Leonard Cohen

[johncorrigan]

So many memories of old friends tied in with the great man. Rest on peacefully, you genius.

[Stunsworth]

The café in Leeds University had a jukebox in it when I was a student in the mid 70s. I think I played Suzanne every time I went there.

Another of the singers from my youth has gone. More alas to follow.

[antongould]

So many memories of old friends tied in with the great man. Rest on peacefully, you genius.

Indeed well said JC .....

[kernelbogey]

I've been a latecomer to his music in the last couple of years, or less: somehow I didn't connect with him earlier in life.

Still a great loss.

[CallMePaul]

http://leonardcohen.com/news

https://www.theguardian.com/music/live/2016/nov/11/leonard-cohen-death-tributes-singer-songwriter-live

I came across LC aged about 19, listening to his first album at a friend's house. By the second hearing I was hooked and have bought all his studio albums except Recent songs, which I must find sometime. I heard him live twice - at the Liverpool Empire in the early 70s and again at the Manchester Arena during his world tour in 2008. I will be p[laying some of his songs later. In view of her recent passing, So Long, Marianne seems an appropriate tribute, also Dance Me to the End of Love and most of his latest album. I also hope that there will be reissues of his early poetry.

RIP Leonard - you are missed.

[Lat-Literal]

Very sad news.

[richardfinegold]

I was t a Judy Collins Concert a few years ago and she sang many of his songs and telling stories about him. Were they ever a couple?

[cloughie]

I remember the first two LPs - they weren't called albums in the late sixties - and being totally taken by them - I only wish I could put words together the way he did - his own plus Judy Collins wonderful interpretations of his songs still transfix me. In later years the deepening of his voice added an extra dimension. Thanks to his financial advisers messing up we were blessed with the bonus of continuing performances and new songs from him right to the end. Thank you Len, RIP

[Stanley Stewart]

Sad, sad, sad. Farewell, pioneer of the gruff voice and so many memorable lyrics over more than 50 years. RIP

[cloughie]

I don't know but 'Dress Rehearsal Rag' on her 'In my life' album paints one of the most graphic picture of someone whose means are never likely to be worse.

[Serial_Apologist]

Christine Tobin singinging One Thousand Kisses Deep, accompanied by Liam Noble:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUiyD9T9hiY

[Conchis]

I was t a Judy Collins Concert a few years ago and she sang many of his songs and telling stories about him. Were they ever a couple?

Apparently not. Judy tells a story about never wanting to get involved with him because of his 'wayward' character.

Michelle Phillips of the Mamas and Papas was once involved with him, though.

[johncorrigan]

Excuse me if I repeat something that I put in a post elsewhere on these pages a few weeks back, and which I found most interesting; a quote from an article about LC where Dylan, a known admirer talks about Leonard Cohen?
Dylan, who is seventy-five, doesn’t often play the role of music critic, but he proved eager to discuss Leonard Cohen. I put a series of questions to him about Number 1 (Cohen), and he answered in a detailed, critical way—nothing cryptic or elusive.

“When people talk about Leonard, they fail to mention his melodies, which to me, along with his lyrics, are his greatest genius,” Dylan said. “Even the counterpoint lines—they give a celestial character and melodic lift to every one of his songs. As far as I know, no one else comes close to this in modern music. Even the simplest song, like ‘The Law,’ which is structured on two fundamental chords, has counterpoint lines that are essential, and anybody who even thinks about doing this song and loves the lyrics would have to build around the counterpoint lines.

“His gift or genius is in his connection to the music of the spheres,” Dylan went on. “In the song ‘Sisters of Mercy,’ for instance, the verses are four elemental lines which change and move at predictable intervals . . . but the tune is anything but predictable. The song just comes in and states a fact. And after that anything can happen and it does, and Leonard allows it to happen. His tone is far from condescending or mocking. He is a tough-minded lover who doesn’t recognize the brush-off. Leonard’s always above it all. ‘Sisters of Mercy’ is verse after verse of four distinctive lines, in perfect meter, with no chorus, quivering with drama. The first line begins in a minor key. The second line goes from minor to major and steps up, and changes melody and variation. The third line steps up even higher than that to a different degree, and then the fourth line comes back to the beginning. This is a deceptively unusual musical theme, with or without lyrics. But it’s so subtle a listener doesn’t realize he’s been taken on a musical journey and dropped off somewhere, with or without lyrics.”
If you want to read the article, which I found fascinating, released just prior to his final record, it's here on the New Yorker website.

http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/20...ith%20Photo%20

[Conchis]

Unwelcome news but it doesn't come as a total surprise. He looked very frail in his last interview - a long way from the still very spry and energetic figure he'd cut on his last world tour in 2013.

One of my favourite artists. I've been a fan since I was seventeen, back at a time when he was deeply unfashionable. I'm so glad he lived to see himself get his just desserts and receive acclaim as one of the greats.

And I can't be said, when I think about the exemplary way he lived his life - going back on the road to recoup his money when most other people would have descended into litigious bitching - and giving us three valedictory albums we might not otherwise have had. An example to us all: one of the most positive people who ever lived.

Apparently, no-one who knew him had a bad word to say about him, either. Our loss, but what treasures he's left us. :)