For some reason, my speaker is again working, so I finally got to watch Brian Orser skate to "The Story of My Life" ~ Neil really has a gentle, sweet sincerity in his voice, doesn't he? I liked how at the end of Brian's program, they commented how skating has always been his life. Maybe I'll come across him skating to "Headed for the Future," too. YouTube is a forest one can easily get lost in. Lightning commented on that some time ago, but I was stronger then .
Gotta go... need to leave here in 25 minutes.
~ Lizzy
"Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken." ~ Oscar Wilde
I've been finding and listening to various covers of 'Hallelujah'. There are some interesting interpretations of it but amazingly I haven't found one that tops the 'Unplugged' version. Even Bon Jovi's live versions aren't as good. Jon seems to have a little trouble remembering which verse he's on. (That's okay Jon, you're still hot )
If you check k.d. lang 's version of Hallelujah on Hymns Of The 49th Parallel, it might interest you. There was a link to Canadian Public Radio or NPR that had a "live" version. I'll try to find it and get it to you.
First a caution --- if you use LC as a litmus test, I fear you will be shocked at how many otherwise wonderful folks in the USA will respond.... "who?" Give them a break, and provide them with some music and this website link.
My first LC that had mid-life impact was "Natural Born Killers" -- Waiting for The Miracle, a touch of Anthem, and full version of the Future over the credits, changed my life. The Future is a must. No albums can be left off over time. But as others have suggested, Essential is a good way to get an overivew, and then I suggest aternating old and new, because the Cohen genius keeps popping up in differing styles throughout his career. Not a stinker in the bunch.
Have all albums, books, but best of all .... many wonderful friends met at Cohen fan gatherings around the world.... from folks who first met here and then in person in Montreal 00, Hydra 02, New York 04, Berlin 06 -- and anticipation now for Edmonton 08. Great time with mini groups also -- Toronto most recent for us, and now hoping we may make London in October --- Hope you will follow the gatherings, and come join some great people at something. Look forward to meeting you.
Beware the addiction! But embrace it as one of the most positive you may ever encounter.
Oh .. my wife, Linda, thinks Rufus does the best Hallelujah ...... other than Leonard of course.
Finally.. thanks for your post. I'm really happy Bon Jovi, as so many others, bring new fans to Leonard's magic.
--- if you use LC as a litmus test, I fear you will be shocked at how many otherwise wonderful folks in the USA will respond.... "who?"
dick-Have no fear, the litmus test is not whether or not someone has heard of LC, it's whether or not they can appreciate his work. It's kind of like how I chose my tag. I stole it from Steven Wright. I'm constantly amazed at how many people don't laugh. I think it may be the best string of five words I've ever seen/heard.
kokenpere - I love k.d. and liked her cover. She has such an amazing voice. I heard her years ago on a TV tribute to Roy Oribison and they did 'Crying' together. As far as I'm concerned she's the only other person on the planet that should be allowed to cover that song. She's perfect.
That's the cool thing about music. The good stuff stands the test of time and via hundreds of artist interpretations it reaches more and more people. Our musical tastes are defined by our life experience and what may be heaven to one will be 'nails on a chalkboard' to another. That's one of the reasons I listen to as many versions as I can get my hands on. There's no single 'right' way to interpret a piece of music. I remember when 'Switched-On Bach' first came out. People who had never liked classical music suddenly became interested. And for some it was just what they needed. It made Bach's music accessible to the so-called untrained ear.
Across time, I have heard many surprizing, delightful, and pleasurable covers of Leonard's songs. When it comes to music, personal taste is a huge factor. Leonard is such a master of silence and nuance; melding of voice, word, and meaning; he has written songs whose meanings he is the most acutely aware of; he has structured the music that fits best according to his meaning; and his voice is a factor he has taken into account when writing them. It is Leonard's voice, musical accompaniment, and delivery that I prefer most with his songs. I loved "Hallelujah" by kd lang when I first heard it; it's noble and soaring. When I saw her sing it on the Canadian Singer and Songwriter's Awards, I loved it still. She sings it from her heart.
With the controversy that surrounds Anjani and Leonard's album "Blue Alert," I'll comment on that, too. Anjani took the reins with the song and what she did with Leonard's lyrics suited him more than what he had in mind. He trusted her with the rest and loved the outcome. Leonard loves Anjani; and, though some like to suggest otherwise, he retains his objectivity. The songs are spare, yet full; very melodic and individually highly memorable. Leonard gave the results his gold seal of approval. I don't listen to their album with a split mind of pleasure and disappointment [and, of course, I love what Leonard adds when he joins in duets with her]... for me, however, as a creating and performing artist, Anjani has moved into her own space.
What Anjani chose to do with Leonard's words is sublime; and I feel that anyone who will ever have the pleasure of seeing her sing them in person will understand. Leonard would not have allowed this album to come out of the recording studio if he felt any concern regarding what she had done with his words. The Jazz Police may be Her Man, but he's no less exacting than he ever was... the means of this album coming into existence and that Leonard chose Anjani's interpretations over anything he would have done, for me makes this a non sequitur. Likewise, what Jennifer Warnes did with "Song of Bernadette" is one, as well. They're also not really covers. Now, it looks like I'll be preferring Anjani's originals. They've imbedded, the same as Leonard's did.
~ Lizzy
"Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken." ~ Oscar Wilde
lizzytysh wrote:
.... Leonard would not have allowed this album (Blue Alert) to come out of the recording studio if he felt any concern regarding what she had done with his words. .....
~ Lizzy
Agree, hence I like her, as she's been 'vetted' by LC, so the songs are an end-product with which both agree.
Maybe I'm too narrow-minded, but I just think a lot of the cover versions are just pretty bad in my opinion, because the singers either can't sing or just trying to hard to be something they're not.
On the question of Song of bernadette. It's my understanding, from interviews given by Jennifer Warnes, that, for the most part, the lyrics of that song were hers. That it is a true collaboration, not er cover of a completely Leonard song. Certainly the lyrics suggest she had a large input - experientially and biographically.
I may have forgotten that she participated in the writing of the lyrics. My understanding was that the song written by Leonard was based on her life situation with her name.
~ Lizzy
"Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken." ~ Oscar Wilde
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Love it!
