The September 10, 2010 Lisbon concert proved to be an extraordinarily impressive demonstration of musical skills and showmanship, a phenomenon asdeguia, a correspondent who was in attendance at that show, convincingly attributes to the intense complicity between the band and the audience.
Leonard Cohen – Bird On A Wire (Lisbon 9/10/2010)
As evidence of the quality of the performances, Heck Of A Guy offers the video of “Bird On A Wire,” perhaps the song from the Leonard Cohen World Tour repertoire most sensitive to musicological nuances (for example, timing, tone, phrasing, …) and least forgiving of flaws.
The presentation of “Bird On A Wire” at Lisbon is a lapidary masterpiece.
Getting To Ghent
The 2012 Leonard Cohen Tour Kickoff Pre-Concert Show
As part of its pre-concert coverage of today’s Ghent show that opens the 2012 Leonard Cohen Old Ideas World Tour, Heck Of A Guy offers a video featuring “Closing Time” from the December 11, 2010 Las Vegas show that ended the 2008-2010 Leonard Cohen World Tour.
That is the last concert performance by the Canadian singer-songwriter – until he takes the stage later today in Ghent.
Credit Due Department: The opening music of the video is from zenon5ish’s video recording of “Passing Through” being sung by audience members at the intermission of the final concert. The “Closing Time” music and video sequence is from albertnoonan’s recording of that song’s performance at the final show. While the sources of the images are too numerous to mention, it would be remiss not to mention that the majority of these photos were shot and shared by Maarten Massa. The photo of the Caesar’s Palace sign The photo was taken by Arlene Dick of of Arlene’s Leonard Cohen Scrapbook. The photo of St Peter’s Square in Ghent is from Greenhouse Talent.
St Peter’s Preps For Patron Saint Of Life’s Beautiful Losers
OK, given the demographics of those good folks who visit this site and my decision in 2009 not to to run a post called “Christmas Falls On December 25 This Year,” “2012 Leonard Cohen Tour Begins In 3 Days” certainly merits the title of Most Superfluous Heck Of A Guy Headline.
Cohen fans, on the other hand, are likely to be interested in the work being done at St Peter’s Square in Gent to ready it for the Cohen concerts to be held there on August 12, 14, 15, 17, & 18.
From the Aug 8, 2012 edition of Nieuwsblad [Google English translation]:
Stage Builders are Wednesday at St. Peter’s Square started the construction for the concert of Leonard Cohen. The Canadian singer-songwriter there on Sunday kicked off his world tour with a sold out concert. The stage is, as in 2010, with its back to St. Peter. But unlike last time, there will now be only one entrance, along the Rue Saint-Amand.
Note: Photo #4, the one with the Lady Gaga label on the staging material, is indeed a shot from this article about constructing the stage for the Cohen concerts. I am chagrined to admit that I did not realize Leonard had arranged for an opening act.
click on thumbnails to enlarge
100,000 Tickets Sold To Cohen Concerts In Belgian Since 2008
Leonard Cohen at Gent – 2010
According to Media-Corner [Google English translation],
Since 2008, Cohen sold 100,000 concert tickets in Belgium, an impressive figure in our small country. Between 2008 and 2010 he spent on his audience following locations: Minnewaterpark, Forest National (2x), Sports Palace and St. Peter’s Square (3x). During the premiere week of his new tour, a record number Leonard (vijf!) concerts unique location on the same play. The local sales of his most recent album ‘Old Ideas’ – 30,000 copies sold already-in times of declining record sales spectacular. Who the man the last few years saw the work, would time and again to his. Entire families, sometimes three-generation-the last four years had themselves moved by the honesty and poetry of the singer and his song.
The same source continues with the obligatory nationalism (aka “Leonard Likes Us Best” Geopolitical Syndrome):
It may be no coincidence that Ghent Cohen chose to open his world tour. He must undoubtedly the hospitality of the city and the enthusiasm of the Belgian public account.
Belgium will, of course, have to contend with similar claims of being Cohen’s constituency of choice from other countries (e.g., Canada, Ireland, Spain, Norway, France, …), municipalities (e.g., Fredericton, Dublin, New York, Montreal, Toronto, Lisbon, Barcelona, …), and cyber-linked communities (e.g., LeonardCohenForum and various Facebook groups).
Best Of 2008-2010 Leonard Cohen World Tour: In My Secret Life – Gent 2010
What better way to get ready for this year’s show than by watching an outstanding performance from the last time Leonard Cohen took Gent?
