John Prine

Blue Rodeo Dept: I m going to make these remarks mercifully short because I want to hear the music ... if there is any anxiety about performing in front of me, please let it dissolve completely. I go into bouts of childlike ecstasy ... when I hear anyone cover my songs. , according to Globe and Mail. Illinois country-folk songwriter John Prine, Toronto roots outfit Cowboy Junkies and Blue Rodeo s Greg Keelor were among the musicians to fete Cohen while he looked on happily from the balcony above, applauding each performance and offering enthusiastic, two-handed waves to any musician who happened to glance up at him. Thank you so much ... how very kind of you to greet me with such hospitality, said Cohen, briefly doffing his trademark black fedora. It was a joyful affair for the Montreal troubadour, then, as an eclectic mix of artists offered faithful renditions of Cohen s best-loved tunes well, most of them his oft-covered Hallelujah was given the evening off . (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.