Today's Cohen

NEWS: Official Leonard Cohen Merchandise Now Available

2010-09-17T12:24:00.000-07:00

Announced today on Facebook's Official Leonard Cohen page, a new merchandise store has opened offering OFFICIAL Leonard Cohen merchandise. Check it out.

NEWS: Songs From The Road Now Available

2010-09-16T11:43:00.000-07:00

From SONY - Newsletter and Press Kit Video for Songs From The Road:

Songs From The Road - Out Now!

Available now is SONGS FROM THE ROAD - featuring some of Leonard Cohen's most heralded collection of live performances from his recent world tour.

SONGS FROM THE ROAD not only showcases Cohen's consummate artistry as a concert performer, it is also a tribute to his enduring worldwide popularity at this time in his career. One dozen of Leonard Cohen's most famous songs from the stunning recent world tour performances - at auditorium halls, festivals, arenas, and stadiums from Tel Aviv to London, from across Europe to the California desert and his native Canada - are now collected on SONGS FROM THE ROAD.

As a bonus, the DVD and Blu-ray configurations will include a 20-minute "behind the scenes" backstage interview with the individual band members.

SONGS FROM THE ROAD represents every decade of Cohen's life as a recording artist, showcasing many of his most enduring songs and greatest hits.

SONGS FROM THE ROAD is available now in CD+DVD, Blu-Ray, and Vinyl LP packages in stores and online here. To see the full tracklisting and bonus features, and to order your copy, go to SonyMusicDigital.com/Leonard-Cohen now!

www.leonardcohen.com

And here is the press kit video celebrating the album:

NEWS: Leonard Cohen Adds Four 'Final' North American Tour Dates

2010-09-07T23:09:00.000-07:00

From Spinner

Leonard Cohen Adds Four 'Final' North American Tour Dates

Posted on Sep 7th 2010 11:44PM by Benjy Eisen

Now approaching age 76, Leonard Cohen has announced what is ominously being billed as his "final four North American dates." Thankfully, the context appears to just be for his current world tour, which began in 2008 and saw the iconic performer play three-hour marathon concerts to packed arenas and venues everywhere; however, Cohen himself did hint at retirement several times along the tour path. Even when his career was in full swing, Cohen often took an excessively long time between albums and tours as he pursued other interests and he would drop out of the public eye for years at a clip.

That said, Cohen does plan to return to the studio in 2011, so we'll keep our fingers crossed that he'll grace the next generation with his awesome stage presence and his impeccable performances. But, for now, there will only be four more chances to see him in concert, in North America, and they are all at intimate 3,000-seat venues.

On Dec. 4, Cohen will perform in Honolulu, Hawaii followed by a Dec. 8 engagement in Portland, Ore. After that, Cohen will head to an oasis in the desert for a two-night stand, beginning Dec. 10, in Las Vegas, Nev. Those shows will take place in the Colosseum at Caesar's Palace, which has been home to resident shows by Cher, Celine Dion and Elton John. Unfortunately, Cohen's "residency" there will only be for a weekend and don't expect any showgirls -- expect show stopper after show stopper instead.

http://www.spinner.com/2010/09/07/leonard-cohen-adds-four-final-north-american-dates/

NEWS: Additional Tour Dates to Be Announced

2010-08-29T22:22:00.001-07:00

The final tour dates of the Leonard Cohen World Tour will be announced on September 6, 2010 on The Leonard Cohen Forum. Information released thus far:

4-Dec: to be announced on September 6
8-Dec: to be announced on September 6
10 & 11-Dec: to be announced on September 6

For info on tickets see The Leonard Cohen Forum.

NEWS: Updates on Odense, Berlin and Gent Concerts

2010-08-29T22:01:00.000-07:00

The Leonard Cohen World Tour is on a one week hiatus hopefully getting much sun and R&R. Before they took their break, they took Odense, Denmark, Berlin, Germany and Gent, Belgium by storm. There were three concerts in Gent in St. Peter's Square with a beautiful backdrop.

The new songs, Born In Chains, The Darkness, and Feels So Good, are now regulars on the set list each night. Those outside the barrier in Gent during soundcheck reported hearing a new song and some old favorites, which have yet to make their appearance on the set list during the world tour.

Youtubes are available for Odense, Berlin and Gent thanks to the brilliant work of those behind their cameras.

Here is the summary of reviews from these concerts. Read the full reviews on Speaking Cohen:

August 14, 2010
Odense, Denmark
Engen, Fruens Boege

"[A] sublime concert... [Cohen] was fantastic" -- Dagbladet Information

"A truly beautiful evening with an excellent band and a soloist,
who is still on top a month before his 76 birthday...
Now we just need a new album from the man...
I can hardly wait." -- Gaffa

August 18, 2010
Berlin, Germany
Waldbuhne

"Leonard Cohen is a talented lyricist and singer,
and he has written some of the most beautiful love songs of the 20th Century.
His "golden voice carries" them with fresh varnish throughout the world...
He gives himself to the audience... Watching him, opens the heart." -- Der Tagesspiegel

"Thank God...for Leonard Cohen, who has never sung better,
never more moving than now, with almost 76 years." -- Der Tagesspiegel

"Like a good red wine Leonard Cohen is getting better with age." -- Noows

"[A] stunning concert with one of the most moving song poets of our day" -- Welt

August 20, 21 & 22, 2010
Gent, Belgium
Sint-Pietersplein (St Peter's Square)

"[G]reat concert... Mr. Cohen came, saw and conquered my heart" -- Noows

"Absolutely world class." -- De Standaard

"Cohen and his band brought the audience into raptures over three hours." -- Nieuwsblad

NEWS: Updates on Stockholm, Helsinki, and Gothenburg

2010-08-14T21:39:00.000-07:00

The Leonard Cohen World Tour continues to roll on. The concert on August 12 in Gothenburg marked the 200th show. It was reported that this was also the longest Cohen concert yet, nearly four hours. Congratulations to Leonard Cohen and the Unified Hearts Touring Company.

The new songs, Born In Chains, The Darkness, and Feels So Good, continue to thrill audiences each night. Rumor has it another new song is being worked on during sound checks.

Youtubes are available for Stockholm, Helsinki, and Gothenburg . Oh, and in Helsinki, the quick fingers of MaartenLC managed to capture Leonard hand whistling his way through Heart With No Companion.