Leonard Cohen – In My Secret Life (Gent – 8/21/2010)
Sylvie Simmons & Heidi Clare perform “The Ballad Of Len”
The Ballad Of Len
The latest in the long line of musical tributes to Leonard Cohen, a group that includes songs by such luminaries as Peter Gabriel, Billy Joel, Willie Nelson, Elton John, Sting, Pixies, Nick Cave, R.E.M., and many, many others, is now online.
“The Ballad Of Len,” featuring lyrics by DrHGuy and set to music not unlike that of the theme from The Beverly Hillbillies, was performed August 4, 2012 by Sylvie Simmons, the renowned music journalist whose Leonard Cohen biography, “I’m Your Man,” is due to hit the bookstores, both virtual and brick and mortar, this fall, and Heidi Clare, widely acknowledged as the best, most powerful old-time fiddler performing today, at the Madison Leonard Cohen Event held in Madison, Wisconsin.
No, I have no idea what Ms Simmons and Ms Clare were thinking – or smoking – when they agreed to this.
But, if you’ve always craved hearing a parody of “The Ballad Of Jed Clampett” commemorating the 2008-2010 Leonard Cohen World Tour sung in a British accent accompanied by ukelele and exquisite fiddling well, friend, this is your big chance.
Sylvie Simmons & Heidi Clare – The Ballad Of Len
Video by Maarten Massa
Ballad Of Len – Lyrics
Come and listen to a story ’bout a man named Len Up on Mount Baldy he was contemplatin’ Zen1 Then one day checking his retirement stash, He found out that he was plumb out of cash2 (Swindled that is, cleaned out, busted)
Well, Our Man’s3 future was looking insecure Rob Hallett4 said “Len, you’ve gotta go on tour,” Said on the road is the place you oughta be So he bought a fedora and signed with AEG5 (Worldwide that is, Europe, North America, Down Under)
In Vegas three years later the tour was finally done8 When Leonard told the crowd, “God bless us every one” Now Cohenites9 are happy from Manhattan to Berlin10 Leonard’s going back on tour11 – here we go again (Presales, VIP packages, Y’all buy that I’m Your Man biography now, ya hear?)
_____________________
Leonard Cohen resided at the Mount Baldy Zen Center near Los Angeles from 1994 – 1999. During his stay, Cohen was ordained as a Rinzai Zen Buddhist monk, taking the Dharma name Jikan. For more information, see 10 Years Ago – Leonard Cohen Comes Down From The Mountain [↩]
Cohen sued his former manager for stealing $5m from his retirement fund while he was at the Zen Buddhist monastery. [↩]
The Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) is a sporting and music entertainment presenter and managed Leonard Cohen’s 2008-2010 Tour [↩]
Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada, was the site of Leonard Cohen’s first concert of the 2008-2010 Tour, performed on 11 May 2008. [↩]
A recurrent schtick in Leonard Cohen’s 2008-2010 concert routine was noting that when he last performed at a given venue when he was 60 years old, “just a kid with a crazy dream. [↩]
The 11 Dec 2010 Leonard Cohen Las Vegas show closed out the 2008-2010 Leonard Cohen World Tour [↩]
Cohenites is the preferred term for Cohen followers [↩]
Sharon Robinson and Leonard Cohen – Born In Chains
The Best Of The 2008-2010 Leonard Cohen World Tour
Leonard Cohen last performed in concert in December 2010; now, only ten days remain until the 2012 Leonard Cohen Old Ideas World Tour begins. It’s time to enjoy another of the best performances of the 2008-2010 Leonard Cohen World Tour.
Born In Chains – The 2010 Las Vegas Rendition
“Born In Chains” was first performed in concert by Leonard Cohen at the July 27, 2010 Salzburg, Austria show and immediately captured a wide following among Cohen fans. It underwent many changes in its lyrics and its arrangement through the final months of the Tour. 1
The version performed on Dec 11, 2010 in Las Vegas (the last time, of course, the song was performed for the public) is notable for the prominent role played by Sharon Robinson.
Leonard Cohen – Born In Chains
Las Vegas – Dec 11, 2010
Credit Due Department: The photo of Leonard Cohen waving his hat to the audience is from Notes From The Road. The photo of Sharon Robinson and Leonard Cohen is a screen capture from the featured video.
The Best Of The 2008-2010 Leonard Cohen World Tour
Leonard Cohen last performed in concert in December 2010. Now, with only eleven days until the 2012 Leonard Cohen Old Ideas World Tour begins, it’s the perfect time to savor another of the best performances of the 2008-2010 Leonard Cohen World Tour.
