(Passeio Marítimo de Algés, 19 July 2008)
(Note: Part-gray-rolls are personal to read the chronicle of the concert to start directly in the black letter)
On July 19, recently premiered the holidays in Galicia, I woke up remembering that day acted Leonard Cohen in Lisbon. He made no plans to go to the concert, but I woke up with the idea that I had to take this opportunity, I had no job or family problems that prevented me to see him go. There were many miles and many hours of travel, but could not miss that opportunity, "Why do not you, now or ever." The concert had dismissed Benicássim wanted a concert dedicated to him. I decided to go without knowing whether tickets would be, but something told me that there were no problems, the biggest drawback would be finding the site and on time. More than five hours in the car are to believe many things, including my own way of acting judge. I would have preferred to have everything planned out weeks in advance, have enjoyed preparing a very important appointment, accompanied and spend the weekend with my wife would also have been a good idea, yet here I was alone, for adventure, as if the youth had not gone through my life many years ago, with a camera that had caught the last minute and was unable to ascertain whether it was loaded. I went through that in Portugal are one hour late compared to Spain, 50 minutes before the concert. When I said "YES" a huge weight had tickets left to crush. It gave me time to eat anything I wanted to be ahead, take a closer look, a coca-cola to ginger up a bit, and there would be time after the show to return to earthly life.
Lately this page seems to the Olympus of the gods of rock (Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen ...), I would add one more to the political clout, because what was experienced there was a true act of communion and worship. In Lisbon we were lucky to find a paradise for a day, we heard passionate words of our God, beside him levitate six apostles gave us the sound of their instruments, reaching ecstasy rocked by three angels choirs singing the message divine do da do Dowman Dowman Dowman Dowman Dowman ( "Do not stop," asked L. Cohen).
As I read in the press we go from 8 to 9 thousand people, from different countries, languages and ages. Although in principle it was outdoors might seem inconvenient, the environment magically became the perfect setting, achieving moments of privacy and silence hard to imagine in a concert of this nature. Leonard Cohen came on stage promptly after the components of the band, all in dark suits, them with colored shirt and hat. The first impression, besides him thinner and paler than I imagined, was to confirm what we already knew: "Wow, if he is seen very old, but years internalizing his music and his books made my mind was seeing on stage but not something external reflection of a very important part of my life. Once we started to sing his old disappeared, surprising the good condition of his voice, just as seductive as ever, much less cascade than I expected (it just broke in a few intense moments). Every gesture he made, every word he said was unanimously followed by laughter, screams and applause from the audience, there are several times the release of red carnations, as significant in a country like Portugal. We saw a man who radiated magic and mysticism, with a gentle smile full of humility and an unlimited power of attraction. Excitement, joy, choirs, silent tears ... had us completely in their hands, like waves in a bathtub and he was waving his learned leisure. Even the temperature and the moon facing the stage, which drew a stanza when she alluded to, allied to everything to be perfect. The essence of the concert was a rock show, but taken to limit the personal, with influences from jazz, country, blues, pop and flamenco, but led throughout by the elegance and respect for the intelligence, the ear ( that sounds so perfect!), the individual as physically and psychologically whole. The repertoire was based mostly on its many successes, making a tour of most of their albums, with special involvement surely the "I'm your man". 
It began with "Dance Me to the End of Love", kneeling before the virtuoso Javier Mas (acoustic guitar, lute, mandolin ...). On many occasions took the solo performances of the band members to present and take off your hat to them (well that sounded the old organ - Hammond? - In the hands of Neil Larsen, and how sensitive the Dino Soldo on harmonica and saxophone to the flute and electric!), uncovering his head before the public also thanked each applause, suggesting that they were all (were) a fundamental part of the trip. Among the most popular themes sounded (sorry do not remember the order) "Who by Fire," "Everybody Knows", "Closing Time," "Bird on the wire" ( "like a little bird" would change the lyrics), "Tower of Song "(with the keyboard solo as simple as that characteristic to be applauded, aware of his awkwardness to the keys, he acknowledged that we were too kind ... more laughter)," First we take Manhattan, "a beautiful rendition of" Suzanne "with just voice and guitar (the Tagus River next to the stage came the hair), the brilliant" Hey, that's no way to say goodbye, "" The gipsy's wife "," I'm your man "full-throated coreada by the public to reach the chorus, "Democracy" (I think it was before starting this theme when he said "it is fortunate to have wonderful moments like these when so much chaos, darkness and sadness in the world"), "In my Secret Life ', the immensely popular "So Long Marianne", a memorable "Hallelujah" (adding "I have not come to Lisbon to deceive"), "Take this Waltz" before the finish line made all dance we tried the best we could, and many more just as wonderful that accompanied us for nearly 3 hours with a break of 15 minutes and several encores of those who came and went dancing, giving sympathetic increasingly energetic jumps, which King doing the work of a buffoon, like a kid happy in old clothes, as if each song was a dose of the elixir of youth.
It would be unfair not to mention for their hard work and genius, the other musicians: Bob Metzger (guitar, steel guitar), Roscoe Beck (bass, double bass) and Rafael Gayol (drums and percussion). The angels who did backing vocals were also highlights: Sharon Robinson in the song "Boogie Street" and the Webb Sisters duo interpretation with the exciting "If it be your will" (Hattie Webb harp and voice, guitar and vocals Charley Webb ). To end all in chorus sang while Leonard Cohen's farewell, thanking us for a night so memorable.
When I learned that Spain had acted only 1 hours me doubly glad that I made the decision to go to Portugal.
"Suzanne takes you to his place by the river
you can hear the boats sail,
You can spend the night beside her.
You know she's half crazy
but that's why you want to be there "
(Suzanne)
I've never been a fan of Heavy Metal, I always look askance at those characters in black shirt, matted hair and "gringos", but I always tried to expand my musical horizons by adding new groups to my catalog, and since the Internet came into our lives is much easier, no doubt. 
