChara's Ireland Blog
Random Writings about Ireland and the Irish
Saturday
June 14 2008
Leonard Cohen at the Royal Hospital
Was up in Dublin last night for the first of Leonard Cohen's three sold-out appearances at the Royal Hospital in Kilmainham. What a fantastic night!
I've always been a pretty hard-core Cohen fan, but last night was something really special, a night that will live in the memory of all of those lucky enough to have been there. The man is extraordinary, his voice, his songs, his performance, his band, his singers - everything so utterly perfect that there are no superlatives that could do it justice. I am not exagerating when I say that this was probably the best night out I've had in my life.
Before the concert we called into B&Q to buy some garden furniture and mentioned to a woman working there where we were headed. In her fine Dublin accent she shot back "Have yez got yer rope?" while making hanging gestures. Why do so many people get him so wrong? He was funny, sad, poignant, uplifting, inspiring, spiritual, sexy (yes, even at 73 the man has it) but never depressing.
If you get any chance to get along to any of the concerts on this tour, GO, even if you have to sell your soul for a ticket - it won't matter, he'll give it back to you anyway.
He thanked the audience with the words "It's been an honour and privilege to be here". All I can say is that the privilege was all ours. He's the man.
Comments on "Leonard Cohen at the Royal Hospital"
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Posted by: Thomas
14 Jun 2008, 14:17
I was there too, absolutely incredible gig and I'm not even a huge fan or
wasn't before last night but it was hands down the best concert I've ever
been at and I've been to hundreds. His generosity and humility were as
extraordinary as his genius.
Posted by: dave a
15 Jun 2008, 09:44
going tonight, am a huge fan, was at his last concert 20yrs ago, am
drooling at the mouth at the prospects of tonight, I know it will be magic.
Posted by: Luisa
15 Jun 2008, 13:40
Nice pictures! I'm from Barcelona, last Friday was my first time in
Ireland, for the concert. It was so special I'll never forget it. And Irish
people was amazing, what an atmosphere! It was great, his voice was
excelent and I enjoyed every second of the show :)
Posted by: peter
16 Jun 2008, 06:29
I was at the Saturday evening concert. My wife and I thought it was great.
One of the hightlights for me was Leonard Cohen's spellbinding recitation
of "A Thousand Kisses Deep". Are there different versions of this song. In
Leonard's recitation at the concert there are more words than in the album
version?
Peter
Posted by: Kathy
16 Jun 2008, 16:24
I was at the concert on Friday and it was just fantastic. He is just the
main man.last time I saw him was 1979 seems so long ago but he sounds just
brilliant and if I get a chance to see him again I will. He is such a
gentleman.
Posted by: Katherine (DoChara)
16 Jun 2008, 20:46
Peter, I'm not sure about other versions, but I agree with you, A Thousand
Kisses Deep spoken was amazing.
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