reviews

“A most amazing dose of THE master of poetry and song, but with the skillful twist by a most dazzling songstress who dares to go where Cohen goes, from the sardonic bars and Chelsea Hotel to the lofty relations of honest love, and then there is hate too, but it is joyful hate. See this show to know what I am talking about.
Ali has the presence of David Bowie, the sophistication of Dusty Springfield and the guts to blast it out or pull it back when the spirit calls. This show is a killer."
Fussy Lo Mein, New York

“Big thanks to Carol Lipnik for tipping me off to one of my favorite shows in years: the beautiful Ali Hughes (from Sydney but moving soon to London) at the Triad in a Leonard Cohen salute that I thought was a work of art.
She and her trio (Daryl Wallis, piano/vocals/arranger; Adam Armstrong, bass; Greg Joseph, drums) cast an unbroken spell and made those songs sound new to these ears.
I had heard Ali a while back singing with Jane Siberry and knew she was special. Watch for her.” James Gavin, New York - biographer of George Michael, Lena Horne, Peggy Lee and Chet Baker.

"Having loved Ali Hughes backup singing with Jane Siberry, it was great to see her do her own thing at New York’s Duplex cabaret—the “thing” being Leonard Cohen Koans, her intriguing take on the music and writings of another enormously gifted Canadian artist. With so many recordings and concert programs rightly dedicated to Cohen before and after his passing, Ali somehow managed to come up with an original interpretation and format within the context of Cohen’s Buddhist practice." Jim Bessman, New York

 “It’s hard to imagine yet another cover of ‘hallelujah’ making an impact, but the arrangement and delivery by Hughes and bassist Michael Galeazzi was overwhelmingly good.”
Judy Barrass, Critical Mass

“exceptionally well-crafted…***1/2 out of ****” Michael Giltz, huffingtonpost.com
(Huffpost Best Shows 2011 "Ali Hughes ... tearing it up in her concert revue Leonard Cohen Koans")

“…exquisitely delivered” David Finkle, theatermania.com

“…exudes a narrative that makes it more than just a collection of covers.” Kimberley Lew, emergingmt.blogspot.com

“part homage, part flight of fancy… you will swoon and not be embarrassed about it.” Dan Cooper, usa unveiledarts

“(hughes) more than embodies the energy that one expects from an evening of Cohen.” Amber Gallery, nytheatre.com

… and back home in sydney:
“an incredible ability to hold the stage…” Nell Schofield

“sensual, enigmatic… intense warmth, startling range.” Veronica Hanlon, aus SXNews