The tour ended.

[tomsakic]

From today - after 3 years and 250 shows - we live in the world without a Cohen show going on somewhere. I can't remember how it was before, it became so usual that he is out there... Three years seems like an eternity.

I guess everything has to end some day... With preparations, rehearsals and everything, it's half a decade in Leonard's life and oeuvre. Long and mesmerizing times. Thank you, master, thank you, everybody.

Now we can all rest a little, and then prepare for new stuff:)

[B4real]

guess everything has to end some day...

OhTom, I know that but I'm at the moment. It's like someone switched off the light! Already there is this huge empty void.
You know, I was content enough with all Leonard's previous songs and books of poetry and novels before he started on this epic journey. I had all I needed. The thought that I would ever actually see him in the flesh way over here never once entered my head. Since this has happened, to quote Leonard "there ain't no cure". But I have to be realistic here and wish Leonard some personal space for him to take it easy for a while.

And yes, I am so grateful and thankful for these last three years of the most remarkable way to unfold time that I know.

.....and you are right, we do have a lot to look forward to especially the new album.... and maybe in a year or two.....the light will get switched on again and I promise you I will not be sitting here on the other side of the world wishing and hoping.....I will see all of you there wherever the last concert will be.

[phillip]

well I may not of been to LV sadly as I am in the UK but loved reading all the posts and photos and video's seems a long time ago already when I saw Leonard in 2008 in Manchester and Birmingham and Liverpool 2009 but will never forget the wonderful concerts he gave and all the youtube video's I have watched from around the world including last nights LV show, well done to Leonard and the band have some rest and I look forward to the new album!

God bless you all

phillip UK

[TipperaryAnn]

We who are not in Las Vegas need this thread, thanks tomsakic. Those there will tell their stories in time, I am sure, but I awoke this morning feeling strangely bereaved, and wrote this:

Leonard Cohen gave his last concert last night, in that "most un-magical " of places, Las Vegas.

In the small hours I followed its progress on my phone, in bed, through Joey's welcome tweets, until the four hour marathon ended and the phone fell silent. Joey gone a-partying - I wonder has the wrap party wrapped yet?

I awoke to watery sunshine, sparrows and starlings hungry from the snow waiting to be fed, and my lovely dog who knows nothing of LC.

But the best is over. I am sure of that.

[jdhayes]

Tipperary Anne
The best may not be over yet. We have a CD to look forward to and who knows, maybe a promotion tour? But it was great while it lasted. Thanks Leonard and band.

[sturgess66]

Audio for the entire show from Friday (12/10/2010) is available at this link - 4 MP3 downloads.
http://www.hopelessbleakdespair.com/?p=1033

I am listening now - audio is excellent - I'm up to "Waiting for the Miracle."

[TommyJ]

Thanks v. Much for posting the audio link. Last night was just astonishing. Having travelled from London, I almost expected a sense of anti-climax, but it was quite the opposite. Breathtaking.

[rpan]

This audio is, I think, for the show on the 10th not the 11th.

[sturgess66]

This audio is, I think, for the show on the 10th not the 11th.

Thanks rpan - my mistake - and I have edited my posts.
I have downloaded but not finished listening.
The title on the blog even says 12/10/10.

[ladydi]

Hi everyone,

I WAS in Las Vegas...with about 300 Leonard Cohen fans from all over the world. I did remark that it seemed like a high school reunion!! Seemed like I knew everyone to some degree in the first 1/3 of the seating !Just now got back to Michigan. LOL...Las Vegas was 70F and sunny...the Detroit area has about 5 inches of snow, covered with freezing rain, and the wind is now gusting to 40mph. Low tonight is 12F...brrrrr.

My head is still spinning but will compose my scattered thoughts tomorrow. Wish I were still in Las Vegas...and wish Leonard was too....

This is difficult...where, oh where is my Gypsy support team tonight??

However, I live in hope of more concerts in the future...think it may happen....am I delusional? Just a gut feeling....

More later,
Off to sleep now....no sleep in Las Vegas....

It WAS awesome!!!!!

Diana

[mirka]

.
Just came back from LV... still overwhelmed by cognitive dissonance I went through: ugly "Las Vegas Roman" or "Las Vegas French" style casinos, strangely looking crowd filling them, and Leonard giving his magical Last Concert in this most Unmagical Place.
End of End of the World Tour indeed.

I loved singing "Passing through" for Leonard, hoped he would join us, unfortunately he didn't.... maybe next time ... ?

It feels strangely sad not being able to look forward to another enthusiastic report from another concert

[khayya]

"Be the truth unsaid and the blessing gone, If I forget my Babylon". - It is so very significant that Leonard gave his last concert in our contemporary Babylon. And we, the fans, are all back in Babylon right now (after the 3 years of heavenly Jerusalem). Yes, it's crowded and cold here, but somehow I trust these Leonard's words, this experience, that it is darkness itself that lifts the spirit up. It's easy to live in the light provided by someone, a teacher, a guru, and it's so hard to change it all into a living experience in your own life. What Leonard has taught me to do is to search for the source of all this love and light independent of concrete persons and situations, independent even of the notions of "light" and "quest" themselves. Sometimes I succeed, sometimes I fail, but I'm not afraid of failure any more. The greatest gift from Leonard to me is the understanding that one can build on a void, on the darkness, in Leonard's words "to keep up the ritual in the face of annihilation", and sometimes it works. And to love Babylon - it's a challenge and an exhilarating activity. May God bless all of us who are experiencing a sense of void right now.

[lizzytysh]

Hi khayya ~

Your post and analysis are very welcome. As Leonard said [sorta ~ not even sure if this is paraphrasing, just more or leass the idea of it] when he came down from Mt. Baldy, the challenge and true test is to be able to live a spiritual life within the reality/atmosphere of 'the world' ~ far easier to be 'spiritual' in a monastery, far more challenging to hold on to and still be that on Boogie Street.

"Be the truth unsaid and the blessing gone, If I forget my Babylon". - It is so very significant that Leonard gave his last concert in our contemporary Babylon.

You're so spot on with this... it was a challenge for Leonard to perform in such conditions as prevail in Las Vegas... and it was a challenge that Leonard rose to exceeded.

Thanks for posting this.


~ Lizzy

[MaryB]

What to do now? What to do, what to do, what t............

[BEATRIZ SALLES]

What to do now? What to do, what to do, what t............

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