Leonard was our Special Guest at the London meetup

[Diane]

Wonderful pics! Brings it all back. Now that I am returning to earth, I am left with a lovely memory of the awed reverential hush that greeted Leonard as he came into the Green Note. And as he spoke with everyone and signed books, the emotion in the room was of collective delight, and it was worth a million dollars.

Later on, at the Barbican pre-concert talk, Leonard recited much of A Thousand Kisses Deep, and hearing him do that live was thrilling, and the highlight of the evening's performance for me. As his beautiful voice was reciting the words, I was filled with a sense of admiration for how talented and generous and humble he is.

Saturday was priceless.

Thanks for everything, Leonard.

Diane

[Henning]

Diane, you had asked me about my setlist. Here it is:

Other Writers, Gravity, The Sun, The Cold, Lorca Lives, Split

I think I felt that something much greater would happen every next second, that's why I kept it short. I think.

H.

[lizzytysh]

Beautiful description, Diane. Your second paragraph also describes how I felt watching and listening to him in Toronto, even without a recitation. I would have also been in awe of his memory at that point.


~ Lizzy

[Byron]

Once again, my thanks to each and everyone of you who were there and for your photographs that you have posted in here. Keep them coming.

First hand reviews are so much more interesting.

[Diane]

Ah yes, Mr H, it was Split I was thinking of! You sang it powerfully. Really enjoyed that one. I hope that devious Wijbe (sp?) has it taped.

[Henning]

Thanks for the feedback, Mrs. D ! It helps me to understand which way to go.

[Pete]

Thanks for the feedback, Mrs. D ! It helps me to understand which way to go.

onwards and upwards

[Henning]

While people were more interested in taking photos with that other singer from Canada, only this balloon patiently posed with me.

Photo taken by Diane

[Pete]

While people were more interested in taking photos with that other singer from Canada, only this balloon patiently posed with me.

That's just your inflated opinion

[Diane]

Henning was so popular in London he was booked for a hen party on the same day. That is the "before" picture.

[Padma]

I've really enjoyed reading everyone's account and the pictures are great - I can't wait for Jarkko to post them all next week. For me, the event started many months ago when Diane and I had been talking very informally about a get together in London - and the Barbican concert seemed the perfect time to organise something. Harry and I had been to the Green Note for a meal and to listen to some music one evening and we were both completely bowled over with the venue. In the 1980s, so many other similar venues existed - and they have over the years been replaced with cocktail bars or restaurants catering for a completely different type of clientele. The GN reminded us both of a very famous folk bar in town called "Bunjies" (where John Martyn used to play before he became famous) - sadly this too has met the demise of all the others (and yes, Hydriot the Troubadors is another).

Jarkko recently emailed me a couple of times emphasising how important it was for everyone to come to the GN on time - now I know why!! On the day itself, we were supposed to have been there by 11.30 to meet Paula and for Pete to try out Harry's guitar. As it turned out we rolled in just before 12 (typical Indian timing - if they say 11 o'clock - arrive at the earliest at 2!!). We were (pleasantly) taken back by how many Cohenists were already there.... it was great to see everyone again. Jarkko whispered - "I've invited Leonard to come - he has a busy day but he will try to come" . At this stage I didn't think it was going to happen!! There was a very relaxed atmosphere in the GN - with everyone greeting each other, catching up with old friends and being introduced to new ones.

At about 3 o'clock Leonard arrived (on his own) and Michael who was already on the mic (I think discussing the literary merits of Deidre's winning poem) introduced Leonard as our special guest ..and it is exactly as Diane says - there was a hushed, reverential silence that you could have cut through. Michael and Lizzie read out poems ...and then the (very thoughtful) sound engineer put on 10 New Songs - and whilst Leonard made his way round greeting, signing and having photos - the songs gently played in the background - it was surreal. One of the bar staff phoned the manageress of the GN and said "Leonard Cohen is here!!!" She didn't believe her at first but managed to race back from another event that the GN were hosting up the road - to have her photo taken with him - someone told me that he was already in the taxi when she arrived back but Leonard very graciously got out for the final photo call!! Both the manageresses of the Green Note are big LC fans!! and I was told when I made the booking by them that we had very good taste in music...

There is so much more to say but this is already a long enough posting - for me the thing that touched me the most was that Leonard coming to the event was a testiment of the friendship and respect that both Leonard and Jarkko hold for each other. Thank you so very, very much Jarkko - and thank you everyone for all your contributions to making the day so memorable for each other. Harry and I both hope to keep in touch with so many of you.

Pete - you are going to have to up your offer on Harry's guitar - 50 quid and a CD thrown in is just not enough (thanks for the CD - we've been listening to it all day today!)
Padma (and Harry!)
ps Does anyone know why we were not invited to the Hen-ning party? Did we say something to upset him?

[mickey_one]

The GN reminded us both of a very famous folk bar in town called "Bunjies" (where John Martyn used to play before he became famous) - sadly this too has met the demise of all the others (and yes, Hydriot the Troubadors is another).

Padma, if you mean the Troubador in Kensington, then it was still alive last year where I saw the great Jackie Leven play.

[Padma]

Michael - thank you for that. I had no idea it was still open. I vaguely remember many years ago talk of it closing down.

[Pete]

Pete - you are going to have to up your offer on Harry's guitar - 50 quid and a CD thrown in is just not enough (thanks for the CD - we've been listening to it all day today!)
Padma (and Harry!)

Just a minute!!!! My last offer was £25!
and that added to the value of the cd makes it a round £3500
I'll collect it in the morning
Pete

[lortigosa]

Hi everyone! I have some pictures to upload

Thanks Jarkko for convincing Leonard to come and see us!!!