My Leonard Cohen

A joyful celebration of the music and life of Leonard Cohen, by Stewart D'Arrietta and his 6 piece band.

‘My Leonard Cohen’ premieres with just two shows in London, ahead of returning to the Edinburgh Fringe where it previously sold out and got rave reviews.
It recently sold out at the Sydney Opera House too, and received a rousing full standing ovation.

D’Arrietta's interpretations of the great, late Leonard Cohen’s powerful works are uplifting and rousing. The stories give an insight into Cohen’s life and the motivations behind his songwriting. The show is sprinkled with a good dose of D’Arrietta’s trademark laconic humour.

Soulful lyrics are laced with raw emotion and sheer seductiveness. D’Arrietta’s arrangements add an uplifting, joyful feel to the music.

Showcasing Cohen’s best, including the heartrending ‘Suzanne’, the iconic ‘Tower Of Song’, the desperately sensual ‘I’m Your Man’, the apocalyptic 'Future' and of course the mournful but mighty ‘Hallelujah’, all delivered as you’ve never heard them before.

Here's an excerpt of an interview with 'The Wonder from Down Under', Stewart D'Arrietta.
Q: You’re Australian. Why do you come over here?
A: I love the UK; the history, the culture, and the fact that
people appreciate what we do. Plus I get to work with your great local musicians.

Q: Any other connection to the UK?
A: My great great grandfather was a spy for the British
during the Napoleonic Wars. He was Basque, & informed
the British on the movement of the French troops.
In 1820 the British Government rewarded him with a land
grant of 2,000 acres in New South Wales, Australia.
Unfortunately, he lost the whole lot in a card game!

Q: Why do you do a Leonard Cohen tribute show?
A: It’s not a tribute show! It is a homage; a show about him and his music. I don’t try to impersonate him. I tell stories of his life and motivations, and recite a bit of poetry.
And I weave my own form of magic into the songs; giving them different feels: some rock,
some tango, klezmer, we even take one down to New Orleans.
Leonard loved other people doing their own versions of his music, by the way!

Q:But why Leonard Cohen?
A:He is one of the greatest songwriters of our time.
I love the seductive nature of his songs. And the poetry.
Each and every song started off as a poem, you know.

Q: How many in the band, and how many songs do you play?
A: I have a 6 piece band and we do 18 of Leonard Cohen’s best loved songs.