Leonard Cohen USA Concert Highlights Video
This announcement ran on January 7, 2010
Heck Of A Guy proudly announces the release today of
Thanks, Leonard Cohen, For Coming To The USA
A video offered in appreciation of
Leonard Cohen’s Fall 2009 US Tour
and in celebration of the
2008-2009 Leonard Cohen World Tour,
a labor born of catastrophe and betrayal
that became a triumph of music and spirit
Taking A Look At The Leonard Cohen Fall 2009 USA Tour
Thanks, Leonard Cohen, For Coming To The USA is a ten minute video with photo and YouTube highlights focusing on the Fall 2009 Leonard Cohen concert series that began in Fort Lauderdale and concluded in San Jose, California. Additional scenes track back to the beginning of the Tour and Cohen’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame and extends to the 2010 iteration of the Tour and beyond.
The soundtrack includes segments from “First We Take Manhattan” and “Closing Time” bracketing “Democracy Is Coming To The USA,” the final song at the final concert of the USA Tour.
Thanks, Leonard Cohen, For Coming To The USA Video
January 6, 2012
The events of Leonard Cohen's life and career are marked on a timeline accompanied by audio and video recordings of Cohen's songs and poems as well as links to more information.
Do I Have To Dance All Night Surpasses 70,000 Views
"Do I Have To Dance All Night" was performed many times in concerts but was never released in the US.
As part of my crusade to popularize this song, I've cobbled together 2 videos - one for the semi-funky 1976 version with Laura Branigan and one for the 1980 more gypsy, less disco version - that kinda sorta fit the music.
As of Dec 19, 2012, the video of the 1976 version of Do I Have To Dance All Night has been viewed 70,152 times.
Heck Of A Guy offers 3 videos of clips and photos from The Leonard Cohen World Tour:
1. The Original Heck Of A Guy Dear Leonard Cohen - Thanks For The Tour. I Hope It Was Good For You, Too. Video Celebration Of The First 14 Months Of The 2008-2009 World Tour can be viewed at Thanks For The Tour
The Cohen Fandemic
Endemic for decades in areas such as Canada, Norway, Poland, and France, Leonard Cohen Fan Syndrome has become a world-wide epidemic in the past 2 years, spread by the Leonard Cohen World Tour and abetted by proselyting carriers despite efforts by authorities to quarantine these individuals at LeonardCohenForum.
Diagnostic Criteria
Based on the observations of DrHGuy, standardized criteria for the pertinent Axis II diagnosis are now available at
Danger Signs
In addition to the formal medical description of this diagnosis, Heck Of A Guy has also compiled a list of the aberrant behaviors which indicate one is at high risk for being a full-fledged fan of Leonard Cohen. These signs and symptoms can be found at
Leonard Cohen’s Elegy For Janis Joplin – Chelsea Hotel #1
This video features the first version of the song Leonard Cohen would later revise into "Chelsea Hotel #2" along with images of Leonard Cohen, Janis Joplin - whose liaison with Cohen at the Chelsea Hotel led to the creation of the song, the Hotel itself, and other associated people & places.
Special Compilation Video – A Thousand Kisses Deep
This composite of Leonard Cohen’s recitations of “A Thousand Kisses Deep” over the years is accompanied by a video montage of drawings by and photos of the Canadian singer-songwriter.
Video – Leonard Cohen Recites “God Is Alive, Magic Is Afoot”
Leonard Cohen recites the "God Is Alive; Magic Is Afoot" passage from "Beautiful Losers" which was later popularized by Buffy Sainte-Marie. Cohen's performance took place in 1967.
Heck Of A Guy offers, with assistance from Randy Newman and Etta James, the writer and performer, respectively, of "You Can Leave Your Hat On," a look at Leonard Cohen As Hunk.
Photos of or related to Leonard Cohen that fall into specific themes have been among the ongoing features at DrHGuy, HOAG's sibling site. Galleries displaying collected images of 3 of these themes are now available at
Winter Lady – The Joni Mitchell & Leonard Cohen Versions
In 1966 Joni Mitchell wrote and sang a song called "Winter Lady." In 1967, the year Mitchell and Cohen had their romantic fling, Leonard Cohen wrote and sang a different song that was also called "Winter Lady."
A comparison of these 2 songs as well as a video that includes each artist performing his or her version of "Winter Lady" can be found at
Over 35 tunes performed by Dylan, Janis Joplin, Ray Charles, Elvis Presley, Patsy Cline, Otis Redding, Chuck Berry, The Platters, Joni Mitchell, George Jones, Roy Orbison, Elvis Presley, Jay-Z, and other musicians.
