#75 Love-in's Prevail

2009-11-02T07:23:00.000-08:00

Oh.... you could feel the Love in the room. Thanks to my buddy Gibber, I was sitting with the rest of the full house in the National Arts Centre, anticipating the eminent arrival of a 74 year old poet / songwriter who, just a couple of years ago said he probably wouldn't tour again because there wasn't enough interest. Well Leonard Cohen is thinking differently now. He literally pranced out on stage for the second night of two Ottawa “Sold Out” shows to be welcomed by a heartwarming standing ovation before he'd even uttered a note. And it's just not here as he's selling out everywhere he takes this beautiful production on an extensive world wide tour. The rather matronly woman sitting next to me was from Sault Ste. Marie and came for both yesterday and this evening's performance. At minimum $150 a ticket, plus transportation, hotel, etc., you've got to know she's a dedicated long time fan. Next to her was a couple of lads about 20 years young, also loving every moment. The female dominated crowd appeared to be around the 50+ with a smattering of younger folk.... all humbly in awe of 'his highness'.There was a casual elegence to the whole affair from the attire of the 6 piece band and 3 female back up singers to their wearing of hats similar to what Cohen has been sporting lately by many members. Neil Larsen on keyboards, often B3 organ; Raphael Gayol on drums, musical director Roscoe Beck on bass, Bob Metzger on primarily electric guitar but some acoustic and pedal steel, Dino Soldo on various saxes, bass clarinet, amazing harmonica with string machine fillers and Javier Mas on various acoustic string instruments all played in an understated way, always leaving lots of room for Cohen's bottom end vocals to be the intended focal point. The Webb Sisters and Sharon Robinson surrounded his vocals with two and three part harmonies that nicely added to the consistently sweet (and yes elegant) sound. Roscoe, Bob and Dino also provided background vocals so, mixed with the 3 female voices offered the sum of almost a full gospel choir- like background. Very tasty.He had the audience eating out of the palm of his hand. The room seemed to hang on every word, as if every poetic phrase was being offered to each one of us personally. His lyrics do that. They expose those inner thoughts and feelings, often sensual, even sexual, reminding us all of the historical emotional roller coaster rides deep in our own hearts and heads. Let's face it. Cohen's singing voice never was a rich instrument. These days it's more of a lyric - reciting bass line which he fluctuates up and down a few notes in a masterful way. Add some depth and echo through the sound system and he exudes a wonderfully haunting sound. Like Van the Man who also has limited range, it's more the presentation style and lyric content that keeps everyone coming back for more. I want to throw cudo's the sound man's way for his sound mix was stellar. Solid lighting cues and lighting effects also added to the overall ambience. One memorable such scene projected a gigantic silouette of Javier Mas, seated, playing a lute of some sort, high on the backstage wall. Colours ranged from deep sacred purplish reds to squinting sunset oranges, each adding to the lyrical pictoral offering. Elegence prevailed.Cohen's stage presence was effective. From prancing on and off, dropping often to his knee, dancing lightly to and fro, left or right, he seemed to be almost trance – like during each song. He gave each player and singer the opportunity in the show to 'strut their stuff' so to speak. Sharon Robinson co-wrote several tunes with him over the years which, along with Larsen's Hammond B3 often added lovely gospel sounds. The B3 sounds seemed to always be gently swirling between parts adding nicely to the overall audio product. Cohen offered many of his hits, each with a slightly different twist through instrumentation or arrangements. He performed a long first set, gave our emotions a break and came back for another full set, followed by at least three encores (I lost count). Yes, the love flowed and we all felt it, right to the final benediction.I've stayed at the Delta Chelsea in Toronto for the past 25 years while attending conferences, board meetings, etc and not once, in all that time was there any live music that ever caught my ear enough to settle in for a listen. That being said, you can imagine my delight when I recently attended a provincial Community Legal Clinic Conference and, upon checking in found that Thursdays have become 'Blues Nights' there and are co-hosted weekly by none other than Juno and multiple Maple Blues Award guitarist Jack de Keyser joining the incredible blues harmonica player Jerome Godboo and his seasoned band. It was great to see Jack again after his last show at O'reilly's a few months ago. He's playing Blue Skies this year too and watch for him back at O'reilly's. So, if you're in Toronto on a Thursday night, check out the Delta Chelsea... no cover. We danced up a storm and had our blues needs satisfied.Locally, mark your calendar because you’ll have a chance at your own ‘love-in’ as Jenny Whiteley presents the 4th Annual Elphin Roots Festival on Saturday June 27th in Elphin, 1pm to 11pm, with a rain location at the McDonalds Corners Agricultural Hall. We were at a private function a week ago at the Elphin site and it truly is a wonderful space. Featured are Chris Coole, Aengus Finnan, The Gertrudes, Lynne Hansen, Music Maul, Prescott, Sheesham & Lotus, John Southworth, Sugar Plum, Ian Tamblyn, Brock Zeman and many more. Go to http://www.jennywhiteley.com/ for more information. Tickets are available at Shadowfax, in Perth. See you there…..SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC, EVERYWHERE

Musical Musings

#75 Love-in's Prevail