Kevin's Watch

I couldn't find a thread for Leonard here in Vespers so I thought I'd start one. I'm a big fan and have been for many years and he has a new album out at the moment so he's in the news a bit right now.

I'd been a fan of one of his greatest hits albums, The Best of Leonard Cohen (1975), for many years and also I'm Your Man (1988) but then I was given Ten New Songs (2001) as a present and although it was a slow-burner, over a number of months and innumerable listens it proceeded to blow my socks off. Then when I got my first MP3 player I was only able to load it and Dylan's Time Out of Mind (1997) onto it. My God! What good fortune. Two of the best albums I now know of and I had no choice but to listen to them for six months or more.

I was delighted when I heard that he was going to tour again because I knew it would be like a Ten New Songs tour. I saw him in 2008 when he came to Dublin and it is one of the most profoundly spiritual experiences I have ever had. Even before he started singing I was blown away by the riches his voice contains.

I also recently saw the re-released Bird on a Wire documentary of his tour of Europe in 1972. It is a remarkable and touching record of someone in the middle of a spiritual crisis and confirmed that what I can hear in his voice now has had a long gestation.

A thing that frustrates me a bit is the tendency for the media to categorise Leonard Cohen as a writer and singer of depressive downbeat music when, IMO, he is now one of the wisest and spiritually uplifting musical artists around.

I am interested to hear what others on the Watch think of him, what songs of his you like etc.

u.

Julie and I are huge fans. we both love Hallelujah of course.

my favorite is likely Chelsea Hotel #2, sucvh sadness, such weariness.

Bird on a Wire, Sisters of Mercy, the Future... the list goes on and on.

if you enjoy Cohen's writing then may i suggest Josh Ritter? very similar at times in worldview. and sheer poetry of language.

i came to leonard late. of course i'd heard of him, knew lots of people who were very into him, had heard suzanne, hallelujah, etc...but had never hooked into the leonard thing myself. i don't now even know how he finally got on my radar but i love him now. better late than never, eh?

(also i think he's HOT!!)

here's one of my favorites


Waiting for the Miracle

Baby, I've been waiting,
I've been waiting night and day.
I didn't see the time,
I waited half my life away.
There were lots of invitations
and I know you sent me some,
but I was waiting
for the miracle, for the miracle to come.
I know you really loved me.
but, you see, my hands were tied.
I know it must have hurt you,
it must have hurt your pride
to have to stand beneath my window
with your bugle and your drum,
and me I'm up there waiting
for the miracle, for the miracle to come.

Ah I don't believe you'd like it,
You wouldn't like it here.
There ain't no entertainment
and the judgements are severe.
The Maestro says it's Mozart
but it sounds like bubble gum
when you're waiting
for the miracle, for the miracle to come.

Waiting for the miracle
There's nothing left to do.
I haven't been this happy
since the end of World War II.

Nothing left to do
when you know that you've been taken.
Nothing left to do
when you're begging for a crumb
Nothing left to do
when you've got to go on waiting
waiting for the miracle to come.

I dreamed about you, baby.
It was just the other night.
Most of you was naked
Ah but some of you was light.
The sands of time were falling
from your fingers and your thumb,
and you were waiting
for the miracle, for the miracle to come

Ah baby, let's get married,
we've been alone too long.
Let's be alone together.
Let's see if we're that strong.
Yeah let's do something crazy,
something absolutely wrong
while we're waiting
for the miracle, for the miracle to come.

Nothing left to do ...

When you've fallen on the highway
and you're lying in the rain,
and they ask you how you're doing
of course you'll say you can't complain --
If you're squeezed for information,
that's when you've got to play it dumb:
You just say you're out there waiting
for the miracle, for the miracle to come.


also i love I'm Your Man.

sgt.null wrote:if you enjoy Cohen's writing then may i suggest Josh Ritter? very similar at times in worldview. and sheer poetry of language.

I saw Josh Ritter play once, circa 2002. He did a cover of 'Chelsea Hotel No.2'. He has a great voice but I never really followed him subsequently. I'll have a listen to some stuff on Youtube. Any suggestions, Sarge?

lucimay wrote:(also i think he's HOT!!)

A few women said the same to me after the concert in 2008. Not bad for a 74 (now 78 ) year-old!

u.

re : Josh Ritter my faves...

Harrisburg (with Ramblin' Man)

Kathleen

Wings

Roll On

Otherside

that will get you started... the lyrics are all stunning, but Wings is my favorite.

Thanks, Sarge. I'll check those out.

One of my friends has bought the new album, Old Ideas, so when I get a listen I'll let you know how it has shaped up. It is supposed to be good and I have better hopes for it than Dear Heather because the songs were written while Leonard was touring.

Dear Heather was written not long after Ten New Songs and felt the poorer for it. I have the album, which I never listen to, and when I saw him in concert he didn't do a single song from it, which I think is his own critical comment on it. I'd love if someone was able to get me into some of the songs, so if anyone has a favourite off this album let me know and I'll give it another whirl.

u.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6o6zMPLcXZ8

[Leonard Cohen: Suzanne]

RIP, Leonard. Thanks for all the music.

"Hineni, hineni!"

I already feared fo the worst when I heard these words a few das ago.

EVERYBODY KNOWS
(Written by Leonard Cohen, Sharon Robinson)

Everybody knows that the dice are loaded.
Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed.
Everybody knows the war is over.
Everybody knows the good guys lost.
Everybody knows the fight was fixed.
The poor stay poor, the rich get rich.
That's how it goes.
Everybody knows.

Everybody knows that the boat is leaking.
Everybody knows that the captain lied.
Everybody got this broken feeling.
Like their father or their dog just died.
Everybody talking to their pockets.
Everybody wants a box of chocolates,
And a long-stem rose.
Everybody knows.

Everybody knows that you love me, Baby.
Everybody knows that you really do.
Everybody knows that you've been faithful.
Ah, give or take a night or two.
Everybody knows you've been discreet.
But there were so many people you just had to meet
Without your clothes.
And everybody knows.

Everybody knows, everybody knows.
That's how it goes.
Everybody knows

Everybody knows, everybody knows
That's how it goes.
Everybody knows.

And everybody knows that it's now or never.
Everybody knows that it's me or you.
And everybody knows that you live forever,
Ah, when you've done a line or two.
Everybody knows the deal is rotten.
Old Black Joe's still pickin' cotton
For your ribbons and bows.
And everybody knows.

And everybody knows that the Plague is coming.
Everybody knows that it's moving fast.
Everybody knows that the naked man and woman
Are just a shining artifact of the past.
Everybody knows the scene is dead.
There's gonna be a meter on your bed
That will disclose
What everybody knows.

And everybody knows that you're in trouble.
Everybody knows what you've been through.
From the bloody cross on top of Calvary,
To the beach of Malibu.
Everybody knows it's coming apart.
Take one last look at this Sacred Heart
Before it blows.
And everybody knows.

Everybody knows, everybody knows.
That's how it goes.
Everybody knows.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lin-a2lTelg