When I woke up this morning, it was to the Leonard Cohen ballad “Suzanne.” No, not on my stereo, but stuck inexplicably in my head. Perhaps “inexplicably” isn’t the right word — the song is just a thing of beauty, lyrically descriptive, mood-setting and without flaw. It just gets in there sometimes, you know? Then, just now, while on a coffee run I listened to a street performer sing “Hey That’s No Way To Say Goodbye.” KISMET! That means it’s a Leonard Cohen day….and me without my black turtleneck.

Here’s a clip of Leonard Cohen performing “Suzanne” from the isle of Wight Festival in 1970.

Having never seen Cohen perform live, I am really looking forward to his upcoming tour…and, of course, hoping he announces some US dates.

From the official Leonard Cohen site:

Immediately following his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel tonight, Leonard Cohen announced his world tour, marking a return to the live arena after 15 years. He is scheduled to open in Toronto on June 6 and 7, the city that gave birth to his career as a recording and literary artist, and then play Europe in the remainder of June, July, August and early September.

Tour dates will be found after the jump: (more…)