Here is the summary of reviews from these concerts. Read the full reviews on Speaking Cohen:

August 8, 2010 Stockholm, Sweden

"[Cohen] is in impressive form" -- SvD

August 10, 2010 Helsinki, Finland

"[Cohen's] voice is at its peak... a mammoth show of intensity and commitment" -- HBL.fi

"Cohen gave the audience everything... a memorable evening" -- Svenska.YLE

"The grand master gave everything" -- Aamulehti, Tampere

August 12, 2010 Gothenburg/Göteborg

"Cohen offers a delightful evening with all the favorites" -- Göteborgs-Posten

""An event with an elaborate perfectionism, but...
Leonard Cohen never loses empathy or feeling...
music that sounds like a whisper and feels like a caress" -- Expressen

"[A] spiritual, a funny and a very carnal affair... a perfect show" -- Nordjyske

NEWS: Tour Date - September 12, 2010

2010-08-12T14:24:00.000-07:00

A new concert date has been announced for Leonard Cohen's 2010 World Tour:

September 12, 2010
Ourense, Spain
Pazo dos Dep Paco Paz-Ourense.

Also, there is a new venue for the Bratislava, Slovakia concert on October 13, 2010:

NTC Sibamac Arena.

Ticket info can be found on The Leonard Cohen Forum.

NEWS: Updates on Malmo and Oslo Concerts

2010-08-08T00:27:00.000-07:00

A short summary of the reviews from Leonard's concerts in Malmo and Oslo is listed below. Leonard continues to include his news songs, Born In Chains, Feels So Good and The Darkness, in his set lists. Democracy was added during the Malmo concert and in Oslo, Leonard again sang A Singer Must Die.

Youtubes for the Malmo concert are here. No youtubes have been added yet for the Oslo concert.

The full reviews of the Malmo and Oslo concerts, along with photos and set lists, can be found on Speaking Cohen.

August 4, 2010 - Malmö - Sweden Malmö Arena

"[M]ore than three-hour show of aplomb and elegance...
His concert in Malmö Arena impresses on so many levels" -- HD.se

August 6, 2010 - Oslo, Norway - Oslo Spektrum

"[H]e held the audience spellbound...
the power of his art... remains remarkable" -- VG Nett

"Cohen has assembled a brilliant band of musicians
who are among the very best in the industry.
Leonard Cohen clearly loves his audience, almost as much as they love him." -- Puls

"Having performed these songs... many times he gives them new life,...
as if he performed them for the first time." -- Dagbladet

NEWS: Updates on Graz and Sligo Concerts

2010-08-03T16:06:00.000-07:00

Below is a summary of the reviews from Leonard's concerts in Graz and Sligo. In both Graz and Sligo, Leonard played his new songs "Born In Chains" and "Feels So Good." In addition, at the two Sligo concerts, Leonard played his new song "The Darkness." And for the first time during this World Tour, Leonard performed "A Singer Must Die" at the first concert in Sligo. Leonard also recited a portion of the Yeats poem "In Memory of Eva Gore-Booth and Con Markiewicz" at both concerts in Sligo.

Youtubes for the Graz concert are available here. Youtubes for the Sligo concerts can be found here. The Sligo Youtube channel has high quality versions of Born In Chains, The Darkness, Feels So Good, A Singer Must Die and the Yeats poem. Thanks to albertnoonan and messalina79 for their videorecording efforts.

Read the full reviews of the Graz concert and Sligo concerts on Speaking Cohen. You'll find the set lists and lots of photos.

July 28, 2010 - Graz, Austria - Stadthalle

"[An} unforgettable evening in song" -- Kleine Zeitung

July 31 & August 1, 2010 - Sligo, Ireland - The Lissadell House

"[T]he combined musical talent was overwhelming... The show...is terrific" - Irish Times

"Another mesmerising performance, evident in the thousands of beaming smiles all around" - Irish Independent

"[T]his was the most amazing concert I’ve ever been at... a night of perfection" - Drop-d Music Magazine

NEWS: Tour Date - September 10, 2010

2010-08-02T12:24:00.000-07:00

An additional tour date has been added to Leonard Cohen's 2010 World Tour:

Atlantico Arena
Lisboa, Portugal
September 10, 2010

Check out The Leonard Cohen Forum for ticket info.

NEWS: Updates on Zagreb & Salzburg Concerts

2010-07-28T17:58:00.000-07:00

Below is a summary of quotes from media reviews of Leonard Cohen's Zagreb and Salzburg concerts. You can read the reviews in full with plenty of photos and check out the set lists on Speaking Cohen. Leonard premiered a new song, "Born In Chains," in Salzburg. In addition, he performed "Feels So Good," a new song first heard last year.

I have organized youtube playlist for Zagreb and Salzburg. There are plenty of high quality youtubes to watch of the Zagreb concert. The Salzburg playlist is still growing but includes the full version of "Born In Chains."

July 25, 2010, Zagreb, Croatia, Arena Zagreb

"Cohen's poetic, profound, but chivalrous and charming performance was truly magnificent... a truly beautiful and memorable concert" -- Jutarnji List

"[A] performance to remember" -- Net.hr

"[A] master performance... Leonard Cohen is a champion of his craft" - Muzika.hr

"[A]n unforgettable experience" -- SEEbiz

"From these concerts the world truly becomes
better and more beautiful simply because they remind us
of the angels and the divine within ourselves." -- Jutarnji.hr

July 27, 2010, Salzburg, Austria, Salzburgarena

"[A] church service of poetry and humility" -- Salzburger Nachrichten

"Cohen produced a concert, one of the greatest intensity." -- Salzburger Nachrichten

"Leonard Cohen wowed the audience" -- Tiroler Tageszeitung

NEWS: Angels in the Wings

2010-07-24T00:36:00.000-07:00

To celebrate the upcoming Cohen concert at Lissadell House in Sligo, Ireland, the Irish Independent provides an interview with Leonard's backing singers, Sharon Robinson and Hattie and Charlie Webb.

And on backing vocals, ladies and gentlemen. . .

Irish Independent
Saturday July 24 2010
by Nick Kelly

Last week, we looked at the storied past of Lissadell House, the rural idyll that will play host to next weekend's concerts by Leonard Cohen in Sligo. This week, we managed to chew the cud with two of Cohen's multi-talented backing singers, who have played more than 200 shows with him over the past three years, including his Dublin shows at Kilmainham in 2008 and the O2 Arena last year.

If the 75-year-old Cohen is the wise elder statesman, then his chorus of Sharon Robinson (his longtime friend and collaborator) and Charley and Hattie Webb (aka the Webb Sisters) add sex appeal and glamour to the equation, as well as their own unique musical gifts (Hattie, for instance, plays a 22-string Celtic harp during 'If It Be Your Will').

Sharon, originally from San Francisco but raised in Los Angeles, first sang with Leonard Cohen in 1979 when he was touring the album Field Commander Cohen.

She would go on to co-write the classic Cohen compositions 'Everybody Knows' (from I'm Your Man) and 'Waiting For The Miracle' (from The Future) and later co-write and produce his magnificent 'comeback' album Ten New Songs in 2001 (she also appears alongside Cohen on the album cover).

