leonardcohenforum.com

June 03/08 - Hamilton, Ontario - Ronald V. Joyce Centre for the Performing Arts

Setlist:

1. Dance Me to the End of Love
2. The Future - Cohen-Beck white man shuffle continues...
3. Ain't No Cure for Love

Note: before the third song was the official intro to the show. He talked about being a "kid with some crazy ideas" when he last performed live 15 years ago (when he was 60...). He also mentioned exploring the different religions of the world and joked that cheerfulness got him through that debacle. Finally he rattled off the names of a host of anti-depressants, finishing off by saying: "No matter what your strategy may be, religious or pharmaceutical, there ain't no cure for love."

4. Bird on a Wire
5. Everybody Knows
6. In My Secret Life
7. Who By Fire
8. Anthem - slight and subtle change in the melody of the first verse. Exquisite.

Intermission

9. Tower of Song
10. Suzanne
11. The Gypsy Wife - long Javier Mas solo on the bandurria to start
12. Boogie Street
13. Hallelujah
14. Democracy
15. I'm Your Man
16. A Thousand Kisses Deep - recitation
17. Take This Waltz

First Encore

18. Heart with No Companion
19. Waiting for the Miracle - jarring, is all I can say
20. First We Take Manhattan

Second Encore

21. That Don't Make It Junk - introduced as Leonard's drinking problem put to music by Sharon
22. If It Be Your Will - spoken verse intro by Leonard followed by Webb sisters' rendition
23. Closing Time

Third Encore

24. I Tried to Leave You - with solos by each performer

I'll post a detailed review, if anyone's interested.

Hamilton June 4th

encore 3
24. I Tried to Leave You
25. Wither Thou Goest (recitation by all) [for the first time]


Immediately following I Tried to Leave You, Leonard and the band put their instruments down, grabbed mics, lined up together and recited Wither Thou Goest.. The recitation appeared to be a little impromptu, perhaps not as rehearsed as the rest of the set, as more than one of the guys in the band stumbled once or twice. They all seemed genuinely appreciative of the energy and love coming from the Hamilton audience, especially post-intermission and through the encores. It seemed as though someone had given Leonard AND the audience a big pep talk during the intermission.. both sides came back from the break renewed, hungry, playful, ready to celebrate. Everything before the break was really quite great, and everything after was staggering. What a show.

***I'm adding this setlist sent in by stfa / Jarkko ***

No surprises this evening (June 6) in Toronto - identical to Kitchener, I think. It was absolutely superb. I feel so honoured that I got to go. The setlist:


First Set

Dance Me To The End Of Love
The Future
Ain't No Cure For Love
Bird On The Wire
Everybody Knows
In My Secret Life
Who By Fire
Anthem

Second Set

Tower Of Song
Suzanne
Gypsy Wife
Boogie Street
Hallelujah
Democracy
I'm Your Man
A Thousand Kisses Deep (recitation)
Take This Waltz
First Encore

Heart With No Companion
Waiting For The Miracle
First We Take Manhattan

Second Encore

That Don't Make It Junk
If It Be Your Will (recitation followed by the "Divine" Webb Sisters)
Closing Time

Final Encore

I Tried to Leave You


***This picture was posted in another thread by WRLD / Jarkko***

Setlist:

1. Dance Me to the End of Love
2. The Future
3. Ain't No Cure for Love
4. Bird on a Wire
5. Everybody Knows
6. In My Secret Life
7. Who By Fire
8. Anthem - with band intros and kudos

Intermission

9. Tower of Song
10. Suzanne
11. The Gypsy Wife - long Javier Mas solo on the bandurria to start -- and a spotlight on two people in the audience - Mas family?
12. Boogie Street
13. Hallelujah - Incredible version and overwhelming applause
14. Democracy
15. I'm Your Man
16. A Thousand Kisses Deep - mesmerizing recitation
17. Take This Waltz

First Encore

18. Waiting for the Miracle
19. First We Take Manhattan

Second Encore

20. That Don't Make It Junk - Leonard's serious drinking problem, dealt with by music by Sharon
21. If It Be Your Will - spoken verse intro by Leonard followed by Webb sisters' stunning treatmemt - standing O
22. Closing Time

Third Encore

23. I Tried to Leave You - with solos by each performer
24. Whither Thou Goest

Setlist:

1. Dance Me to the End of Love
2. The Future
3. Ain't No Cure for Love
4. Bird on a Wire
5. Everybody Knows
6. In My Secret Life
7. Who By Fire
8. Anthem

