Leonard Cohen at Winnipeg MTS Centre Concert Review
Leonard Cohen
April 27, 2013
By: Robert Rheubottom
Leonard Cohen demonstrates Juno Award winning style at Winnipeg's MTS Centre
Credits: Paul Butterfield/Getty Images
Rating for Leonard Cohen Old Idea concert, Winnipeg MB, April 26, 2013, MTS Centre
5 STARS
Leonard Cohen made a triumphant return to Winnipeg's MTS Centre last night (4/26), performing hot on the heels of winning artist of the year at the 2013 Juno Awards.
The iconic 78-year-old singer-songwriter/poet literally hit the stage running and received a standing ovation from the throngs of adoring fans.
Garbed in this trademark fedora and gray suit, the charismatic entertainer opened the night with a trio of classics, "Dance Me to the End of Love" from his 1984 studio album "Various Positions" along with the title track from his 1992 release "The Future" and the timeless "Bird on a Wire" from 1968's "Songs from a Room."
Cohen's sonorous voice sailed readily above the expert musicianship, tastefully supplied by his ace backing band, which included: Roscoe Beck (bass and longtime musical director), Rafael Gayol (drums), Javier Mas (bandurria), Alexandru Bublitchi (violin), Neil Larsen (keyboards), Mitch Watkins (lead guitar), and superb vocal harmonies supplied by his song-writing collaborator Sharon Robinson and the Webb Sisters.
The Montreal native thanked his fans for coming, including, "those who had to climb to their seats and those who had to walk to the lower seats down front," and apologized for having to postpone the originally scheduled March 11 date due to a flu outbreak among the band.
Cohen's handpicked musicians play an integral role in his show, each receiving plenty of solo time and recognition from the legendary singer-songwriter. In retrospect, it's little wonder that he chose to postpone rather than attempt to play without any one of them.
The show was separated into two halves with each set including chestnuts from his rich back catalogue along with new offerings from his critically acclaimed 2012 studio album "Old Ideas.”
"I hope this is not a farewell tour," Cohen joked. "But you never know when we’ll meet again. I promise, for tonight, we’re going to give you all we’ve got.”
He proceeded to do just that. Clocking in at nearly four hours, Cohen's performance seemed as ageless and timeless as his body of work. The octogenarian ran onstage for each set, skipped offstage afterwards and often dropped repeatedly to his knees in repentance or seeking forgiveness, frequent themes in his song lyrics, wringing emotion out of every syllable, word and phrase uttered.
"Darkness," "Amen, and "Come Healing" were among the new offerings served up in the first half, which wrapped with 1988's "First We Take Manhattan," a sensuous recitation of "A Thousand Kisses Deep" and a second "Future" fan fav - "Anthem."
After a brief intermission, Cohen manned the keyboard to open the second half with 1988's"I'm Your Man" wry humored "Tower of Song" after which he donned his acoustic guitar for a sensuous reading of his exquisite 1967 ballad, "Suzanne."
"Future" track, "Waiting for the Miracle," preceded two more "Old Ideas" selections - "Anyhow" and "Show Me the Place."
Highlights included Cohen's 1974 only "New Skin for an Old Ceremony" entry "Lover Lover Lover" and Sharon Robinson's lead vocal turn on Cohen's 2001 album "Ten New Songs" (co-written and produced by Robinson).
The second half wrapped with the "I'm Your Man" title track, the oft covered but ever stirring "Hallelujah" and Cohen's 1986 "Poets in New York" contribution "Take This Waltz."
In his first of three encores Cohen performed 1967's "So Long, Marianne," the lead-off track from "Old Ideas," titled "Going Home" and another "Future" crowd fav "Closing Time."
He returned with a stirring rendition of "Famous Blue Raincoat,” followed by a riveting vocal turn by the Webb Sisters on "If It Be Your Will," along with a first time set appearance of George Jones' hit "Choices," as a tribute to the late country legend (also dedicated to the memory of fellow Canadian greats Stomping Tom Connors and Rita MacNeil) and wrapped with "Old Ideas" closer "Different Sides."
With tongue planted firmly in cheek, he returned for a final encore, the aptly titled, "I Tried to Leave You!"
Earlier in the night, Cohen had joked, "It's ok if you need to leave early, we're going to be here a long time." He wasn't kidding! Fans can only hope this Canadian treasure remains with us for many mores years to come.
Leonard Cohen final Canadian date is tomorrow night in Regina, SK at Brandt Centre.
See Leonard Cohen's official website for more details.