A number of these tracks ('In My Secret Life', 'Alexandra Leaving', 'A Thousand Kisses Deep') provide some of the highlights of the current live set. There's an elegance about the way Sharon sings and carries herself that really comes to the fore when she takes lead vocals on 'Boogie Street', her stirring, soulful alto transporting the audience to some slinky, smokey jazz club of the mind.

So how did Sharon meet Leonard?

"I had been doing a lot of recording sessions as a backing singer in Los Angeles. At the time I was working with Ann-Margret in her Vegas show at Ceasar's Palace. She had the biggest show on the strip at that time," Sharon recalls.

"My name was given to Jennifer Warnes (Cohen's chief backing singer at that time) because she was given the job of finding the singer who would go out and work with her on that tour. Fortunately for me, it all worked out."

In the 1990s, Cohen took a long hiatus from the music business when he famously holed up in the Zen Buddhist monastery in Mount Baldy, California, for five years. Was Sharon still in contact with him during his time living with the monks?

"We stayed in touch as we always have," she says. "At some point he decided to leave there and come back to Boogie Street, as it were. We got together and much to my great surprise he asked me to start working on what turned out to be Ten New Songs."

What was the writing process like for Sharon on that album?

"It would usually start with the words -- he'd give me a verse or a few verses, or sometimes a whole completed lyric, and then I would take it away and come up with ideas for melodies.

"I would work on my acoustic piano, initially. Once the idea was decided on, I would go into my studio and start putting together tracks. For that record, we ended up not really bringing in musicians much. Bob Metzger played guitar on 'In My Secret Life' but mostly it was my own work in the studio using sampling.

"He was enjoying the contrast between the organic sounds of the voices and the electronic background."

As well as working with Cohen, Sharon has written songs for the likes of Aaron Neville, Patti Labelle and Diana Ross. With such a pedigree, it comes as something of a surprise to find that Sharon only released her debut solo album, Everybody Knows, in 2008. It features several Cohen numbers, on which she has put her own bluesy stamp.

After doing Ten New Songs, it was clear to me that I could put something together on my own," Sharon explains. "Having wanted to do an album for my entire career, and with a lot of encouragement from Leonard and a lot of validation that came out of his record, I decided to figure out what my own voice would be as an artist.

"But I'm looking forward to singing again with Leonard in Ireland -- it seems to me that Irish audiences have a special connection to Leonard and his body of work."

Singing alongside Sharon on stage in Lissadell will be Charley and Hattie Webb.

The sisters hail from Kent in England -- but are currently living in Los Angeles. Their latest four-song EP, The Other Side, is available on iTunes and their forthcoming album is titled Savages. So how did they get caught in Leonard's web?

"Hattie and I were in Los Angeles making our own album with Peter Asher (legendary producer who worked with James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt). Sharon gave us a call -- we were already friends and had worked together the previous year writing songs together -- and said Leonard's looking for people to sing with him, so why don't you come along. We went along and Sharon and Hattie and I sang together. Sharon's got this fantastic, rich, soulful voice and a big range.

"And Hattie has quite a husky voice and she can be bluesy when she wants to be. My voice, which is a bit higher, seems to fit theirs somehow. We get on great, as people and as voices."

Had Charley always been a big Cohen fan?

"I got to know some of his best songs a couple of decades after they became famous," she says. "The recordings that most of us get to know are from that time when his voice was significantly higher. Occasionally he decides to sing something in that range and it still sounds phenomenal. But he does seem to have got that depth -- maybe it's from the smoking and the pontificating!" she laughs.

What does it feel like on stage?

"I feel that weightiness when the concert's under way. I feel that it's Leonard's presence, and his connection to each person in the audience. He has this magic of somehow being able to sing a song that applies to each person, and you feel like he's written it for you. And he's so honourable and gentlemanly on stage -- whether you're on stage with the band or sitting in the audience, It's an honour to be around him. There's a sense of greatness."

In the O2, Charley and Hattie got a big cheer when they surprised us all with a synchronised backwards head stand mid-song. How did that come about? "We all have a great time in rehearsals," says Charley. "It came to pass during the song 'The Future' -- there was all kinds of different dancing going on between different band members. Then one day, when Leonard sang the line 'And the white girls dancing', we started doing some gymnastics. When he laughs hard, he laughs with no sound. That happened for a moment, and then he insisted that we do it in the next concert! And that request goes on and on!"

Leonard Cohen plays Lissadell House, Co Sligo, next Saturday and Sunday. For more info, visit: www.sharonrobinsonmusic.com and www.thewebbsisters.com

http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/and-on-backing-vocals-ladies-and-gentlemen-2270954.html

NEWS: The Lissadell House Story

2010-07-20T18:00:00.000-07:00

The story behind the Lissadell House in Sligo, Ireland, the site of Leonard Cohen's two outdoor concert dates on July 31 and August 1:

"When Two Old Treasures Meet" by Nick Kelly, Irish Independent, July 17, 2010

Thanks to Michael Purcell and Dick Straub for the article.

NEWS: Notes from the Road

2010-07-20T12:41:00.000-07:00

Here is something every die-hard Leonard Cohen fan has dreamed of, to be invited backstage on the Leonard Cohen tour. Well, road manager Joseph Carenza is offering us a virtual opportunity to do this with his blog "Notes from the Road." We begin with the rehearsal wrap party with a few celebs in attendance, observe the packing of the equipment and instruments while meeting a few of the key crew members and then we hit the road for Croatia, stop one on the 2010 tour.

Further, Joey is also tweeting the latest for eager fans. What more could we ask for?

Thanks to Joey Carenza for sharing with Cohen fans and for his wonderful photo eye.

NEWS: Release of Tony Palmer's Bird on a Wire Documentary

2010-07-19T12:49:00.000-07:00

Here are the details on the release of Tony Palmer's documentary Bird on a Wire. This documentary was originally released in 1972 and now has been re-edited for this new release.

Leonard Cohen’s Bird On A Wire Coming To DVD
By Evan Schlansky on July 19th, 2010

On August 31, MVD Visual will release Bird On A Wire, a 1972 film by experimental British filmmaker Tony Palmer (200 Motels, All My Loving) that has since faded into obscurity. The footage is taken from Cohen’s 1972 tour, and captures 17 song performances and four poems. The original film is lost, but Palmer has re-edited it after being reunited with the actual tapes, which were presumed missing.

“When, in 2009, 294 cans of film were discovered in a warehouse in Hollywood,” says Palmer, “in rusted up cans that sometimes had to be hammered open, and these cans were shipped to me by, of all people, Frank Zappa’s manager, I believed at first that nothing could be salvaged. The cans did not contain the negative (still lost); some of the prints were in black & white; and much of it had been cut to pieces and/or scratched beyond use. But when I finally opened one box and found most of the original sound dubbing tracks, I knew we had a hope of putting the jigsaw back together. So now, taking full advantage of the latest digital technology, this is what we have done, piece by piece, slowly and painstakingly. It has taken months and months, and probably has cost more than the original filming, and although it’s by no means perfect, it’s very close now to the original.”

