This 2009 release captures Cohen late in his career, offering a definitive statement of his enduring appeal. It documents a triumphant return to live performance after a long hiatus.
- The album was recorded at the O2 Arena in London on July 20, 2008, during Cohen's first tour in 15 years. The tour itself was prompted by financial difficulties and became one of the highest-grossing tours of the year. The setlist drew heavily from Cohen's classic catalog, with highlights including "Suzanne," "Hallelujah," and "So Long, Marianne."
- The album reached number 13 on the UK Albums Chart and number 44 on the US Billboard Folk Albums chart. Critical reception was overwhelmingly positive, with many praising Cohen's performance and the high quality of the live recording. It was seen as a validation of his late-career resurgence.
- The release features a number of songs that had become staples of his live shows by that point, but also includes some deeper cuts and covers, showcasing the breadth of his musical interests. The arrangements were often richer and more dynamic than on the original studio recordings.
Leonard Cohen was a Canadian singer-songwriter, poet, and novelist whose work explored themes of religion, politics, isolation, sexuality, and personal relationships. He began his career as a poet and novelist in the early 1960s before transitioning to music in 1967.
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