Read what Cohen said about them and listen to the music at
Photos, Videos, & More
See photos of Leonard Cohen's arrival in Oviedo, the opening of Leonard Cohen: The B-Side - Drawings And Engravings Of A Multidisciplinary Artist, his speech and press conference, his tribute conference, the lost and found Famous Blue Sharpie, and more at:
Note: Almost all HeckOfAGuy and DrHGuy posts contain different content.
And We’re Still Making Love In My Secret Life – Julie’s Story & Video
... I never had a chance. I was - and this is the only word that fits - smitten. I still am.
She was smart and quick-witted, although it would take me 3 years to recognize that she was, in fact, much smarter than me, and then another 2 years to forgive her for that. She was also good-looking and unabashedly sexy.
And, we fell madly, irredeemably, unflinchingly in love.
Complementing the unlikely story of how Julie and I met, fell in love, and - 9 years, 2 husbands, 1 wife, and 2 careers later - got together to spend an outrageously wonderful 20 years together before her death, a video, set to the poignant "In My Secret Life" by Leonard Cohen and Sharon Robinson, is now available that evokes the role Julie, who died 10 years ago, continues to play in my life.
The written account of the story (think When Harry Met Sally meets Waiting For Godot) starts, appropriately, at This Is How A Love Story Began
Clicking on Taste of LC - Heck Of A Guy and Taste of LC - DrHGuy finds posts from those sites that feature Leonard Cohen's choices in furniture, clothing (including suits, fedoras, caps, berets, other hats, boots and other footwear, swimsuits, and in at least one case cut-offs), art, jewelry, food, books, magazines, alcohol, tobacco, firearms, ... - all of which offer a different perspective on Leonard Cohen.
This Heck Of A Guy compilation includes unreleased Leonard Cohen performances over a 30+ year period.
Track List: Vol 1
1. Feels So Good (The Other Blues Song)
2. Book Of Longing
3. The Darkness
4. Puppets
5. Lullaby
6. Do I Have to Dance All Night (1976)
7. Blues By The Jews
Track List: Vol 2
1. Red River Valley
2. Never Got To Love You (Duet with Anjani)
3. Can't Help Falling In Love
4. Ride Around
5. The Union Makes Us Strong
6. We Shall Not Be Moved
7. To Love Somebody
8. The Hypnotist (Poem)
9. Chelsea Hotel #1
10. There's No Reason Why You Should Remember Me
11. Streets Of Laredo
12. Do I Have To Dance All Night (1980)
Now, Another Other Leonard Cohen Album, the second collection of unreleased Leonard Cohen songs joins the popular The Other Leonard Cohen Album to offer fans of the iconic singer-songwriter a total of 3 CDs of musical treats. Another Other Leonard Cohen Album includes the following tracks plus liner notes by Sylvie Simmons.
1. Je Veux Vivre Tout Seul
2. Kevin Barry
3. Die Gedanken Sind Frei
4. Store Room
5. As Time Goes By
6. Don’t Go Home with Your Hard-on
7. Blessed is the Memory
8. Silent Night
9. Dead Song
10. Another Saturday Night
11. Ballad of the Absent Mare
12. Guerrero
13. The Butcher
14. Un As Der Rebbe Singt
15. Song to the Machines
16. If It Be Your Will
17. Thirsty for the Kiss
18. A Thousand Kisses Deep
19. I Tried To Leave You
20. Whither Thou Goest
21. Mr Cohen Must Be Going
Heck Of A Guy celebrates Leonard Cohen’s 77th birthday (September 21, 2011) with a video of scenes from Leonard Cohen’s life and photos of fans expressing their affection for Mr. Cohen, all set to “I Love Leonard Cohen” by Robin Grey.
Leonard Cohen At 75 Viewed Over 15,000 Times: a video montage of favorite scenes featuring the singer-songwriter, poet, and icon set to "They Can't Take That Away From Me."
Video – Jennifer Warnes’ Way Down Deep & Leonard Cohen’s A Thousand Kisses Deep
The video begins with Jennifer Warnes singing the gorgeous but routinely overlooked "Way Down Deep," which is followed by Leonard Cohen's recitation of "A Thousand Kisses Deep" in Dublin to juxtapose the earliest performed precursor of Cohen's now classic "A Thousand Kisses Deep" with the most recent version.
Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen had a fling in the 1960s that, for unspecified reasons, was short-lived, with Cohen instigating the parting.
It was then and is now a complex connection. In 1988, Cohen said, I'm still very friendly with Joni - I had dinner with her before the tour, and I have the same admiration for her as you do. But I think it was Noel Harrison who came up to me in the LA Troubadour and said "How do you like living with Beethoven?"
That's right - the entire 2008-2010 Leonard Cohen World Tour, including the events that triggered the Tour, have been compressed into one 60 second video.
