New & Improved: The Leonard Cohen Commemorative Concert Curfew Clock

Leonard Cohen deals with concert curfew – Amsterdam, 8/21/2012

The Moment

Anyone who has followed the 2012 Leonard Cohen Old Ideas World Tour will be aware of the Amsterdam Concert Curfew Kerfuffle Shuffle, the episodes at the end of the August 21 and 22, 2012 Leonard Cohen shows in that city when the Canadian singer-songwriter picked up what appears to be the Kincaid 10″ Black Always Set (TM) wall clock with black dial (Model JC804P ), which, according to Tour guitar technician Leif Bodnarchuk,¹ “he always has in front of him, on the carpet, leaning against one of his monitors,” and proceeded to romp about the stage, employing the timepiece as a prop to emphasize the need to adhere to the impending curfew – and to also enjoy the last moments of the time left.

The Memento Mori

As discussed at greater length in Leonard Cohen & Friends Stay Out Past Curfew In Euphoric Act Of Memento Mori,

… , for two nights in Amsterdam, Leonard Cohen both flouted and submitted to a municipal ordnance to cease activity at a specific, assigned time. His burlesque act with the clock was, indeed, based on his acceptance of and obedience to civil authority while simultaneously, insistently enjoying the process.

… My contention is that the 2012 Leonard Cohen Old Ideas World Tour is the same phenomenon writ large. Leonard Cohen is aggressively taking charge of his life – or at least those elements of his life that are under his control – and playing it to the hilt. Parading about the stage with a clock cradled in his arms, reviving a sentimental jukebox hit from the 1960s, playing four hour concerts in Ghent, creating a comic routine based on choosing a blossomless rose as his romantic prop (more about this later), and his downright enthusiastic interactions with serendipitously-met fans are all part of the same pattern – call it an especially ebullient gathering of rosebuds while he may.

The Merchandise

Now, you can recall and honor Leonard Cohen’s exultant, heroic acts of memento mori very moment of the day with the Heck Of A Guy New & Improved Leonard Cohen Merchandise Agency’s Leonard Cohen Commemorative Concert Curfew Clock.