National Post - Leonard Cohen talks women, age & Hallelujah

[News Gal]

'the heart is always opening and closing'.............. wow, no one can say it like Leonard can.

A very Quebecois way of wording things. He definitely has Montreal still in his blood. They have a certain way of using English that I always found fascinating.

[dick]

He is forthcoming and engaged, if not a chatterbox. He is economical with his words and seems entirely preoccupied with making sure I am well fed and happy. He’s already my kindest uncle and my hippest friend.

As the fortunate beneficary of a brief visit with Leonard, I think the quote captures how a visitor feels quite well. It happens from the instant he says hello.

Thanks for calling the article to our attention good Doctor -- look forward to the audio and video web material next month.

Dick

[DrHGuy]

Those outside the reach of the CBC, like me, may not yet have an appreciation of Jian Ghomeshi's (whose interview with Leonard Cohen for CBC's Q will be broadcast in April) skills as an interviewer. Happily, YouTube has batches of these available, and at least those I sampled were impressive. Sure, they would be much better if Jian were older and not so good-looking, but he will outgrow those problems someday.

I know some but not all forum frequenters recognize Jian Ghomeshi from his days as a singer-songwriter for Moxy Früvous, your basic 1990s politically savvy, socially aware, culturally relevant, allusion-heavy, literate, preferentially satirical Canadian band with a heavy folk influence and a non-exclusive predilection for a Capella singing. YouTube has some videos of that group as well, and if you haven't heard that group, you should. Their best known song is "King of Spain," but my personal favorite is "My Baby Loves a Bunch of Authors."

You can find lots of choices on YouTube. I've posted, as examples of Ghomeshi's work, the Q interviews with John Malkovich and Super Dave Osborne as well as the Moxy Früvous rendition of "My Baby Loves a Bunch of Authors" at http://1heckofaguy.com/2009/03/22/jian- ... vous-to-q/

[Adrian]

Now, be there any Moxy Fruvous covers performed on the ukelele?

From what I've heard/seen, Jian Ghomeshi invariably rises to the level of his subject - which makes his interview with Leonard Cohen a very special occasion indeed ( :

[Eskimo]

a CBS Sunday Morning feature on Moxy Fruvous from '00:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPeenwXGfZo

[imaginary friend]

Great writing! Can't wait to see/hear the interview.

I 'fess I'd never heard of Moxy Fruvous; thanks so much for the intro. Energy and fun to spare.

[Sochijava]

Great article, thanks for posting it. I must admit to avoiding the National Post like the plague normally ...

I listen to parts Jian's programme Q most mornings as I'm at home with young children at the moment. I like him, but after reading that article I think I appreciate him even more. I am very much looking forward to seeing the interview.

My favourite Moxy Fruvous song is also My Baby Loves a Bunch of Authors. Classic.

Paula

[deedee7]

What a fantastic article! Thank you so much for posting it for those of us not in Canada. I shall certainly look out for the podcast.

I am also a little envious and wish I could have been present, at the interview, just to be there and listen....

[lizzytysh]

Thanks so much for posting this interview, DrHGuy. I've just now gotten the chance to read this thread. I love their exchanges. Leonard is quintessential in so many ways and what a blessing for interviewers when they capture it.


~ Lizzy