Leonard Cohen Fans...

[Rhona]

Any out there? If so, anyone heading to Manchester Opera House this week?

[zazen999]

Too far unfortunately, but the Mighty Boosh are on 6 Music in a bit - if we are talking icons!

If you are going, then please report back. Love a bit of Leonard. We stayed at the Chelsea Hotel in NYC last October - makes me smile every time I hear the song. Memories memories.

[HeyWayne]

Couple of dudes at work are going to Wembley (I think, or it may be the O2). I was invited, but much as I like Leonard, £70 a ticket seemed a little steep.

[Arachne]

I'm missing two idols this year through silly ticket prices - Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits.

Can't complain though, I'm just back from the Big Session where I caught Steve Earle, Oysterband and Bellowhead

[HeyWayne]

I'm missing two idols this year through silly ticket prices - Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits.

Can't complain though, I'm just back from the Big Session where I caught Steve Earle, Oysterband and Bellowhead

Don't! I was this (holds forefinger and thumb close together) close to buying Foo Fighters tickets.

I missed out on GreenDay playing at Milton Keynes a few years ago due to my back going ping. Had to sell the tickets - that really hurt.

[Mikey]

I like Leonard Cohen in small doses, any more and I have an urge to set up a rope over a limb on my eucalyptus tree.

[Rhona]

Well, yes, I did go on Friday and duly reporting back. Sell whatever you can to see him - it was the best thing I've ever seen in my life! It was worth every single penny and more. If you're a fan, and you can get your hands on a ticket, do it! You'll be thanking me forever for giving you such good advice! I feel so lucky to have finally seen him - never thought I would. It was pure magic.

His voice, his charisma, the songs, the music... how, how can I be in love with a stooped, gravel-voiced man of 74 ??? How??? I worship him!

(it's been 3 days and I'm still unable to stop sighing...)

[TonyF]

We used to go see Lennie every time he toured the UK, he was always brilliant.

At the end of the 1970s I saw him at what then was the Hammersmith Odeon. He stayed on stage so long that the trains had stopped and he finally admnitted that he didn't have any songs left to sing.

I've got his complete catalogue (and Tom Waits, neil Young, Dylan, Jackson Browne, Joni Mitchell etc etc) and various videos of tele progs about him, plus a good deal of off-catalogue promo stuff I've collected over the years.

Did he do the story about how he came to write Chelsea Hotel, great tale?

Mikey, you must have listened to the early stuff, the more recent, post 1980s stuff is much more positive. And if there was ever a candidate for the Nobel for Literature ........

[Jardiniere]

Tony ...first person i've spoken to in ages who has even heard of Jackson Browne

[TonyF]

Jardiniere, last time I saw him was at the Albert Hall, one of the bestest concerts I've ever seen in my life. Love his music, great songwriter and performer.

And the two latest accoustic albums are just brilliant. Email me for 'details'.

[Rhona]

I've heard of Jackson Browne!

Leonard didn't do the story about the Chelsea Hotel, but I'd seen it on my precious video of his tour in the 80's. He did say that the last time he was touring, it was about 15 years ago, "I was 60 years old. Just a kid with a crazy dream..."

I've worshipped his music, words, poetry for nearly 20 years, since I was about 14. I never think him as being a misery-monger. I know his rep and early music has a real melancholy to it, but I always find him totally uplifting! And yes, the later stuff is so deeply intelligent and accomplished - I think 10 New Songs is flawless. Sharon Robinson was doing backing vocals - she was terrific too.

[TonyF]

If you like Lennie, look for Jennifer Warnes' 'Famous Blue Raincoat' on which he features - she was with him for years and I think is just the mutts nuts when it comes to interpreting his music.

And she also sang Buffy St Marie's 'Up Where You Belong' with Joe Cocker.

[Alison]

Saw Leonard Cohen at Glastonbury on Sunday and he was brilliant. He genuinely seemed quite overwelmed by the good reception he got and I'm so glad I didn't miss it, especially as I've since found out that he refused to have it filmed so you can't watch it on the "red button" now I'm home.

[HeyWayne]

Just been listening to "The Future" on my iPod and I can't help having a little dance along to Closing Time.

I'll let the dudes in the office know to expect a good time when they go and see him at the O2.