And the baffled old man was singing 'hallelujah'
Leonard Cohen concert on 25th of July in Lorrach, Germany.
It all started hours before, actually.
I arrived rather early for the concert - as planned - and since the city's downtown had nice shops and a comfortable shopping mall, I roamed a bit through the next season's fashion.
The stage where the concert would be was right in the middle of it all on the market square and some guys were already testing the mics and installing the instruments and so on. Nothing special, really.
So, coming out of the H&M and having the next shop in mind already at about 4PM (4 hours to the concert, plenty of time), there was music. Loud, proper, live music coming from the direction of the stage.
As I advanced vers the market square, the music turned out to be 'Dance me to the end of love'.
Leonard's song.
And there he was.
Complete with Sharon, the Webb Sisters and his band.
Leonard Cohen.
Dressed in a plain purple-blue shirt, an unremarkable vest of muted black and matching pants; a 60's style hat and sunglasses, and there he sang his song with the very voice that had been my guide and loving partner, the voice that had deepened and became rough over 40 years now and of which I know every little shade. And he stood there, right in front of me, and did his sound check.
Wow. I was transfixed, baffled, moved to tears!
Therefore, when the concert officially started at 8PM, the anticipation had ebbed away a bit and I could fully enjoy the moment.Leonard and his band, including the three lovely background vocals Sharon Robinson and the two Webb Sisters, emitted a feeling of harmonic togetherness. It was just seven men and three women in plain blacks snd whites, doing their stuff; playing the sax and guitars, the drums and organ, and Leonard sang his songs and it it was just beautiful.
It was more of a spiritual service to us than a concert (and yes, that was what Leonard called it, too: 'A spiritual journey'). You felt balanced, cozy, at ease, filled up with something sophisticated. And when Leonard sang his 'Hallelujah', I couldn't help but believe his every word, although I'm not a Christian. But, coming from him, it was like a blessing. Something holy and godly passing through him that touched me like nothing spiritual had ever touched me before.
When Leonard constantly introduced his band, he bowed to them and they bowed to him and then to the audience. Something Leonard must've brought down from Mt. Baldy. It was a great feeling of respect for each other and everyone on this stage was equal.
Leonard was really energetic for his 74 years, jumping around like a child sometimes, kneeling down as if in prayer, playing the guitar and the keyboard. I has happy to see him smile so much, knowing that he was moved by the fact that so many people came to see him. Him, this old man who can't even sing properly and makes songs since 1968 that nobody really understands. And all those people came from so many nations just to see him there.
So, yeah. That was it. My own personal spiritual journey :). I think I feel enlightened a lot.
It all started hours before, actually.
I arrived rather early for the concert - as planned - and since the city's downtown had nice shops and a comfortable shopping mall, I roamed a bit through the next season's fashion.
The stage where the concert would be was right in the middle of it all on the market square and some guys were already testing the mics and installing the instruments and so on. Nothing special, really.
So, coming out of the H&M and having the next shop in mind already at about 4PM (4 hours to the concert, plenty of time), there was music. Loud, proper, live music coming from the direction of the stage.
As I advanced vers the market square, the music turned out to be 'Dance me to the end of love'.
Leonard's song.
And there he was.
Complete with Sharon, the Webb Sisters and his band.
Leonard Cohen.
Dressed in a plain purple-blue shirt, an unremarkable vest of muted black and matching pants; a 60's style hat and sunglasses, and there he sang his song with the very voice that had been my guide and loving partner, the voice that had deepened and became rough over 40 years now and of which I know every little shade. And he stood there, right in front of me, and did his sound check.
Wow. I was transfixed, baffled, moved to tears!
Therefore, when the concert officially started at 8PM, the anticipation had ebbed away a bit and I could fully enjoy the moment.Leonard and his band, including the three lovely background vocals Sharon Robinson and the two Webb Sisters, emitted a feeling of harmonic togetherness. It was just seven men and three women in plain blacks snd whites, doing their stuff; playing the sax and guitars, the drums and organ, and Leonard sang his songs and it it was just beautiful.
It was more of a spiritual service to us than a concert (and yes, that was what Leonard called it, too: 'A spiritual journey'). You felt balanced, cozy, at ease, filled up with something sophisticated. And when Leonard sang his 'Hallelujah', I couldn't help but believe his every word, although I'm not a Christian. But, coming from him, it was like a blessing. Something holy and godly passing through him that touched me like nothing spiritual had ever touched me before.
When Leonard constantly introduced his band, he bowed to them and they bowed to him and then to the audience. Something Leonard must've brought down from Mt. Baldy. It was a great feeling of respect for each other and everyone on this stage was equal.
Leonard was really energetic for his 74 years, jumping around like a child sometimes, kneeling down as if in prayer, playing the guitar and the keyboard. I has happy to see him smile so much, knowing that he was moved by the fact that so many people came to see him. Him, this old man who can't even sing properly and makes songs since 1968 that nobody really understands. And all those people came from so many nations just to see him there.
So, yeah. That was it. My own personal spiritual journey :). I think I feel enlightened a lot.