Intermission

9. Tower of Song (banter about drugs, religion, philisophy and cheerfulness inserted before song to allow late comers to be seated)
10. Suzanne
11. The Gypsy Wife
12. Boogie Street
13. Hallelujah
14. Democracy
15. I'm Your Man
16. A Thousand Kisses Deep
17. Take This Waltz

First Encore

18. Waiting for the Miracle
19. First We Take Manhattan

Second Encore

20. That Don't Make It Junk
21. If It Be Your Will
22. Closing Time

Third Encore

23. I Tried to Leave You
24. Whither Thou Goest

Setlist: Toronto, Monday, June 9, 2008

1. Dance Me to the End of Love
2. The Future
3. Ain't No Cure for Love - the angels were in stunning voice. Standing O.
4. Bird on a Wire - I was speechless. Standing O.
5. Everybody Knows - Yes, another standing O.
6. In My Secret Life
7. Who By Fire
8. Anthem

Intermission

9. Tower of Song - Slight technological stutter at the start, but Leonard was as smooth as butter.
10. Suzanne - Standing O.
11. The Gypsy Wife - long Javier Mas solo on the bandurria to start.
12. Boogie Street
13. Hallelujah - even more incredible version and long standing O.
14. Democracy
15. I'm Your Man
16. A Thousand Kisses Deep - the recitation was so good that it received a standing O!
17. Take This Waltz

First Encore

18. Waiting for the Miracle
19. First We Take Manhattan

Second Encore

20. That Don't Make It Junk - Leonard's serious drinking problem, set to music by Sharon
21. If It Be Your Will - spoken verse intro by Leonard followed by Webb sisters' stunning treatmemt
22. Closing Time

Third Encore

23. I Tried to Leave You - with solos by each performer

Leonard had amazing energy. The band was jumping. The crowd was seriously into it (six standing ovations). I've been to almost all the Hamilton and Toronto shows - this one was the best.

Note: a lady left a bag full of tea and an orange on the stage during Suzanne. Made me smile. May be she came all the way from China.

Come back soon, Leonard.

IMMA, Kilmainham,
DUBLIN 14th June 2008

First Set

Dance Me to the End of Love
The Future
Ain’t No Cure For Love
Bird on a Wire
Everybody Knows
In My Secret Life
Who by Fire
Anthem

Second Set

Tower of Song
Suzanne
The Gypsy’s Wife
Boogie Street
Hallelujah
Democracy
I’m Your Man
A Thousand Kisses Deep (Recited)
Take This Waltz

Encores

Waiting for a Miracle
First We Take Manhattan

That Don’t Make it Junk
If It Be Your Will (1st 2 verses recited by Leonard, remainder sung by Webb Sisters)
Closing Time

I Tried to leave you
Whither Thou Goest

MANCHESTER OPERA HOUSE Tuesday June 17th

Awesome performance (3 hours). Leonard was dressed very smartly (as always) in a double-breasted suit and fedora, which he frequently and politely raised to the audience and his band after each performance. The choir sang like angels, and the band were magnificent. Poetry in song doesn't get any better than this. Magic!

Thank you, Leonard, for a wonderful show. Good to see you again.

First Set

Dance Me To The End Of Love
The Future
Ain't No Cure For Love
Bird On The Wire
Everybody Knows
In My Secret Life
Who By Fire
Hey That's No Way To Say Goodbye (recent addition to the Set List)
Anthem

Second Set

Tower Of Song
Suzanne
The Gypsy's Wife
Boogie Street
Hallelujah
Democracy
I'm Your Man
Thousand Kisses (recital)
Take This Waltz

Encores

So Long, Marianne (back on the Set List. Thank you, Leonard!)
First We Take Manhattan

That Don't Make It Junk
If It Be Your Will (Beautifully performed and sung by The Webb Sisters)
Closing Time

I Tried To Leave You

ADDITIONS TO PERFORMANCE Friday 20th June

Sisters of Mercy
Famous Blue Raincoat
Wither Thou Goest

***From Jarkko: This setlist is correct. I removed the other one that wasn't. Below is a scan of the "official" list.***

THE OPERA HOUSE, MANCHESTER
Wednesday, 18th June 2008

Even longer than the previous night's performance!

First Set

Dance Me To The End Of Love
The Future
Ain't No Cure For Love
Bird On The Wire
Everybody Knows
In My Secret Life
Who By Fire
Hey That's No Way To Say Goodbye
Anthem

Second Set

Tower Of Song
Suzanne
The Gypsy's Wife
Boogie Street
Hallelujah
Democracy
I'm Your Man
Thousand Kisses Deep (recital)
Take This Waltz


Encores

So Long, Marianne
First We Take Manhattan

Sisters Of Mercy
If It Be Your Will
Closing Time

I Tried To Leave You
Famous Blue Raincoat
Whither Thou Goest?

