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‘A Thousand Kisses Deep’ Music Preview by Gary Chew
Writing an aphoristic line defining Leonard Cohen may be as simple as taking a line from a song by him.
“You live your life as if it’s real.”
It’s one of the best lines in the haunting song “A Thousand Kisses Deep,” which is also the name of the concert of Cohen works scheduled for May 5 at the 24th Street Theatre. Fifteen Northern Californians will perform the all-Cohen program through song and recitation.
Another line that might relate the essence of Cohen also comes from his pen:
“Love is the only engine of survival.”
Although Cohen isn’t describing himself with these phrases, the man offers his listeners much to think about, whether the words are quietly spoken or simply sung.
When sung, his songs are usually in a minor key, performed rather slowly with lyrics laconic, über ironic and not afraid of religious or sexual imagery. Clearly, Cohen is not out to use his talent for slipping rose-colored glasses on your nose.
Many have covered Cohen’s most popular song, “Suzanne.” Judy Collins’ performance is the one most memorable to me. It’s the one he wrote that conjures up the Statue of Liberty as well as Jesus as a metaphorical sailor “on His lonely wooden tower.” Some interpret the song to be inspired by New York City, yet there are other images in “Suzanne” that suggest it takes more from Montreal where Cohen was born in 1934.
The concert will include a less common combination of instruments for the Cohen songs. Along with keyboards, guitars, bass and drums, there is a cellist, Arthur Gould, and a wind player, Tom Schmidt.
Other musicians are Pat Jacobsen (Music Director and bass), Mark McCartney (drums), Rick Kirkpatrick (guitar) and Bill Chiechi (keyboards). Singers include Paul Emery (guitar) and Anni McCann (piano). Other vocalists are Shay Dillon, Kimberly Bass, Peter Wilson, Eleanore MacDonald, Saul Rayo and Stephen Holland. Molly Fisk will recite Cohen poems.
“A Thousand Kisses Deep” is presented by Swell Productions and Paul Emery. Advance tickets are available at inticketing.com, The Beat, Phono Select and the Briar Patch Co-op in Grass Valley.
Copyright © 2012 by Gary Chew. All rights reserved.
