SONGS OF A LEGEND

December 2, 2010

Mysterious and melodic, celebrated Canadian poet, novelist, and singer-songwriter, Leonard Cohen, is cut from a different cloth. The soulful artist transfixed the Vancouver crowd at Rogers Arena Thursday night, transforming the stadium into an intimate venue.

Wasting no time, Cohen launched into "Dance Me to the End of Love", serenading the crowd on his knees in the centre of the stage. Consumed by the words, Cohen embodied the music, his eyes closed and his passion worn on his sleeve.

The sound was incredible, every last word flowing from Cohen's bass vocal chords was audible throughout the stadium. The crowd was charmed by his soothing, even voice and pulled in by his energy. And they let their appreciation be known.

At 76, Cohen's vibrant spirit is remarkable, especially considering he is in the final stretch of a three-year tour. If the miles are wearing on him, you'd never know. The Montreal native, poised and sharp in a dark suit and fedora, delivered a show of impeccable quality.

Addressing the crowd, Cohen promised, "Tonight, we'll give it everything we've got." A man of his word, he spend the next three hours living up to it.

The concert descended into the crevasses of Cohen’s illustrious career, a songbook full of popular hits, from "Bird on a Wire" to "Everybody Knows". The complimentary supporting cast including longtime backup singer and collaborator Sharon Robinson, and the Webb Sisters carried each song to new heights.

The depth of his songs navigate human emotion, exploring spirituality and issues of the world. Constructed from the acclaimed literary mind of Cohen, the songs stand the test of time. Dark and honest, but not without hope, his lyrics are powerful; “There’s a crack, a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.”

His longevity as a musician has never been more evident. The elite signer-songwriter, who was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2008, treated the crowd to an array of classics including "Who By Fire", "Tower of Song", and "Hallelujah".

Cohen was already an accomplished poet and novelist, when he began honing his musical craft, releasing his debut album Songs of Leonard Cohen in 1967. His career spans more than four decades and he continues to be an influential force in music. Returning to the studio in 2011, tonight's show may have been one of the last opportunities to take in the live Cohen-experience.

Tonight certainly wasn't one that Vancouver fans will forget any time soon. Delivering on his promise, Cohen left it all on the stage.