Leonard Cohen and the ironing!

Leonard Cohen live… the memory of him at the Albert Hall, maybe 35 years ago, has stayed with me always. One of the best concerts I ever went to, it was also one of the longest… he is generous with his time. So how did I come to miss his recent tour? I still wonder at this, but I have been hugely relieved that modern technology can semi-remedy this… I have just bought a DVD of last year's concert, also at the Albert Hall.

And now I know how to enjoy ironing! He has kept me company, in the most magical way, during this sometimes tedious activity. He has wonderful presence, with a boyish grin and humble thank yous to his audience, and the deepest, possibly sexiest, voice on the planet. Now, at 73, he sounded much the same as my memory of him all those years ago, but he has a bigger team on stage and he takes breaks from singing when others play instruments. I noticed for the first time perhaps why his music has always appealed to me so much – it has such Greek and Gypsy influences. It is music that you feel, rather than just listen to.

I love him all over again and wonder that I ever forgot this. I didn't entirely forget… he has been a soothing and surprisingly uplifting companion at times of trauma in my life, such as when my mother died. Listening to him has always helped me feel at peace. But my husband calls Cohen "music to slash your wrists to", so my listening is somewhat restricted. No more… I just need to generate more ironing!