Leonard Cohen was quite simply one of the greatest songwriters to ever grace us with his gifts. Henry Wagons is one of our most talented musical exports. So I knew before I listened to it that I would love Henry’s latest single, a cover of Leonard’s “Tower of Song.”
If I wasn’t already familiar with the song I might have thought Henry wrote it. It fits him so beautifully, like a comfortable pair of shoes.
“Leonard Cohen is a true philosopher king of lyric. Like so many, I was hit when he left,” Henry explained. I wanted to honour the anniversary of his passing by singing my take on ‘Tower of Song’, as a thank you to the great man for building the structure under which all of us songwriters huddle.”
Singles don’t get much cooler than this.
But before Amy and Emily took the stage we were warmed up by Henry Wagons. And warm us he did with his quirky alt-country tunes. He was without his band, with only an acoustic guitar to accompany him, but his big personality filled the stage. My husband wasn’t too sure what to make of him at first, but by the time Henry got to his closing song “Willie Nelson” he was joining in the chorus.
There was less quirk to the Indigo Girls but a similar raw energy. This is music the way I like it best, without frills or fuss, back to basics. With only acoustic guitars, a mandolin and harmonica, and two sublime voices the American girls wowed me. I understood why they’re such legends in their home country, and wondered why they’ve never really caught on here. I felt privileged to be exposed to their exceptional songs and musical prowess, like someone had let me in on a secret. I have my husband to thank for that, and I do.