Just home from Manchester Opera House after the Thursday 19th June concert - absolutely fantastic. Leonard was on awesome humerous form and truly in "golden voice". Herewith the Set List...

Leonard Cohen

Manchester Opera House – Thursday 19th June 2008

First Set

Dance Me To The End Of Love
The Future
Ain't No Cure For Love
Bird On The Wire
Everybody Knows
In My Secret Life
Who By Fire
Hey That's No Way To Say Goodbye
Anthem

Second Set

Tower Of Song
Suzanne
The Gypsy's Wife
Boogie Street
Hallelujah
Democracy
I'm Your Man
A Thousand Kisses Deep (lyric recital)
Take This Waltz

Encores

So Long, Marianne
First We Take Manhattan
Sisters of Mercy
If It Be Your Will
Closing Time
I Tried To Leave You
Whither Thou Goest (All)

Leonard ended the evening with the words "Bless you for your open hearts"

Bless you too, sir.

THE OPERA HOUSE, MANCHESTER
Friday, 20th June 2008

The final show of a truly beautiful week in Manchester.
LC's introduction to Take This Waltz included some quotes from Lorca for the first time this week.

Fashion note: Mister Cohen was wearing a tie for the first time this week in Manchester!

First Set

Dance Me To The End Of Love
The Future
Ain't No Cure For Love
Bird On The Wire
Everybody Knows
In My Secret Life
Who By Fire
Hey That's No Way To Say Goodbye
Anthem


Second Set

Tower Of Song
Suzanne
The Gypsy's Wife
Boogie Street
Hallelujah
Democracy
I'm Your Man
Thousand Kisses Deep (recital)
Take This Waltz


Encores

So Long, Marianne
First We Take Manhattan

Sisters Of Mercy
If It Be Your Will
Closing Time

I Tried To Leave You
Famous Blue Raincoat
Whither Thou Goest?

another VERY small point ... Friday's Manchester set list .. Famous Blue Raincoat was before I Tried to Leave You .. it hardly matters really .. it was all just perfect!!!

Paul

Place Des Arts, Montreal
Monday June 23 2008

From what I can remember this is the setlist from tonight. If I'm not mistaken tonight is the tour debut of Avalance!

First Set

Dance Me To The End Of Love
The Future
Ain't No Cure For Love
Bird On The Wire
Everybody Knows
In My Secret Life
Who By Fire
Hey That's No Way To Say Goodbye
Take This Waltz


Second Set

Tower Of Song
Avalance (Tour Debut!)
Suzanne
The Gypsy's Wife
Boogie Street
Hallelujah
Democracy
I'm Your Man
Thousand Kisses Deep (recital)
Anthem

Encores

So Long, Marianne
First We Take Manhattan

So Long Marianne
First We Take Manhattan

Sisters Of Mercy
If It Be Your Will
Closing Time
That Don't Make It Junk

I Tried To Leave You
Famous Blue Raincoat
Whither Thou Goest

28 songs in total

***edited with Velovermont's correction / Jarkko ***

Here is the stage setlist from Montreal, June 23, 2008 at Place des Arts

Montreal Jazz Fest - June 24: Leonard Cohen:
set list and musicians

The Band:

Roscoe Beck: musical director, bass

Rafael Gayol: drums

Bob Metzger: guitar

Javier Mas: various stringed instruments

Neil Larsen: keyboards

Dino Soldo: sax, woodwinds, harmonica

Charley and Hattie Webb: background vocals

Sharon Robinson: background vocals

Complete Set List:

1. Dance Me to the End of Love

2. The Future

3. Ain't No Cure for Love

4. Bird on the Wire

5. Everybody Knows

6. In My Secret Life

7. Who By Fire

8. Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye

9. Take This Waltz

*** Intermission ***

10. Tower of Song

11. Avalanche

12. Suzanne

13. The Gypsy's Wife

14. Boogie Street

15. Hallelujah

16. Democracy

17. I'm Your Man

18. A Thousand Kisses Deep (recitation)

19. Anthem

ENCORES:

20. So Long, Marianne

21. First We Take Manhattan

22. Sisters of Mercy

23. If It Be Your Will

24. Closing Time

25. That Don't Make It Junk

26. Famous Blue Raincoat

27. I Tried to Leave You

28. Wither Thou Goest


– Bernard Perusse (The Montreal Gazette)