Description

Keith James in concert

The Songs of Leonard Cohen

These remarkable songs - stripped back, desolate, naked and sensual

Enigmatic, mysterious and sub textural, songwriter Leonard Cohen was an unflinching character, with an exact sense of prose, wry humour and courage to wrestle with the unspoken, forgiving human frailty with the stroke of each line.

The chilling announcement of Leonard's passing marked the end of an era. His music befriended an entire generation. Within every line of his writing, he has been challenging us to listen more carefully, speak more thoughtfully, think more deeply and recognize our own fragility. A Man of Grace. Our World misses him very much!

With a lifetime reputation of performing in this exact way and an undying love of the 'pure song' Keith James gives you a concert of Cohen's amazing material in the most intimate and sensitive way imaginable, exposing the solitary inner strength of his greatest songs in their original perfect form. Keith has performed an extensive tour of this concert in Theatres and Arts Centres across the UK, giving almost 500 concerts close to 150,000 people. This has proved to be one of the greatest honours in Keith James' 40 year career in music. Keith lives in Powys, Wales and Andalusia, Spain.

Included in the concert are Cohen's well known songs: Famous Blue Raincoat, Sisters of Mercy, Suzanne and Hallelujah alongside his rarer and profound writing such as Who by Fire, Joan of Arc and Secret Life. Also included are songs from his posthumous album Thanks for the Dance and Keith's dramatic performances based on the work of Federico Garcia Lorca Cohen's greatest influence.

Keith has also transcribed into song one of Leonard's poems from his collection 'Book of longing'

'Some of the most atmospheric and emotive music you will ever hear' The Independent

'Good work! Glad you are keeping Leonard's songs alive' Sylvie Simmons, Biographer The Life of Leonard Cohen

'Keith James has become a pillar of trust. A sublimely intimate and engaging voice' Sunday Times

'an elegant and beautifully crafted reinterpretation of a great Artist's words' BBC Radio Scotland

'certainly the UK's most celebrated and evocative interpreter of golden music' The Guardian

'All the tears of time are shed in a few brief lines' Times Literary Supplement

'a sensitive and pleasingly understated delivery, all the better that the songs might speak for themselves' Acoustic Magazine

Keith James' website www.keith-james.com

Description

Coventry's comfiest used bookshop serving lunch, wine, beer and folk music.

A place to Discuss, Learn, Play and Create.
Based at the new creative village Fargo in Coventry, The Big Comfy Bookshop provides thousands of second hand books of all genres with the added extra of cake, coffee and tea and even a licensed bar! We've also now added a lunchtime menu.

Established since 2012, The Big Comfy Bookshop houses thousands of books from pulp crime fiction through to travel, art, cooking and all in between. With hundreds of shelves bulging with books, there's something for everyone.

Open 7 days a week, while-away a few hours in our relaxed environment with a cup of coffee and homemade cake, or even treat yourself to our freshly made jacket potatoes.

In the evening we transform our space to host music, poetry, book clubs and more, with our bar serving real ales and wine, a great alternative night out.

With an ever changing selection of books and an eclectic event schedule, The Big Comfy Bookshop is a destination to return to again and again.

Fargo Village, Far Gosford Street,

Coventry,

West Midlands,

England,

CV1 5ED.