Leonard Cohen Live In London [3LP Vinyl]

I was never a Leonard Cohen fan - he was someone who was just "there" but who I considered, with his, um, idiosyncratic vocals and his downbeat style, as something of a joke when I was growing up. You know, the whole "Laughing Lenny" bit. My sister had one of his early albums and I'd hear it through my ceiling when she'd play it at night, in her bedroom above mine. I never understood the appeal; even though in later years when I heard (and quite liked) "First We Take Manhattan", I wasn't interested enough - or brave enough - to take the plunge with an entire album.Then he went away, and then he came back. He'd already done a round of concerts in London, and I'd heard they were great. Another round was announced and I asked my partner,almost jokingly, if she wanted to go. We both laughed at the idea, but we went. And it was....revelatory. It was, without a doubt, one of the best concerts I'd ever seen, and this double live album captures this very special experience beautifully.Now, bear in mind the context: Cohen returned to touring because his business manager waltzed off with $5 million of his money and he needed to put something back in the bank and fast. He could have easily have knocked together a "Greatest Hits" tour: an hour and a half of the familiar, "Thank you and goodnight" and take the money. But he didn't - these concerts were over two hours long, pushing nearly three hours, and the dapper and urbane Cohen, backed by an eclectic mix of World and Jazz musicians, presented a more-than-generous overview of his career, unfolding with warmth, with love and with intelligence. As this 74 year-old man rushed on and off stage, doffed his hat to the audience, joked drolly in between songs and acknowledged the contribution of each and every one of his band members, I was in awe at his energy and his obvious, radiant enthusiasm for what he was doing and who he was doing it for. It was a thrilling, magical night and the music was rapture-style uplifting. I became a fan that night and treasure this album and the pleasure it gives me and the memories it evokes. And the songs? They remain articulate, intelligent expressions of the passion and pain of being a human being, riveting dissections of the human psyche and the soul performed with melancholic,barbed humour and slow-burning passion. If you care about music and you care about anything, you should have this album. I not only went back and dusted off the CDs in my partner's collection, but went ahead and ordered the box set of everything he'd done up until then and now buy every new release since.Look, I'm no spring chicken, and have seen many of my idols fade or fall by the wayside. I feel lucky, however, to have lived in a time when Leonard Cohen is making music as good as this. Now, when I hear his songs I laugh - but it's a joyous laughter.

Excellent double CD at a very good price. Great for Leonard Cohen fans and for those who don't think they are. Beautiful quality live recording and nothing remotely dreary. Only problem is that the CD comes in a cardboard 'envelope' which feels cheap and tears easily - as mine has done, even though I have been careful with it.

I have always associated LC with somewhat depressing, melancholic songs played late at night in darkened rooms when the mood is sad or people are under the influence- but they were memories of a long time ago, Then a friend played me Live in London and although LC performs his well known back catalogue the fact the album is live, that the musicians are absolutely top notch, and LC has the chance to talk and display his humour and humility really make this an enjoyable experience- enough to make me want to see him live. I have as it happens got most of the tracks on other LC albums but it will be this album that I will be playing in the future.

This is everything and more you just know you will get from this most lovely, gifted and charming Man. I have loved him for years and always will. Biggest regret is that I never got to see him live but this truly enthralling double CD has to be the next best thing.

I saw Leonard Cohen 3 times in 6 months, Manchester, Liverpool and Belfast, bought the London DVD and now the CD, Manchester was the first time I saw him live, and I can tell you after watching Madonna, Queen and Paul Rodgers, Simple Minds plus a few others he knocked spots out off them all. No gimmicks just pure LC singing, with a superb group and backing singers. He was humble beyond belief that we had all turned out to see a 73 year old sing for us. If you missed him or want to relive the experience, buy the CD AND DVD LIVE IN LONDON 02. From the very first song to last you will be held in his spell, for over two hours classic songs from albums new and old he belted out, supported by some classic musical displays. I have no favourites on the album, maybe Suzanne, The Gypsy's Wife, Hallelujah (as it was meant to be sung) or, no the whole album is fantastic. Buy it and be amazed, I have now bought the back catalog from the experience

I don't usually purchase live performances,but I'm glad I made an exception with this one. Fantastic performances all round,from LC ,his band and backing singers. Production values are so good,I cannot do it justice. If you like Mr.C,please do yourself a favour,and get this one.

I heard one song of excellent cover of "Hallelujah" on my CD changer with the Norweigian concept with the same name and realized I needed something with the original. It did not disappoint me at all so I can highly recommend it!

By chance I saw the BBC4 recording of the London concert. I have never been a fan of Leonard Cohen, his being an area of music that I was dismissive of the first time around, without really giving him a fair chance. I was so impressed by everything about the concert. The quality of the musicianship, the backing trio of singers, the lyrics, the timing, the production and the professionalism and voice of Leonard Cohen. He seemed genuinely over whelmed by the reception he received and his rapport with the audience was touching. After wards I looked to see what was available of his work on Amazon. Joy, oh joy, there was the London concert. The track I keep going back to is "Bird on the wire", but there is so much good stuff on this CD that a single choice,for me, is not possible.