Tracks on the DVD include “Avalanche,” “Suzanne,” “Tonight Will Be Fine,” “Passing Through,” “Sisters of Mercy,” “Who By Fire?,” “Story of Isaac,” “One Of Us Can’t Be Wrong,” “The Partisan,” “Chelsea Hotel,” “Nancy,” “Famous Blue Raincoat,” and “Bird On A Wire.”

“Now, looking back after 38 years, my admiration for Cohen as a poet, a singer and as a man, remains undiminished,” says Palmer. “The original film was made with love, and I hope that quality once again shines through the restored film.”

Bird On A Wire hits stores a month before Songs From The Road, a CD/DVD combo from Cohen’s 2009 tour.

From American Songwriter

NEWS: More on Songs From The Road

2010-07-16T11:42:00.000-07:00

Here is the press release from the record company on Songs From The Road:

Leonard Cohen's SONGS FROM THE ROAD Showcases Most Outstanding Performances From Ongoing World Tour

FILMED IN 2008/2009 IN HIGH DEFINITION AND 5.1. SURROUND SOUND, AT VENUES IN CANADA, GERMANY, ISRAEL, SCANDINAVIA, SWEDEN, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND U.S.A.

"Lover, Lover, Lover," "Bird On the Wire," "Chelsea Hotel," "Waiting for the Miracle," "Suzanne," "The Partisan," "Hallelujah," "Closing Time," and more - plus 20-minute "behind the scenes" interview feature

Separate DVD+CD and Blu-ray packages available at retail starting September 14, 2010, through Columbia/Legacy; Gatefold, 180 gram vinyl LP of the 12 audio tracks also available

NEW YORK, July 16 /PRNewswire/ -- In 1999, after an extended break from the spotlight, 64-year old Leonard Cohen returned to the recording studio and world stage with a passion. From then until now, his albums, concerts and DVD releases have informed a new generation. At the same time, Cohen has heroically fulfilled the dreams of his first generation of fans that have been following his career at Columbia Records since his debut LP in 1967.

Following the celebration of his 40th year as a Columbia artist in 2007 and coinciding with his induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in March 2008, Cohen thrilled his fans by announcing his first tour dates in 15 years. He's gone on to play the most prestigious and beautiful venues in virtually every corner of the globe, mesmerizing and charming audiences with performances that were hailed as some of the best of his career. "When legend Cohen takes to the stage," raved Ireland's The Independent (June 2008), "it's no less than a cultural event of Biblical dimensions."

One dozen of Leonard Cohen's most famous songs from those recent world tour performances – at auditorium halls, festivals, arenas, and stadiums from Tel Aviv to London, from across Europe to the California desert and his native Canada – are now collected on SONGS FROM THE ROAD. The 12-song program filmed in high def and recorded in 5.1 surround sound will be issued in two separate packages: The DVD+CD package will be an oversized 2-disc softpak, identical to last year's Leonard Cohen Live At The Isle Of Wight 1970. The Blu-ray will be in a standard amray case. Both will be available at all retail outlets starting September 14th through Columbia/Legacy, a division of SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT. A gatefold, 180 gram vinyl LP of the 12 audio tracks will also be released the same date.

As a bonus, the DVD and Blu-ray configurations will include a 20-minute "behind the scenes" backstage interview with the individual band members. The interviews were conducted by Leonard's daughter, Lorca Cohen.

The sets also feature two different sets of annotations. One is a rare album liner notes essay written by Leon Wieseltier, literary editor of The New Republic. The other is a detailed track-by-track insider's commentary written by Ed Sanders, who served as producer of the sound recording and editing, and producer and director of the video recording and editing. "I was there for every rehearsal," he begins. "I was at every sound check. I was present at every show."

Sanders' notes provides precious insight into the selection process for the twelve outstanding performances captured on SONGS FROM THE ROAD. For "Chelsea Hotel" (Royal Albert Hall, London, 11/17/2008), Sanders writes "Between sound check and show time Leonard would often play his guitar in the dressing room. In the early stages of this leg I would find him practicing 'Chelsea Hotel.' It came as a surprise to everyone (especially those on stage!) when at Rotterdam he launched into it solo after 'Tower of Song.' He continued to rehearse it with the band until the arrangement was ready. The version presented here is the second full-band performance. At the time I thought it was exceptionally compelling and I told Leonard so during intermission. He replied that he thought it went well; that he could feel the presence of a certain 'someone' as he sang it."

SONGS FROM THE ROAD is not only a tribute to Cohen's consummate artistry as a concert performer, it is also a tribute to his enduring worldwide popularity at this time in his career. The program complements his 2-disc DVD release of last year, Live In London, recorded on July 17, 2008, at London's 02 Arena, one of Europe's largest indoor venues. Live In London marked his first concert collection to be released since the 2001 CD, Field Commander Cohen: Tour of 1979. (Note: The O2 Arena selections on SONGS FROM THE ROAD are from November 2008.)

It is ultimately Cohen's ageless songs that draw faithful audiences – new fans and old – to his advance sold-out concerts. (The 2008 tour dates sold over 700,000 tickets alone, across 84 shows worldwide.) SONGS FROM THE ROAD represents every decade of his life as a recording artist, from the 1960s ("Suzanne" from his 1967 debut, Songs Of Leonard Cohen; "Bird on the Wire" and his interpretation of "The Partisan" both from his second album, 1969's Songs From a Room) – to the '00s ("That Don't Make it Junk" from 2001's Ten New Songs).

Along the way, SONGS FROM THE ROAD revisits Cohen's 'greatest hits' from the 1970s ("Famous Blue Raincoat" and "Avalanche" both from 1971's Songs Of Love and Hate; "Chelsea Hotel" from 1974's New Skin For the Old Ceremony, and "Lover, Lover, Lover" from the 1979 Field Commander Cohen recordings) – the 1980s ("Hallelujah" and "Heart With No Companion" from 1984's Various Positions) – and the 1990s ("Waiting for the Miracle" and "Closing Time" from 1992's The Future).

"Throughout the show," Wieseltier concludes in his essay, "it was never clear whose gratitude was greater, Cohen's or the audience's. He seemed to find at every stop the sisters of mercy whom he immortalized in one of his oldest and most tender songs…. And now, wherever this precious man wanders, the famous blue raincoat notwithstanding, people sing 'hallelujah!' The Psalmist himself could not have asked for more."

