Give “Boogie Street” A Chance
OK, I know “Boogie Street,” a Sharon Robinson – Leonard Cohen collaboration, is often listed by Cohen fans in the – well, let’s call it “less beloved” category.1
I urge you, however, to watch this albertnoonan video of Sharon Robinson performing a luscious arrangement of “Boogie Street” at the Lisbon concert. If you don’t enjoy this, you can rest assured that you just don’t like the song and can time your trip to the concession stand or the rest room to coincide with it during the next concert you attend.
But I warn you, you may find yourself getting off on “Boogie Street.”
Lisbon 2009, Boogie Street, Sharon Robinson / Leonard Cohen
- I confess that 9 times out of 10, I would opt for “Boogie Shoes,” the 1975 KC and the Sunshine Band hit, over “Boogie Street.” [↩]
I’ll comment. This is a simply wonderful performance by Sharon Robinson – with wistful saxophone commentary and support by Dino Soldo. And such a good song! The video by albertnoonan is terrific. Albert also posted a video of the July 11th performance from Weybridge – that I also love. In that video are glimpses of Leonard Cohen – including joining in backup vocals. At the end Leonard’s comment is “Ah, beautiful.” And it sure is. Here is that link -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rc5TzguKogM
As for “getting off” on Boogie Street – yes – I do. Ha! I attended the show in Philadelphia and I was totally mesmerized when Sharon started singing.
Thanks!
I have always liked Boogie Street, from the first listen on Ten New Songs. Loved it when Leonard was singing it with Sharon earlier in the tour, but I think her singing it alone is just magnificent. Funny story: When I took my car to Oil Changers I had been playing Boogie Street, loudly, before turning off the car and leaving it for service. When I picked it up a while later, the kid who had parked my car asked me “what’s that music in your car? that s*it’s THE BEAT.” I think I laughed the rest of the day. Now whenever I listen to it I have that approbation running through my head. Another thing that gives this song a special place in my heart- my daughter misheard one of the lines “the rivers and the waterfall wherein I bathed with you” – she thought it was “the rivers and the waterfall, we’re in our bathing suits.”