relation Cohen-chansonniers, does Cohen know Barbara's work

Antonio · Post by **Antonio** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 3:29 am

Lightning:

I wish you'd explain your last post. I need a context to understand it. Of course "chaque ane a son gout" mais, que c´est que tu veux dire avec cela? Si'l vous plaît d´être plus explicite, je vous en prie

Antonio

lightning · Post by **lightning** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 4:03 am

Leonard Cohen expressed a liking for Piaf and acknowledged Brel but never ,as far as I know, said anything about Barbara. He would know enough French to appreciate her, wouldn't he?

Antonio · Post by **Antonio** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 5:04 am

Lightning:

I really don't understand what you're talking about; maybe Cohen does not know Barbara, he is not infalible nor omnipresent... for example, I am Spanish and I know well the work of Morente, but, dear friends, he is really not the best of the flamenco singers. The best flamenco singers are unknown and Mr Cohen have probably not heard about Chocolate or Agujetas, and many others. He only knows the famous Morente and some others, also famous.
Maybe you suggest BArbara is not good enough cause Cohen does not mention her?
And sorry, but I find this thing: "Chaque ane a son gout", quite offensive, don't you think?

Antonio · Post by **Antonio** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 5:09 am

Lightning:

I am a bit surprised with your last posts, I will like a larger explanation; I really can't believe you have written "Chaque ane a son gout". I expected better arguments

lightning · Post by **lightning** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 6:03 am

That's a little joke I learned as a teenager. Only a prig would take offense. That isn't you, is it?

Antonio · Post by **Antonio** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 6:35 am

Lightning:

you win; I abandon the forum

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 3:33 pm

I abandon the forum

The thread maybe ~ but NOT the Forum! Not over this ~ merely disagreement that took various twists and turns, but not major, in the scheme of things! You have FAR too much to offer to simply depart! Perhaps, as I've noticed with some others, "forum" and "thread"/"section" are synonymous, and that's all you meant. I certainly hope so!

~ Lizzy

ForYourSmile · Post by **ForYourSmile** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 8:47 pm

I cannot believe it! Come on!

First, I do not believe that anybody of us could assure if Cohen does not know the work of Barbara. Second, the comparisons between singers of the "chanson francaise" just show our preferences. Third, Antonio introduces himself as a passionate admirer of Barbara, is it polite to dismiss her?

I am grateful for the beautiful lyric of Barbara that lightning posted, but I do not understand the joke, well, anyway, as someone repeats here, this is a free world...

Kevin W.M.LastYearsMan · Sat Jan 07, 2006 10:51 pm

Antonio, et al,

I was interesting to read everything about Barbara. I, like many Americans, had not heard of her before. She was a very striking woman to look at as I can see from that picture.

This type of thread is part of the reson that I love this forum. The fact that I can be exposed to other cultures and artists who have made a great impression on people in other countries. So, Antonio, I hope that you stay around and let us know about other artists or cultural things that interest you which will broaden my horizons. If not, it will be a loss.

Also, there's no reason to be sorry about your english. I know many "english speaking" people who can't type it as fluently as you.

I took french in high school, but it's not like I could go to France and survive unaided with what I learned. That is one thing that impresses me a gread deal about people on the board so far. Most of them know english well enough to write with it and I don't know a word of some of their languages.
Walt Whitman said, "Geography is destiny." But with the help of some posts like this thread, I'm fortunately getting to learn some things and maybe cover some of the distance between me and the rest of the world. That's how I look at it. So I wouldn't rag on someone for enjoying one French singer over another one.
Kevin

ForYourSmile · Post by **ForYourSmile** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 2:14 am

This evening we have been going to see the film "Maria Bethânia: Música è perfume" of Georges Gachot.

Coming back to house with my wife we were chatting about singing and interpreting: Maria Bethânia interprets the songs from the deepest of her soul, feeling each word, each silence, as Barbara, as Leonard Cohen.

In Brazil, America, there is extraordinary music, too.

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 2:33 am

Dear FYS ~

Your Maria Bethania has a magnificent, earthy beauty. I'd love to hear her sing.

I, like you, Kevin feel the same about this Forum, for the reasons you've stated, as well as many more.

~ Lizzy

Antonio · Post by **Antonio** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 7:17 pm

For your smile:

surprised to see you post a photo of another of my idols: Maria Bethania!!! Sure I was going to see the documental about her life and art. Brazil music is infinite: there are lots of great singer-composers. Caetano Veloso, who is Betania's brother, but also Joao Gilberto, Gilberto Gil, Chico Buarque de Hollanda, and so many others. A neverending story of tenderness and great songs!

Kevin W.M.LastYearsMan · Sun Jan 08, 2006 8:37 pm

Lizzy,
Many more reasons for me, also. I was just trying to keep it short and to the point.

For your smile,
Of course, I always keep my ears open for music from Brazil.

Blame it on the bossanova.
Kevin

Tchocolatl · Post by **Tchocolatl** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 9:34 pm

Antonio. Don't worry, it is just jungle law here sometimes. Often, it is not the truth the important thing : it is to be the strongest (to "win"). Very boring game in my eyes. So. Only people (not monkeys or donkeys) with an active brain and an active heart can make the difference. Si chaque âne a son goût

chaque être humain a ses préférences.

Antonio · Post by **Antonio** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 5:57 pm

Foryoursmile and all of you:

the film about Maria Bethânia is a gem; some songs are deeply moving, with this sometimes sharply contrast beetween tenderness and force tipycal of her way of singing. Gilberto Gil really talks about her with a great sense of appreciation, and so does Caetano and Chico Buarque.

Jorge Luis Borges said beauty is common, that you can find it in every culture, in every language, if you have the chance and if the stars are propice. Brasil, but also Cuba and Argentina (with the great tango singers) have been granted with this beauty; they are plenty of it.

Best wishes