SONGS FROM THE ROAD by LEONARD COHEN

(CD + DVD: Columbia/Legacy 88697 75908 2)

(BLU-RAY: Columbia/Legacy 88697 75909 9)

(VINYL LP: Columbia/Legacy 88697 77112 1)

Tracklisting is identical for DVD, CD and Blu-ray, and vinyl LP:

Lover, Lover, Lover (Ramat Gan Stadium, Tel Aviv, Israel, September 24, 2009)
Bird On the Wire (Clyde Auditorium, Glasgow, Scotland, November 6, 2008)
Chelsea Hotel (Royal Albert Hall, London, England, November 17, 2008)
Heart With No Companion (Oberhausen King Pilsener Arena, Oberhausen, Germany, November 2, 2008)
That Don't Make it Junk (O2 Arena, London, England, November 13, 2008)
Waiting for the Miracle (HP Pavilion, San Jose, California, November 13, 2009)
Avalanche (Gothenburg Scandinavium, Gothenburg, Sweden, October 12, 2008)
Suzanne (MENA Arena, Manchester, England, November 30, 2008)
The Partisan (Hartwall Arena, Helsinki, Finland, October 10, 2008)
Famous Blue Raincoat (O2 Arena, London, England, November 13, 2008)
Hallelujah (Coachella Music Festival, Indio, California, April 17, 2009)
Closing Time (John Labatt Centre, London, Ontario, May 24, 2009)

SOURCE Legacy Recordings

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RELATED LINKS
http://www.legacyrecordings.com

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/leonard-cohens-songs-from-the-road-showcases-most-outstanding-performances-from-ongoing-world-tour-98599414.html

NEWS: Details on "Songs From The Road"

2010-07-15T23:08:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Arlene for this find from Vintage Vinyl News about the upcoming CD/DVD & Blu-Ray Songs From The Road.

THURSDAY, JULY 15, 2010
Preview: Songs From the Road - Leonard Cohen (Live CD/DVD From Current Tour)

Artist: Leonard Cohen
Title: Songs From the Road
Release Date: September 14, 2010
Label: Columbia/Legacy
Format(s): CD/DVD, Blu-Ray, Vinyl

In March of 2008, Leonard Cohen took to the road for a world tour in celebration of his 40 years with Columbia Records and his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The tour continues to this day.

Songs From the Road collects twelve performances of some of Cohen's most iconic songs from across all of those many miles and performances.

It is ultimately Cohen's ageless songs that draw faithful audiences - new fans and old - to his advance sold-out concerts. (The 2008 tour dates sold over 700,000 tickets alone, across 84 shows worldwide.) SONGS FROM THE ROAD represents every decade of his life as a recording artist, from the 1960s ("Suzanne" from his 1967 debut, Songs Of Leonard Cohen; "Bird on the Wire" and his interpretation of "The Partisan" both from his second album, 1969's Songs From a Room) - to the '00s ("That Don't Make it Junk" from 2001's Ten New Songs).

Along the way, SONGS FROM THE ROAD revisits Cohen's 'greatest hits' from the 1970s ("Famous Blue Raincoat" and "Avalanche" both from 1971's Songs Of Love and Hate; "Chelsea Hotel" from 1974's New Skin For the Old Ceremony, and "Lover, Lover, Lover" from the 1979 Field Commander Cohen recordings) - the 1980s ("Hallelujah" and "Heart With No Companion" from 1984's Various Positions) - and the 1990s ("Waiting for the Miracle" and "Closing Time" from 1992's The Future.)

The performances were recorded in Hi-Def and 5.1 Surround Sound and will be available in three separate formats:

CD/DVD in oversized 2-disc softpack
Blu-Ray in standard Amray case
180gm vinyl LP in a gatefold cover
The DVD and Blu-Ray will also have a twenty-minute backstage interview with the various band members conducted by Leonard's daughter, Lorca Cohen.

All of the sets will contain album liner notes by Leon Wieseltier, editor of the New Republic and track-by-track insider's commentary written by Ed Sanders who produced, edited and directed both the CD and DVD versions.

Track List:

The following track list applies to all four formats (CD, DVD, Blu-Ray & Vinyl):

Lover, Lover, Lover (Ramat Gan Stadium, Tel Aviv, Israel, September 24, 2009)
Bird On the Wire (Clyde Auditorium, Glasgow, Scotland, November 6, 2008)
Chelsea Hotel (Royal Albert Hall, London, England, November 17, 2008)
Heart With No Companion (Oberhausen King Pilsener Arena, Oberhausen, Germany, November 2, 2008)
That Don't Make it Junk (O2 Arena, London, England, November 13, 2008)
Waiting for the Miracle (HP Pavilion, San Jose, California, November 13, 2009)
Avalanche (Gothenburg Scandinavium, Gothenburg, Sweden, October 12, 2008)
Suzanne (MENA Arena, Manchester, England, November 30, 2008)
The Partisan (Hartwall Arena, Helsinki, Finland, October 10, 2008)
Famous Blue Raincoat (O2 Arena, London, England, November 13, 2008)
Hallelujah (Coachella Music Festival, Indio, California, April 17, 2009)
Closing Time (John Labatt Centre, London, Ontario, May 24, 2009

Note that the O2 Arena performances on this release are from November 2008 and not the July 17, 2008 show that was documented on the Live From London CD & DVD.

Read more: http://www.vintagevinylnews.com/2010/07/preview-songs-from-road-leonard-cohen.html#ixzz0tp4xdsoA

NEWS: Possible Trailer for Re-Released Documentary Bird on a Wire

2010-07-13T19:22:00.000-07:00

This looks like it might be the trailer for the re-released and updated Tony Palmer documentary on Leonard, Bird on a Wire.

From the YouTube description:

Originally released in 1972 and directed by celebrated British filmmaker Tony Palmer, Bird on a Wire follows Cohen on his 1972 European tour and contains 17 classic performances, 4 poems and tour footage. After several edits it was relreleased in 1974. Like many films from the era it was thought that the original print had been lost, but in 2009 more than 290 rolls of film in rusted cans were discovered containing much of the original rushes and soundtrack of the 1972 film. Tony Palmer was able to restore much of this footage and it is now available on DVD for the first time. Also includes a limited edition reproduction of the iconic 1972 film poster and is in deluxe digipak packaging.

Track Listing
* Avalanche
* Suzanne
* Tonight Will Be Fine
* Passing Through
* Sisters of Mercy
* Who By Fire?
* Story of Isaac
* One Of Us Can't Be Wrong
* The Partisan
* Sisters of Mercy
* Chelsea Hotel
* Nancy
* Famous Blue Raincoat
* Hey, That's No Way To Say Goodbye
* So Long, Marianne
* Bird On A Wire

Bonus Materials
* Includes a reproduction of the iconic 1972 film poster.

Sales Points
* 2010 Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee
* The Leonard Cohen Live in London DVD, from his 2008 sold out tour, scanned over 39,000 units.
* For four decades, Leonard Cohen has been one of the most important and influential songwriters of our time.
* Release date (Sept 21st) coincides with Leonard Cohen's birthday!

