Leonard Cohen Concert in Lucca, Italy, July 27, 2008

by Lasan, Sep 7, 2008

It was worth waiting 15 years for a concert of Leonard Cohen. I will write about waiting for a chance to see and hear him live on stage.

"There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in."
Leonard Cohen

Beginning

I was around 15 years old when I started to listen to a music of Leonard Cohen. Friend's father was kind of a audiophile and his collection of vinyl records was huge. Luckily for us there was also Leonard Cohen's records. From than on I'm one of many that likes his poems, music and lyrics.

15 years ago I decided to go on his next concert and I kept my word and went in Lucca in Italy to see him live on stage. His music and lyrics followed me all those years.

Story has some funny part also. When the news about Leonard Cohen tour 2008 was released I was on-line and waiting for the right time and city that I could go.
There it was, tour date 30.8. Berlin. I just new I will go there. I didn't wont to miss it so I early booked airline ticket, hotel and ticket to a concert. after few days and with tickets at home already I got an e-mail with news that concert in Berlin was canceled. Actually it wasn't even scheduled.

But after all me and my wife went for a weekend in Berlin and had a great time.

Trip

We decided to go on a concert in Lucca with an organize group. On a way to Lucca we went also to Pisa, Vinci and finally Lucca. Some pictures form this town you can find in my Picable section.

It was fun went on a little trip with other Leonard Cohen fans, listened to his music, visited three beautiful places and at the end be there on the concert that I was waiting for.

Concert

The city of Lucca is beautiful place to visit. The old part of the city is inside a city wall.
Few hours earlier Leonard Cohen had a rehearsal so it was something special walking around Lucca and listen to a music. So finally one hour before concert we went there on our places, just in case not to miss anything.

When he got on a stage it was something special. This is the only singer, poet or writer who I really wonted to see live on stage. The audience stud up and gave him a great and loud applause.

He is a great gentleman, and a great performer. I have to admit that even that he is the reason we all were there, he was really acting as part of a group. No musician was left on stage unnoticeable.

Tour Band

Roscoe Beck - Musical Director, Bass, background Vocals
Neil Larsen - Keyboard, accordion, brass instrumentsSetlist:
Bob Metzger - Guitar, steel guitar & vocal
Javier Mas - Bandurria, laud, archilaud and 12 string guitar
Rafael Gayol - Drums & percussion
Dino Soldo - Keyboard, saxophone, wind instruments & vocal
Sharon Robinson - Vocals
The Webb Sisters - Charley and Hattie Webb - Vocals

The band was great, vocals were perfect and listening to Sharon and Webb sisters was pure pleasure especially the song "If It Be Your Will". I can just say that it was a great concert and I hope to see him on stage again.