NOVA.SCOTIA (CBC) - Canadian music icon Leonard Cohen kicked off his first tour in 15 years with a crowd-pleasing concert at Fredericton's sold-out riverside Playhouse Sunday night.

Greeted with one of the night's many standing ovations the moment he took the stage, the 73-year-old Cohen started by thanking the city for its hospitality towards him since his arrival in town - especially so soon after suffering flood damage.

Cohen then proceeded to deliver a program filled with his greatest hits over the approximately 21/2-hour show.

The set list spanned favourites like Suzanne, So Long, Marianne, Bird on the Wire and Ain't No Cure For Love, with a performance of his 1984 song Hallelujah among the evening's highlights. No new material was showcased.

Cohen appeared overjoyed at the reception he received from the Fredericton crowd and admitted that he had felt some nervousness before hitting the stage.

The Montreal-born singer, songwriter and poet was inducted into the U.S. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in March and, the day after the New York gala, announced he would be embarking on a tour, including major stops such as three days prior to the Montreal International Jazz Festival (June 23, 24, 25), two dates in Toronto (June 26, 27) and a headline slot at Glastonbury Festival in the United Kingdom (June 29).

Two days later, he added a host of additional dates across Atlantic Canada that would precede the previously named shows in Toronto, Montreal and in Europe.

Though the intimate Atlantic Canada venues would likely offer a chance to work out the kinks of his new show before hitting bigger cities, there were few wrinkles to worry about from Cohen or his nine-piece group, according to CBC arts reporter Bob Mersereau.

Cohen proceeds next to concerts in Halifax, Charlottetown, Glace Bay, N.S., Moncton, St. John's, Saguenay, Que. and Kitchener, Ont.

With files from Bob Mersereau

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