NEeMA - Watching You Think - June 29

2010-06-25T18:32:00.000-07:00

Recently, I was contacted by the lovely Nadine NEeMA, who shared with me the cover for her upcoming CD, Watching You Think. The artwork for the CD is a portrait of NEeMA drawn by Leonard Cohen, so she immediately had my attention. NEeMA told me that her new CD, which will be released in Canada this Tuesday, June 29, was produced in association with Leonard and Pierre Marchand (Sarah McLachlan, Ron Sexsmith). Here is the cover art by Leonard:

I asked Nadine how she came to know Leonard and she shared this:

Leonard and I met on the street - we live near each other in Montreal and spent time at the same cafes and the park. We became friends over the years, and when I was writing songs for this new album I began sharing them with him. I learned so much about songwriting from him. I also would sit for him as he liked to draw me. The cover of the album is one of the portraits he did that also ended up in his exhibitions. I love it - there's something that really resembles me in it.

About her music, Leonard has said, "in the midst of all the static, a voice of true feeling arises - a rare event!" I agree. Listen to this beautiful song, "Unspoken," from NEeMA's CD, Watching You Think.

Unspoken

NEeMA has a Facebook page where you can preview the first single from the new CD, "Escape." NEeMA will also be on tour. Here is a list of her upcoming dates:

June 30 Toronto, ON - Supermarket Club
July 2 Toronto, ON - Hugh’s Room
July 3 Ottawa, ON - Ottawa Jazz Festival (NAC Fourth Stage)
July 4 Montreal, QC - Montreal Jazz Festival (MAC)
July 6 Winnipeg, MB - West End Cultural Centre
July 8 Calgary, AB - The Marquee Room
July 9 Edmonton, AB - Haven Social Club
July 12 Vancouver, BC - Media Club
July 14 Victoria, BC - St Ann's Academy
July 25 Guelph, ON - Hillside Festival
July 27 Toronto, ON - The Dakota Tavern
July 28 Ottawa, ON - Zaphod Beebelbrox
July 29 Montreal, QC - La Sala Rossa
second week of August - Maritimes...details coming soon!

You can get many more details about NEeMA and her work on her website. Her CD is available from Amazon.ca.

UPDATE: The Toronto Globe and Mail gave a wonderful review of NEeMA's CD saying:

A gifted wordsmith, this native Montrealer knows how to take songs about falling in love – No. 1 on the pop-cliché parade – and make them feel every bit as special as falling feels to young lovers.

Thanks to Nadine for sharing her beautiful music and story with us.

(The beautiful photo of NEeMA was taken by Lorca Cohen.)

NEWS: More on Songwriters Hall of Fame Ceremony

2010-06-23T12:35:00.000-07:00

ArtisanNewsService did a lovely youtube report focusing on Leonard Cohen's induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

For other reports on Leonard Cohen's induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, check out Heck Of A Guy's blog, the Leonard Cohen Halls of Fame website and the Youtube Leonard Cohen Induction Playlist.

NEWS: A few words from Leonard

2010-06-19T02:07:00.000-07:00

At last night's Songwriters Hall of Fame ceremony, Rolling Stone managed to get a few words from Leonard Cohen on his upcoming album, the success of his current tour, and his upcoming Cambodia concert.

Rolling Stone

Leonard Cohen Talks about First New Album of the Decade
By Patrick Doyle
Jun 18, 2010

Leonard Cohen has spent the last two years globetrotting through a marathon tour, but whenRolling Stone caught up with the poet last night in New York — where he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame — he revealed he's working on a new album, his first disc of fresh material since 2004's Dear Heather. "God willing it will be finished next spring," he said.

"I'm producing it," he said, wearing his typical dapper black suit and fedora. The 75-year-old added that the disc will contain "10 or 11 songs," mostly composed before he hit the road in May 2008 for the first time in 15 years. "One song was written on tour, the rest were written before," he said, noting that he wrote some tracks with longtime collaborator Sharon Robinson and with his longtime companion Anjani. What will it sound like? "Something good, I hope."

Check out photos of the all-star Songwriters Hall of Fame gaga.

Cohen said not much has changed on his playlist in recent years and rattled off a list of his favorite artists with long breathy pauses between names: "The same people — Tom Waits, Van Morrison, Bob Dylan, Judy Collins."

Last year, Cohen debuted one new song live, the slow, moonlit blues "Feels So Good." This summer, Cohen embarks another leg of his tour, and in November he'll play Cambodia's Olympic Stadium with proceeds going to chartiable groups like the Cambodian Red Cross. "That's a long story," he said. "But if we can help there I'm very happy to be able to do it." Cohen's tour grossed $21 million in 2009 and earned stellar reviews. "I don't examine these things too closely," he said about his success on the road. "Otherwise they may evaporate."

At the ceremony, Cohen made a brief-but-spellbinding speech, said he was "overwhelmed" and then recited a stanza from his staple "Hallelujah." After the ceremony, fellow icons Paul Simon and Billy Joel made an early exit, but Cohen hung around his table, posing for photos and accepting accolades. When a couple forced electric guitar pickguards in his face, Cohen calmly told them, "You know I don't like signing these," but then signed them anyway.

NEWS: Reports on Leonard's Induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame

2010-06-17T16:24:00.000-07:00

UPDATE: I've organized the articles and photos on my website here. I found many bigger and better photos which I included there.

UPDATE: We have a couple of general articles reporting on last night's ceremony. But first, the BBC has a video which includes a portion of Judy Collins' wonderful performance of Suzanne and a portion of Leonard Cohen's acceptance speech. Check it out at the BBC.

BBC News
17 February 2010
Songwriters Hall of Fame highlights
Leonard Cohen honoured in Songwriters Hall of Fame

Canadian singer Leonard Cohen will be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame this year, it has been announced.

Famous for such songs as Chelsea Hotel and Hallelujah, the 75-year-old will receive his accolade at a ceremony in New York on 17 June.

Earth, Wind and Fire members Maurice White, Philip Bailey and Verdine White will be honoured at the same event.

Established in 1969, the Songwriters Hall of Fame celebrates composers and lyricists and has over 300 inductees.

The body "honours those whose work represents a spectrum of the most beloved songs from the world's popular music songbook".

Contribution

Producer and composer David Foster also joins the honour roll this year, as do composer Johnny Mandel and singer-songwriter Jackie DeShannon.

Former Earth, Wind and Fire guitarist Al McKay and their ex-keyboardist Larry Dunn will also be recognised.

Cohen's latest honour follows the lifetime achievement award he received at the Grammys last month.

The veteran performer recently announced he was postponing a scheduled tour of Europe for six months because of a back injury.

Cohen has given almost 200 concerts around the world since he returned to touring in 2008 after more than a decade's absence.

