Leonard Cohen In Pre-Skipping Windup
Leonard, Are We Having Fun Yet?
Leonard Cohen’s performance of “Closing Time” in Venice is outstanding. He is confident and in full control, he sings well, and – most significantly – he looks like he’s having fun.
Ongoing readers may recall my recent description of Leonard Cohen In Belfast … Possible Best Skipping Of Tour:
First, note how, at 5:50, Cohen pauses to make the transition from prayerfully saluting the audience to preparing himself for the floor exercise.
He strikes the classic starting position with his left arm held across his midsection for balance and then simultaneously lifts his right arm above his head and his right knee to waist height for power. After holding that posture for an instant, he kicks down, attaining excellent velocity and elevation on his initial thrust, all the while maintaining near-perfect form.
Well, Cohen’s skipping in Belfast was, as noted, excellent, but his skipping in Venice appears to have earned both style and power points that exceed the Belfast effort.
His wind-up, shown in the screenshot atop this post, is awesome, and the entire skipping sequence (at the end of this video) is impressive.
And, at the very end of the video, watch Roscoe Beck’s demonstration of fancy hat twirling.1
Leonard Cohen – Closing Time – Venice 2009
_____________________- Special thanks to sturgess66, who pointed out Beck’s chapeau spinning.↩
The blow-by-blow account of Leonard’s skipping only goes to show that one’s life might have little meaning. As much as I adore Leonard Cohen, I doubt that I have any desire whatsoever to analyse his skipping, thus reducing his true soul of work to mediocrity. Let’s not forget the real talent here and remember that it took him nearly all of his lifetime to find this happiness in its purest form. Over the course of his journey, he has generously shared his pain and his talent so that we knew we were not alone in our solitude, and relative pain. His reward was in having his money stolen from him so that he was forced to work this grueling concert schedule to fulfill all of his obligations. He is a philanthropist and a great humanitarian, and we would do well to remember that. He blesses those fortunate enough to go to his concerts, and there he gives so generously of himself. He has been touring forever with his dedicated and talented backup and musicians, he has to be totally wiped out. He appears to be extremely thin. So while he blesses us, we might pray for him.
Naomi, if you compare the energy and strength that Leonard shows here with video of Closing Time from the beginning of his tour in May 2008, you will be amazed at the difference. I think that for many of us who honor him his skipping is wonderful evidence of exactly what you’re talking about. It’s not only evidence that he is having a wonderful time, but he shows us what is possible in our own lives.
I have to admit you have agood point Sue. I do worry about the grueling schedule. I am sure that he is on his final tour, and wanting to give his best to all. That isindeed the essential Cohen. I sadly regret that I do not have the means to see this great man in reality. I certainly woud love to be in the prescence of such a wondeful and soulfoul human being. Thank God for these websites and vids or I think iwould be totally depressed about missing his concerts.
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I doubt than any other 20/21st century performer can be outdone. Iam gladhe is at peace, becuase his songs free me from a lot of pain that was placed upon me by others…he lifted it many times over. Cohen has been there, and I am sure he lifts all of us up to great degree… Thanks Sue!
Lenny, can we Dance all Night???
Thanks for a first class schedule via youtube and numerous sites devoted to you…