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Imperfect Offering returns to the Ascension Wine Estate next month with a brand new show honouring the music of Leonard Cohen.
Lead vocalist and Warkworth resident Peter McMillan says last year’s tribute concert closely followed the set list and structure of Leonard’s last concerts in New Zealand.
But this time, the nine-piece band will undertake a chronological journey through Leonard’s life and music, starting with his debut single Suzanne, recorded in 1967, to music from his final album You Want it Darker, recorded in 2016.
The set will include six new songs not heard in the earlier concert.
Peter says during the show he talks about the different phases of Leonard’s life and the music that is reflected in those phases.
“People say it’s a better show. Tying up the music, the lyrics and the different phases of his life seems to speak to people more profoundly,” he says.
One thing Peter does not attempt to do is sound exactly like Leonard. For one thing, Leonard was a deep, gravelly bass, whereas Peter is a high baritone.
Moreover, Peter says there is only one Leonard Cohen and despite the multitude of covers of Leonard’s music, nobody can sing it like him.
Instead, he says he tries to deliver a faithful interpretation of the songs.
“I try to get inside the songs and discover their meaning. Leonard spoke so profoundly of the human condition. I try to get inside of that.”
Peter became a student of the Canadian singer after he attended one of his concerts in New Zealand in 2009.
“I was just blown away by the beauty of the music. It was profound – filled with wisdom and spirituality,” he says.
“I felt like I was in a cathedral, though actually it was Vector Arena.”
Imperfect Offering was formed in 2014 and the band tours regularly around New Zealand.
Last year’s Ascension concert was their biggest so far, with more than 340 tickets sold. Peter anticipates a similar turnout this year.
Imperfect Offering presents the music of Leonard Cohen on Saturday, June 1, at 7pm. Bookings eventfinda.co.nz.
