(Passeio Maritime Algés, July 19, 2008)
(Note: The first part-gray-rolls are personal to read the chronicle of the concert starting point directly in black)
On July 19, recently released holiday in Galicia, I woke up remembering that day Leonard Cohen acted in Lisbon. Had not made any plans to go to the concert, but I got up with the idea that I had to take this opportunity, I had no work or family problems that prevent me from going to see it. Many miles and many hours of travel, but could not miss this opportunity "why not now or never." The concert had Benicassim out, I wanted a concert dedicated to him. I decided to go without knowing whether tickets would be, but something told me that there would be no problems, the biggest problem would be to find the site and on time. More than five hours in the car are to believe many things, including how to judge my acting. Would have preferred to have it all planned weeks in advance, having enjoyed the preparation of an event so important, and be accompanied by spending the weekend with my wife would have been a good idea, but I was just there, the adventure, as if the youth had not gone through my life for many years, with a camera that was caught at the last minute and was unable to verify whether it was loaded. I got through that Portugal are one hour behind Spain, 50 minutes before the concert. When I said "YES" a huge weight had stopped her. I had time to eat anything, I wanted to be ahead of it, see it up close, a coca-cola espabilar for a bit, and after the concert would have time to return to life on earth.
Recently, this page looks like the Olympus of the gods of rock (Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen ...) I want to add one more to this temple policies, since it lived there was a true act of worship and fellowship. In Lisbon, we were fortunate enough to find a paradise for the day, we hear the impassioned words of our God, to them we did six apostles levitate with the sound of their instruments, reaching ecstasy mecidos by the choirs of angels sang three message divine do da do Dowman Dowman Dowman Dowman Dowman (no paréis "asked L. Cohen).
According to read in the press can come between 8 and 9 thousand people, from different countries, languages and ages. Although in principle it outdoors might seem a disadvantage, the environment became magically decorated in perfect, achieving moments of privacy and silence difficult to imagine such a concert. Leonard Cohen left the stage after the time components of the band, all with dark suit, shirt and clear them with a hat. The first impression, as well as more thin and pale view of what we thought, was to confirm what we already knew: "gosh, if it looks too old," but so many years internalizing music and books that made my mind was watching something not on stage but the external reflection of a very important part of my life. Nothing more start singing vanished age, struck by the good condition of his voice, as always attractive waterfall and much less than I expected (it just broke in a few moments of great intensity). He made every gesture, every word that followed were made unanimously by laughter, shouts and applause from the public, 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 ... we had completely in your hands, like waves in a bathtub and that he was waving to his wise whim. Even the temperature and the moon facing the stage, which was noted when some strophe referred to it, allied to all-out 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 a whole physical and psychological. The code was based primarily on its many successes, making a tour through most of his records, with a special role will the "I'm your man." 
It started with the "Dance me to the end of love," kneeling before the virtuoso Javier Mas (acoustic guitar, lute, bandurria ...). In many cases took the "welcome" of the band members for presentation and removed his hat to them (which sounded good old body - Hammond - in the hands of Neil Larsen!, And that sensitivity of the Dino Soldo the harmonica and the flute and electric saxophone!), also discovered the head before thanking the audience applauded each, suggesting that all were there (were) essential part of the trip. Among the most popular themes sounded (sorry 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 just as simple as that being distinctive and applauded, aware of its limited ability to keys, recognized that we were too kind ... more laughter)," First we take Manhattan, "a beautiful rendition of" Suzanne "with just voice and guitar (the Tagus river near the scene had hair), the wonderful" Hey, that's no way to say goodbye, "" The gipsy's wife, I'm your man " coreada lung for the entire public to reach the chorus, "Democracy" (I think it was before this issue when he said: "It is a lucky to have wonderful moments like these when there is so much chaos, darkness and sadness in the world") "In my secret life," the popular "So long Marianne," an unforgettable "Hallelujah" (adding "I did not come to Lisbon to deception"), "Take this waltz" before the finish line he tried to dance with everyone best we could, and many more equally wonderful that accompanied us for nearly 3 hours, with a break of 15 minutes and several encores of those who came out and dancing again, with nice jumps strongest ever, with which the work of King buffoon , in which children dress elderly happy, 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, bass) and Rafael Gayol (drums and percussion). The angels were choirs also had great moments: Sharon Robinson in the song "Boogie Street" and the Webb Sisters duet with the interpretation of the exciting "If it be your will" (Hattie Webb harp and voice, guitar and vocals Charley Webb ). To end all sang in chorus while Leonard Cohen farewell thank you for giving us a very memorable evening.
When I learned that Spain had acted only 1 hours doubly glad I have taken the decision to go to Portugal.
"Suzanne takes you to your site by the river
you can hear the boats sailing,
you can spend the night at his side.
You know she's half crazy
but it is why I want to be there "
(Suzanne)
