Watching Leonard Cohen’s 1989 Austin City Limits episode before his second show at the Long Center last night, it’s amazing the difference two decades makes. On the studio stage, Cohen is sweating, his voice strong but slightly slurred, no doubt from the tequila he mentions drinking. It’s a hit or miss hour from Cohen in his more “experimental” period after 1988’s I’m Your Man.
The hints of synthy, New Age schmaltz were gone for the most part Wednesday and Thursday. The impeccably-suited, graceful, and surprisingly limber 74-year-old skipped onstage both nights and delivered two three-hour tours of his oeuvre, including “Famous Blue Raincoat,” “So Long, Marianne,” and “Tower of Song.” The crowd was reverent, tearful, grateful. I’d liken the shows to a religious ceremony, but Cohen might take exception.
Check out next week’s paper for a full review by yours truly.
This article appears in April 3 • 2009.