Just a young kid with a crazy dream.

Tonight is the very last concert of Leonard Cohen's tour. It is possibly his last performance ever, as the 76-year-old told the audience last night, "When we started this tour three years ago I was just a young kid with a crazy dream." Luckily for everyone in attendance last night, he made Vegas a two-show stop. As was the case last year, it was an amazing concert, coming in just under four hours in length. I would have stayed there forever listening to his deep voice and love-torn lyrics, my personal idea of heaven. This year Joe came with me and was overwhelmed, to my delight, by the uniqueness and full sound of the instruments. To me, Cohen has been a constant source of calm in my life, and goodness knows I need something to calm me down every once in a while. His music and lyrics hit a tender spot, and while they don’t serve to lighten me up in any sort of superficial happy way, they certainly pump me full of gentleness and peace just enough to see the brighter side of things. Aside from his poetic and poignant lyrics, the accompanying music adds to the wholeness of his message. One fine example of how clever he is, in what is probably his most famous song “Hallelujah” (from the Shrek soundtrack) he sings the lines: 

Now I’ve heard there was a secret chord

that David played and it pleased the Lord,

It goes like this

the fourth, the fifth, the minor fall, the major lift

Interestingly, the chord progression he sings about is the same one he is playing—the fourth (IV, F) the fifth (V, G) the minor fall (vi, a) the major lift (IV, F). That is super cool.

After the concert we met up with some friends who had also been there, and the four of us sat around reflecting on how great Cohen is. We also shared with them our big news: next month Joe and I will be moving to Las Cruces, NM. He will be studying golden eagles, specificially in relation to wind energy. It will be great to move on from our current jobs and location, so we're both excited for the change. I'm particularly excited for the garden I've had in my head for the past three years; soon it will be fo' real! We're also hoping to get a bird, depending on yard space. A red-tailed hawk or kestrel will be our training bird for the first year, then we can move on to something cool like a cooper's hawk or prairie falcon. The next few weeks will be busy getting everything ready, saying goodbye to Vegas and friends, then driving to our new place (where ever it may be)in New Mexico. On that note, in the event that I don't get back on here before Christmas, Happy Holidays everyone!!

Let's sing another song boys, this one's grown old and bitter.

A legend was in town last week: Leonard Cohen, the man who has inspired so many people in so many ways, brought his thick chocolaty voice to Vegas, and I was there to see it all.
A talented staffer at the RJ wrote a fantastic review of the writer, poet, singer, and songwriter's concert which I will direct you to here: http://www.lvrj.com/news/leonard-cohen-stirs-passions-during-spirited-caesars-show-70095292.html

Another great article about this amazing artist was written when the concert was announced last summer, and tells a little more about Cohen's background: http://www.lvrj.com/neon/leonard-cohen-69358992.html

A few personal highlights of the concert were:
1) Finding out that I had inadvertantly bought myself a box seat. Nothing wrong with that!
2)Watching with delight each time Cohen waltzed on and off the stage. I just couldn't get enough of this guy-- he literally waltzed from one place to the next.
3) Every time a musician had a solo (and there were a-plenty) he would stand inconspicuously and clutch his fedora to his chest while enraptured with the music. Beautiful, his appreciation was so touching.
4) When he addressed the audience he spoke so lyrically and poetic, it is a pity I didn't write it all down. I remember him referring to his bassist as "the shepherd of our ensemble" or something to that effect. He has a extraordinary way with words.
5) I don't believe I ever once stopped smiling. There was no reason to, quite frankly. The man hasn't toured in 15 years and very well may never tour again, but this concert was so fulfilling I am confident that it will live on forever in my memory.

And finally, to share a personal story about how Leonard Cohen has touched and influenced me over the years: When I was in high school and a date was late picking me up again, I decided that rather than waiting passively I would write a song about it. And so, to the tune of Cohen's Lady Midnight, I produced a delightful song of hate for one Seth Page (I feel no need to protect his identity, after all, he was late). My mom was so amused by the song she had me perform it again for the video camera, where it will live forever in the realm of home movies. Thank you Leonard, I applaud you.