Leonard Cohen: Live in London

Well, if you've appreciated the songwriting over the years of Leonard Cohen, or liked his raspy voice, then this is the concert DVD for you. Cohen and his terrific band perform many songs for over two hours, everything from the early "Suzanne" to his latest favorites. His writing and singing span 40 years and they are unique, that's for sure.

Having never seen him, I was pleasantly surprised to discover he's a warm, funny guy. You see a love affair between he, his band, and the audience right from the start and it just grows during the concert. Cohen, as he repeats a number of times, truly appreciates and acknowledges those musicians and singers who work with him and those fans who support him. This is a talented band, too!

Cohen is a grateful man, which is probably one reason he has a smile on his face between almost every song. He seems to know that he's among the few still giving concerts at his age. Because of that, I very much thought this was a feel-good type of concert and one in which the audience and us, the viewer, certainly get our money's worth (if you bought the DVD.

About forty years of songwriting are represented here, from the earliest efforts of the mid-60's to the late songs of the early 2000's. Leonard was dragged out of retirement by the theft of his savings by his former manager, and we can appreciate the energy that he puts into this London performance of 2008. There's one great song after another: Dance Me To the End of Love, Bird On the Wire, Tower Of Song and so many more. The Webb Sisters and Sharon Robinson give fine support to the vocals--and we must admit that at 74 Leonard hadn't much voice left. The only flaw in this wonderful concert are the introductions of the musicians, repeated several times in case we missed it the first time.