Thursday, January 13, 2011

Leonard Cohen - The Legend

If you are very wide awake, you might have noticed two additions to my sidebar.
Both are quotes of Leonard Cohen.
Leonard Cohen.
I can't believe he has been singing, writing poetry and books most of my life and I have only just heard of him!



Do you remember some time ago I mentioned going to a jazz evening a bunch of us had organized?
See http://alliechilling.blogspot.com/2010/11/all-that-jazz.html
It was amazing; even life changing.
DH went out and bought a big HD flat screen to mount on the wall and a blue ray sound system - purely because of what we experienced there.
We saw (and heard) many wonderful artists that night but it was Leonard Cohen who captivated us.
And he is76 years old!
And still mesmerising huge crowds wherever he goes.
Crowds of all ages. Who obviously adore him.

Then, a couple of days ago, DH brought home a dvd of a 4 day open air concert on the Isle of Wight in 1970 where he was the main attraction.
And we could see him in his prime.


He had that tortured, intense, burning depth that sets him apart and has made him a continuing legend.
HIs lyrics are amazing: he makes no effort to pander to the crowd.
He just quietly is who he is, and does what he does.
And it commands great respect, even from those wild kids.
He held the out of control hippy crowd (they set the stage on fire, literally!) in the palms of his hands.


He sure has a new fan - but you guessed that, hey?

6 comments:

cat said...

Oh Allie - he is one of my favorites! Go find the video on You Tube of "dance me to the end of time" (my fav song) - it is beautiful.

Also, and I should not keep doing this, but maybe you want to read this post of mine, based on that song: http://juggelingactoflife.blogspot.com/search?q=dance+me+to+the+end+of+time

BTW, Matthys Roets has great Leonard Cohen interpretations.

allie. said...

Hi Cat!
Thanks for the link - I will certainly go there.
I have spent quite a bit of time reading up on him on Google: his quotes, some lyrics - stuff like that.
I am also very interested in his spiritual journey - He is a believing Jew, has spent 5 years in a Zen monastry, and sings profound words about Jesus.
Words that, in my understanding, could only be sung by someone who knows Him.

So I am fascinated.
Hope to get more light on it thrugh some of the knowledgable people around.

Pardon my ignorance, but can you explain your last sentence? Not sure what thats about.
Sanks.

Trix's Mix said...

He is soooo talented and will stay a classic and forever green! :)

Anonymous said...

He has a new fan in me too since seeing that DVD at your place. He is awesome. Caio. Lx

Joanne said...

I remember him well from my teen years.

cat said...

Hi Allie, Matthys Roets is a manily Afrikaans singer (in a wheelchair now) - he has recorded many of Leonard Cohen's songs in his own style. They are beautiful - look out for his version of Hallelujah.