Director Tony Palmer caused a furore in the 1970s with an excellent documentary series for the BBC about the history of popular music (All You Need Is Love). A few years earlier he made Bird On A Wire, about a tour by Leonard Cohen, which is now out on DVD for the first time. Palmer follows the Canadian singer in 1972 on a twenty-night tour that takes him through the main cities of Europe and Israel.
During the tour Cohen has to deal with the usual pop star scenes such as faltering equipment, drugs and pushy female fans. Nevertheless, Palmer also managed to conduct some penetrating interviews with Cohen, in which he elaborates on his artistic motives and principles. The scene makes a big impression during a concert in Tel Aviv, where the singer keeps his peace when security is aggressive about him. But the most beautiful are the beautiful performances of his quiet songs, which form a nice contrast with all the hectic around it. (MS)more