Gibson Guitar
by Andrew Vaughan
06.18.2010

Leonard Cohen, Jackie DeShannon, David Foster Inducted Into Songwriters Hall of Fame

Leonard Cohen, Jackie DeShannon, David Foster, and Earth, Wind and Fire’s Maurice White, Philip Bailey, Verdine White, Larry Dunn and Al McKay have been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Posthumous inductees were Tom Adair and Matt Dennis, Bob Marley, Laura Nyro, Sunny Skylar and Jesse Stone.

Phil Collins received the prestigious Johnny Mercer Award in recognition of his success as a solo artist and as member of Genesis.

Collins said: “For a songwriter, it’s a huge honor. I was very surprised when I got the news.”

Nashville country music star Taylor Swift received the Hal David starlight award.

Phil Ramone was presented with the hitmakers award, which is given to songwriters who have written hit songs over a long period.

UPDATE: An article from the AP date June 18, 2010:

Swift among diverse honorees at Songwriters Hall
By NEKESA MUMBI MOODY (AP)

NEW YORK — The iconic ballad "Bridge Over Troubled Water" was so stirring that even a young Paul Simon knew he was onto something special when he composed it 40 years ago.

"I thought, 'Hmm. That's better than I usually write,'" Simon recalled. "I was completely surprised that I wrote it — it was completely unlike anything I had ever done before."

On Thursday, Simon's magical moment — one of several in his long career — was honored by the Songwriters Hall of Fame in a ceremony that featured Billy Joel, John Mayer, Judy Collins and more while honoring legends including Leonard Cohen as well as wunderkind Taylor Swift.

Swift was not among the inductees into the Songwriters Hall. But the 20-year-old Grammy winner was given the Hal David Starlight Award, which pays tribute to young songwriters with promise.

Mayer, a Swift friend and collaborator, presented her with her award, saying "she's no accident."

"You could put her in a time machine in any era and she would have a hit record," he said, adding this about her incredible success: "Don't confuse everybody loving one thing as hype. Sometimes that's everyone agreeing that it's fabulous."

When Cohen was young, he needed a little convincing of that. So the Canadian poet-turned-songwriter presented one of his works to Collins, the singer recalled, and asked her if it was a song. Her response? "It's a song, and I'm recording it tomorrow."

At the induction ceremony, she performed a pitch-perfect "Suzanne" and was then followed by k.d. lang's moving version of Cohen's "Hallelujah."

A soft-spoken Cohen quoted from his enduring song when he accepted his honor, saying, in part, "I'll stand before the lord of song with nothing on my tongue but hallelujah." He received a standing ovation.

It was one of several on the night, which featured powerful performances and touching tributes.

The other inductees were Jackie DeShannon, whose hits include Kim Carnes' "Bette Davis Eyes"; reggae great Bob Marley; the late singer-songwriter Laura Nyro; Johnny Mandel, creator of the theme for "M.A.S.H."; David Foster, the Grammy-winning producer and songwriter who's worked with top artists ranging from Michael Jackson to Barbra Streisand; the principal members of the legendary band Earth, Wind & Fire; the late jazz songwriter Jesse Stone; the late Sunny Skylar, whose hits included "Besame Mucho"; and the team of Tom Adair & Matt Dennis, now deceased, who wrote songs such as "Everything Happens to Me."

"Bridge Over Troubled Water" was given the Towering Song Award, while Phil Collins, a previous inductee, was honored with the Johnny Mercer Award.

Producer Phil Ramone received the Howie Richmond Hitmaker Award, and music publisher Keith Mardak received the Abe Olman Publisher Award.

UPDATE: Photos from Getty Images and one from the AP with k.d. Lang and Collins:

UPDATE: Photo from WABC and Leonard with Judy Collins and k.d. lang from Getty Images:

UPDATE: Leonard with Judy Collins from Getty Images and one from the AP with k.d. Lang and Collins:

UPDATE: First news article about Songwriters Hall of Fame event from USA Today. Photo from AP.

Tunesmiths celebrate their craft

Starry, starry night: The honorees at this year's Songwriters Hall of Fame Awards Gala Thursday night at the New York Marriott Marquis Hotel included noted tunesmiths/performers ranging from veterans Paul Simon, Leonard Cohen, Phil Collins, David Foster and Earth Wind & Fire to 20-year-old Taylor Swift.

Inspired: On the red carpet, Judy Collins recalled that she wasn't yet writing songs when she met inductee Cohen (elegant in black tie and a fedora), "and he asked me why. I started writing as a result. So he's not just someone whose work I've admired and recorded for years, but an inspiration to me as a songwriter."

What's luck got to do with it? Producer Phil Ramone figures "I've been lucky — like a director who gets great scripts." Billy Joel begged to differ, calling Ramone "a great craftsman who's been integral to my career. Someone who really knows what he's doing."

Multitasking: Inductee David Foster enthused about the work, noting "when I go to the doctor's office and they ask me to fill in my occupation, I don't put record executive or producer — I put songwriter. Being a songwriter comes first."

Excused absence: Who went missing from inductees Earth Wind & Fire? Maurice White— because his son was graduating from high school.

Phil Collins' writing advice: "Always try to do something different. You can't be afraid to fail."

Hit man: Sometime Chicago frontman Peter Cetera helped induct another prolific Canadian, Foster, with a medley of Hard to Say I'm Sorry, You're the Inspiration and Glory of Love. Charice, a petite teen with 10-octave talent, applied her pipes to one of Foster's many contributions to diva-dom, Whitney Houston's I Have Nothing.

With love in their hearts: Inducting singer/songwriter Jackie DeShannon, Kim Carnes revisited her old smash single Bette Davis Eyes; DeShannon dipped further back with Put A Little Love in Your Heart.

He's their man: Before inducting Cohen, Collins re-created her sparkling version of Suzanne, accompanying herself on piano, while k.d. lang paid homage to her fellow Canadian with a rapturous reading of Hallelujah (of which Cohen himself offered a soft spoken-word performance). All got standing ovations.

She's got a way about her: Presenting Swift with the Hal David starlight award, John Mayer praised her as "not a product of the hype machine" but rather of "everyone agreeing that something is fabulous. I've never in my life seen a more fearless creator." With acoustic guitar in hand, Swift sang White Horse and described what she loved about songwriting: "For me, songwriting is an escape from reality, where you have to say exactly the right thing at exactly the right time."

UPDATE: Leonard with k.d. lang and Judy Collins from Getty Images:

UPDATE: Leonard with his award from Getty Images:

UPDATE: Photo from Associated Press:

UPDATE: Another photo from Getty Images. Leonard with Neil Portnow, David Foster, Linda Moran and Taylor Swift:

UPDATE: More photos from Getty Images. Leonard with Scott Greenstein (SIRIUS):

UPDATE: More photos from Getty Images. Leonard with Neil Portnow (President of Recording Academy) and Johnny Mandel, Taylor Swift and David Foster:

UPDATE: More photos from Getty Images. Leonard with David Foster, Taylor Swift and Judy Collins:

UPDATE: More photos from Getty Images. Leonard with Taylor Swift, Judy Collins and Martin Bandier:

Here are the first photos I've been able to find on the induction of Leonard Cohen into the Songwriters Hall of Fame today, June 17, 2010. Will update this entry as more info comes in.

