leonardcohenforum.com

Founded in 1888, by Joseph Oller, the creator of the Moulin Rouge, today easily recognizable by its giant red glowing letters announcing its name. It opened in 1889 as the "Montagnes Russes" but was renamed the Olympia in 1893.

Religious fervor to Leonard Cohen at Olympia

- Published 29/09/2012 at 08:45


In black suits and Borsalino, Leonard Cohen is elegance personified,
who takes care to highlight its employees and listens respectfully their solos.

Leonard Cohen was greeted by the audience with a quasi-religious fervor on Friday for the first of three concerts that the Canadian crooner gives the Olympia until Sunday.

At just 78 years, the poet gave a concert for more than three hours, interrupted by an intermission, before an audience of faithful who had paid between 100 and 167 euros to listen.

"Thanks for this home so warm and generous. We are happy to play in the legendary room. I do not know if we'll see, but I promise you that tonight we will give everything we have," did he promised early evening in perfect French.

Surrounded by five musicians and singers to faithful (Sharon Robinson and the Webb Sisters), the Canadian scene transforms into a comfortable living room, surrounded by large white curtains and covered with large rugs.

In black suits and Borsalino, Leonard Cohen is elegance personified, who takes care to highlight its employees and listens respectfully their solos.

He kneels to interpret his most intimate songs ("Dance me to the end of love", "Bird on the wire" ...), beats the foot when it is crooner, playing guitar, keyboards or Jew's harp.

The voice is still serious, but now somewhat veiled when he sings "Suzanne" and "Sisters of Mercy".

The arrangements are often melancholic for very long versions of these hits, which dilute the intensity.

This felted highlights the strength of songs from his latest album "Old Ideas", published in January. Worn by jazz and blues tones, they are concentrated in the first part of the concert.

In the sitting room, the atmosphere is almost religious.

The audience applauded wildly between each song and even offers several standing-ovation to the poet. But when he starts to sing, the silence.

The concert suffers from this silent fervor until the second part, where Leonard Cohen force traces of humor and grace of "I'm Your Man" and "Hallelujah" finally manages to lead his audience in a final waltz.

Mabeanie1 wrote:I was in Notre Dame cathedral this afternoon. I was admiring the statue of Sainte Jeanne D'Arc and thinking "if only ....."

Wendy

olive31 wrote:What a magical night Paris yesterday!!!!
Here's a clip of The Partisan!