I put these into Google Translate just to see how they get mangled.
time. There were three and a half hour concert. They are 78 years in that body. Songs are eternal. Songs are enthusiastically received around the world at present, partly because it was too long absent from the stage. Let the songs stand. He gave himself up to the possibility of rest. When revived, gained new meaning. And he, a new breath. Perhaps in these days of fragmented culture we need songs like that, that make us believe in the permanence.
Cohen's songs are that. Solid. Immovable. Perfect, whatever it is. It started with "Dance me to the end of love" and then went straight to "The Future". The weather, always. Since his return in 2008, was the fourth time he has performed in Portugal, and the public permanently with him. Sometimes respectful. Sometimes bursting into applause. Toward the end singing in chorus "So long, Marianne." Stage and audience together.
He, elegant in his dark suit and his hat, sometimes doubling up on itself, other hopping and other kneeling, as the inevitable "Halllelujah", marked by a solemn organ solo, singing with the lightness of Who knows all the words to the songs, but at the same time with demersal who knows the complexity of singing.
The stage scenery was sober but elegant. The musicians, in symbiosis with it, respecting its primacy, mature like him, knowing how to listen and hear, not getting lost in technical juggling. This was indeed one of the predominant ideas: sobriety. There are some new melodies, there are some deviations from the norm of the songs, but it's all done in a subtle way.
Even when they played some of the songs from the new album ("Old Ideas") that could display more excessive melodies, arrangements were fair, harmonious balance with that done in various shades (jazz, folk, gospel) that flow into those words and voice.
By the interval there were songs from the new album and other things like "Everybody Knows," "Waiting for the Miracle" or "Anthem". The second half was even better, as if the musicians were there until just warm. "Tower of song" rocks the audience and prepares it for "Suzanne", one of the most intense moments, followed by others that everyone knows like "I'm your man" or "Take this waltz", acclaimed for standing, already a small crowd in front of the stage that had abandoned the chairs in the audience.
By the middle of the singers shine also support, especially Sharon Robinson, and more timeless songs as "First we take Manhattan" or "Save the last dance for me", which ends the last three "encores." At one time they addressed the audience, Leonard Cohen had said: "I hope you find more often in the future, if it does happen, promises you that we will give everything today." This promise was fulfilled completely.
I especially liked this bit.........
Leonard Cohen had said: "I hope you find more often in the future, if it does happen, promises you that we will give everything today."
So ther you have it - Leonard's philosophy in one line - not sure he would recognise it !!!
!