These photos are from Getty Images:

NEWS: Tour Date - November 27, 2010

2010-06-16T12:33:00.000-07:00

A new concert date has been announced for Leonard Cohen's 2010 World Tour -- Phnom Penh, Cambodia on November 27, 2010. Below is the press release.

LEONARD COHEN TO PLAY PHNOM PENH ON NOV. 27, 2010
A LEGENDARY ARTIST – A LEGENDARY CITY

(For Immediate Release – June 17, 2010) – To celebrate and contribute to the restoration of the majestic city of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Leonard Cohen will perform at the Olympic Stadium on November 27, 2010. To aid victims of Cambodia’s recent tragic past, proceeds from this concert will benefit the Cambodian Red Cross and Cambodian persons with a disability. Tickets available online on July 15, 2010.

Leonard Cohen’s November 27th concert will be held under the patronage of His Excellency Samdech Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia and Lok Chumtuev Bun Rany Hun Sen, President of the Cambodian Red Cross. The performance is produced by The Mekong Sessions in conjunction with Robert Kory Management and AEG Live and is exclusive to the South-East Asian region.

Cohen’s legendary artistry and his performance, referred to by many as a “spiritual experience,” at the architecturally significant Stadium in one of the world’s most intriguing and reemerging cities is intended to be more than just a unique evening of music. As an ordained Buddhist monk, Cohen is known for his affinity for the culture and his commitments to assist those who have suffered from conflict.

“Leonard is deeply honored by this invitation, and we hope that in our small way, we can both assist in cultural restoration and personal healing,” said Robert Kory, Manager to Leonard Cohen. “The world is aware that Phnom Penh, once a cultural Mecca, and its people, suffered a brutal genocide thirty five years ago which ended lives and altered that magnificent city. We are hopeful that the concert may become a first step in celebration of the city’s rebirth as a vibrant cultural centre and serve to aid those who have suffered.”

“This is a landmark event for AEG Live as well as a significant international milestone where Phnom Penh announces its objective to become a premiere performance destination,” said Rob Hallett, President, AEG Live.

Chris Minko, Founder of the Mekong Sessions Concert Series stated, “We wish to convey our gratitude to Mr. Cohen for this epic event that demonstrates that Cambodia has emerged from tragic civil conflict and its tradition of cultural excellence is reborn.”

Phnom Penh’s Olympic Stadium is a rare example of the work of famous Khmer architect Vann Molyvan, whose designs are the current subject of international interest. His distinctive designs combine High Modernism with elements of classical Khmer design and are a reminder of the days of Phnom Penh’s former cultural stature.

ABOUT LEONARD COHEN: Leonard Cohen is a master songwriter, musician and poet whose stunning body of original work has touched the lives of millions with a career spanning five decades. He was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame (2006) and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2008) for outstanding work. Cohen’s world tour, which inaugurated in May 2008, is still playing to sold-out crowds.

MEDIA CONTACT:
For Leonard Cohen:
Sunshine, Sachs & Associates
Ken Sunshine / Tiffany Shipp
212-691-2800 / shipp@sunshinesachs.com
For AEG Live:
Rob Hallett: rob@aeglive.co.uk
For Mekong Sessions Concerts Series:
Christopher Minko
cminko@themekongsessions.com
www.themekongsessions.com
855-(0)12-932642

http://www.themekongsessions.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5&Itemid=5

NEWS: Tour Date - October 12

2010-06-09T13:24:00.000-07:00

Another date has been added to Leonard Cohen's concert tour this year:

SLOVENIA, Ljubljana
Arena Stozice
October 12, 2010

Check out The Leonard Cohen Forum for ticket details.

NEWS: Tour Dates - October & November

2010-05-25T20:54:00.000-07:00

LEONARD COHEN
RETURNS TO AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND

Early last year audiences across Australia and New Zealand were privileged to experience the incomparable live talents of Leonard Cohen. Rapturous reviews followed, with many critics calling the shows the best they have ever seen. The tour went on to win the Helpmann Award for the Best International Concert in 2009. Those lucky enough to be in attendance at the concerts described them in glowing and effusive terms, earning the envy of those who had missed out on what many speculated would be the last opportunity to see Leonard Cohen on our shores.

Accordingly it is with no small amount of pleasure that The Frontier Touring Company announce that Leonard Cohen has agreed to return - with his amazing nine piece band and backing singers - to Australia and New Zealand for an encore series of concerts in October and November 2010.

Those unfortunate enough to have missed out on Leonard’s last tour will now have the opportunity to experience firsthand the phenomenal live performance that had reviewers in raptures.

“Wild applause, standing ovations and tears of joy greeted his songs.” Sunday Herald Sun, Melbourne

“the best show I have ever seen.” Dominion Post, Wellington

“one of those concerts where words can’t do it justice. But if you want a one-word review, try magical.” Courier Mail, Brisbane

“three hours of musical heaven.” Time Off, Brisbane

“For the diehards, it was a religious experience. For those who discovered Leonard Cohen second-hand through his famous fans…it was an eye-opener.” Herald Sun, Melbourne

“Floating on air after night of pure magic” Sydney Morning Herald

“a simply sublime experience.” Gold Coast Bulletin

“the most moving and memorable performance I have ever seen.” Drum Media, Perth

“a show to die for” Sunday Mail, Adelaide

“an artist of impeccable class.” The Australian

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to see Leonard Cohen live in concert this October/November 2010. Tickets on sale from Thursday 3 June.

Pre-sale tickets available via frontiertouring.com from noon AEST Monday 31 May.

LEONARD COHEN – AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND 2010

Friday 29 October Auckland – Vector Arena
Ticketmaster 09 970 9700 or www.ticketmaster.co.nz

Sunday 31 October Wellington – TSB Arena
Ticketek 0800 842 538 or www.ticketek.co.nz

Wednesday 3 November Christchurch – Westpac Arena
Ticketek 0800 842 538 or www.ticketek.co.nz

Saturday 6 November Brisbane – Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Ticketek 132 849 or www.ticketek.com.au

Monday 8 November Sydney – Acer Arena
Ticketek 132 849 or www.ticketek.com.au

Friday 12 November Melbourne – Rod Laver Arena
Ticketek 132 849 or www.ticketek.com.au

Monday 15 November Hobart – Derwent Entertainment Centre
Ticketmaster 136 100 or www.ticketmaster.com.au

Thursday 18 November Adelaide – Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Ticketek 132 849 or www.ticketek.com.au

Wednesday 24 November Perth – ME Bank Stadium
Ticketmaster 136 100 or www.ticketmaster.com.au