I wouldn't say I'm an ardent Leonard Cohen fan but, presented with a cast of players of such calibre, this was a night that proved impossible to resist.

A kind of sophisticated Pop Idol for Guardian readers, an impressive host of special guests included the likes of Nick Cave, Beth Orton, Laurie Anderson and Jarvis Cocker.

All were invited along to give their interpretation of Leonard Cohen's songs. The difference here was every participant, in varying degrees, really did have something very special to give.

Which meant it was the audience rather than anyone on stage that were the true winners.

This was a treat which lasted about three hours. At times, things lagged somewhat but there were more than enough moments of greatness to make up for it.

Looking lovely in a pale pink dress and knee-high socks, Beth Orton not only made you want to rethink your wardrobe but her beautiful rendition of Sisters Of Mercy melted the heart.

More impressive was that even while her legs were slim, both Nick Cave's and Jarvis Cocker's skinny pins combined would have fitted inside hers - not that this detracted from their appeal.

Clutching lyric sheet in his hand, Nick launched himself around the stage like a kind of cartoon Stone Age man decked out in a suit. His emotive version of Suzanne really hit home.

Notable too were the Handsome Family, who brought their robust and rounded, new-country take on affairs but also legendary folkies the McGarrigle sisters - along with Kate McGarrigle's offspring, Rufus and Martha Wainwright.

Two truly bright rising stars, Martha's take on Traitor was all gutsy Cerys Matthews and passionate aplomb while Rufus's bombastic campery got straight to the heart of Everybody Knows.

To really cap it all, backing vocals were provided by Cohen's original singers, Julie Christensen and Perla Batalla, the latter of whose Bird on a Wire brought the house down. That along with the almost Band-Aid style finale of Don't Go Home With Your Hard-On. With a night this good, let's just hope no one did.