On Friday night, it was great fun to run into Katia Kelly, the wonderful blogger who writes Pardon Me For Asking, at the Leonard Cohen concert at Madison Square Garden.

Kelly attended the show by the 75-year-old singer with her husband and two college-age children. I attended with Hugh and my dear college friend,  Andrea.

Since February, Cohen has been performing in first American tour in 15 years. He travels with a fantastic band that includes vocalist and composer Sharon Robinson (who collaborates with Cohen on songs) and the Webb Sister, who contribute harp, guitar and ethereal vocals.

The rest of the band is absolutely stellar: Roscoe Beck (bass, vocals), Neil Larsen (keyboards & accordion), Bob Metzger (electric, acoustic & pedal steel guitar), Javier Mas (bandurria, laud, archilaud, 12 string acoustic guitar), Rafael Gayol (drums, percussion), Dino Soldo (sax, clarinet dobro – keys).

During the 3+ hour show, Cohen delivered sustained, full-hearted excellence. At 75 (and after a recent heart attack) Cohen is spry and limber. He is able to deliver many songs kneeling and gracefully leaped offstage at the end of each set

He still has the Buddhist monk quality about him after years living in a California monastery. A monk who passionately loves—and respects—women.

An incorrigible wordsmith, Cohen graciously introduced each band member with a poetic introduction. During the show he recited quite few of his poem/songs (10,0000 Kisses Deep) to fantastic effect.

Last night, Cohen received so many standing ovations I lost count but he delivers on each one giving the audience more than they expected. The man has stamina that's for sure. He also has a calm, measured quality about himself that is lovely and soothing.

The following is the set list for last February's show at the Beacon but I think it's very close to what he did last night. I happen to be a big fan of his recent albums  like I"m Your Man" but I was thrilled that he did many from "Songs of Leonard Cohen" and other early albums.

Dance Me To The End of Love
The Future
Aint No Cure For Love
Bird on the Wire
Everybody Knows
In My Secret Life
Who By Fire
Chelsea Hotel
Hey That's No Way/Sisters of Mercy
Anthem

Tower Song
Suzanne
The Gypsy's Wife
The Partisan
Boogie Street
Hallelujah
I'm Your Man
Poem
Take This Waltz

So Long Marianne
First We Take Manhattan

Famous Blue Raincoat
If It Be Your Will
Democracy

I Tried To Leave You

Whither Thou Goest