Leonard Cohen was a novelist and a poet before he tried writing pop music, and his creative roots show the unusual and often astonishing imagery of his ballads. He has been called "the poet laureate of pessimism," a title that often seems very appropriate. But Cohen can also kick out the jams and let rock. Or probe the inner landscape of eros as a spiritual journey.
In this revealing documentary by Murray Lerner, the singer/songwriter appears on the stage at 4 a.m. in the morning before a crowd of 600,000 people on the fifth and final night of a 1970 concert on the Isle of Wight. The restless fans had overturned barriers and set fires before Cohen appeared on stage with a band and two backup singers organized by Bob Johnston.
He begins by reminiscing about going to the circus with his father and then asks members of the audience to light matches and hold them up in front of them. He wants to see them shine. With this ritual in place, Cohen opens with a mesmerizing interpretation of "Bird on a Wire." He sings it slowly and with a reverence that is both singular and salutary. This amazing performance calms the crowd and prepares them for a leisurely tour through some of his gems including "Suzanne" with its lyrical beauty, "One of Us Can't Be Wrong" which he confesses was written in a room in the Chelsea Hotel, "The Partisan" for freedom fighters with lyrics in both French and English, and "Tonight Will Be Fine," a country sing along with real kick.
Another treat in this documentary is commentary offered by Kris Kristofferson, Judy Collins, and Joan Baez who were astonished at Cohen's commanding presence in front of such a rowdy and impatient crowd. In this documentary made 40 years ago, the singer/songwriter is like a Taoist sage who brings peace and beauty to all by ignoring the praise or blame of others. There is only one thing that is important: to express yourself with integrity.
