On Sunday I had the great pleasure of seeing Leonard Cohen in concert at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis. I'd heard some recordings of his concerts this tour and I was really impressed by them, but nothing compares to actually being there and seeing him on stage. He was amazing and nothing short of perfect Sunday. He got on stage around 8, and finished around 11:15, which for a 74 year old guy is quite impressive. If you get a chance to see him, take the opportunity, this is most likely his last tour, and a living historical figure that should not be missed. The following download is 2 sets he performed in 1968 at the BBC, the sound quality is great and the performance is one of his best in my opinion.
Leonard Cohen Live At The Beeb
8-31-68
You Know Who I Am
Bird On The Wire
The Stranger Song
So Long Marianne
The Master Song
9-7-68
There's No Reason Why You Should Remember Me (Improvisation)
Teachers
Sisters Of Mercy
Dress Rehearsal Rag
Suzanne
Hey, That's No Way To Say Goodbye
Story Of Isaac
One Of Us Cannot Be Wrong
Bonus Tracks
Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye (1-27-68)
Bird on the Wire; So Long Marianne; You Know Who I Am (8-11-68)
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Leonard Cohen
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Leonard Cohen- Songs Of
At a time when a growing number of pop songwriters were embracing a more explicitly poetic approach in their lyrics, the 1967 debut album from Leonard Cohen introduced a songwriter who, rather than being inspired by "serious" literature, took up music after establishing himself as a published author and poet. The ten songs on Songs of Leonard Cohen were certainly beautifully constructed, artful in a way few (if any) other lyricists would approach for some time, but what's most striking about these songs isn't Cohen's technique, superb as it is, so much as his portraits of a world dominated by love and lust, rage and need, compassion and betrayal. While the relationship between men and women was often the framework for Cohen's songs (he didn't earn the nickname "the master of erotic despair" for nothing), he didn't write about love; rather, Cohen used the never-ending thrust and parry between the sexes as a jumping off point for his obsessive investigation of humanity's occasional kindness and frequent atrocities (both emotional and physical). Cohen's world view would be heady stuff at nearly any time and place, but coming in a year when pop music was only just beginning to be taken seriously, Songs of Leonard Cohen was a truly audacious achievement, as bold a challenge to pop music conventions as the other great debut of the year, The Velvet Underground & Nico, and a nearly perfectly realized product of his creative imagination. Producer John Simon added a touch of polish to Cohen's songs with his arrangements (originally Cohen wanted no accompaniment other than his guitar), though the results don't detract from his dry but emotive vocals; instead, they complement his lyrics with a thoughtful beauty and give the songs even greater strength. And a number of Cohen's finest songs appeared here, including the luminous "Suzanne," the subtly venomous "Master Song" and "Sisters of Mercy," which would later be used to memorable effect in Robert Altman's film McCabe and Mrs. Miller. Many artists work their whole career to create a work as singular and accomplished as Songs of Leonard Cohen, and Cohen worked this alchemy the first time he entered a recording studio; few musicians have ever created a more remarkable or enduring debut.
Sisters Of Mercy
Suzanne
Leonard Cohen.com *** CD's *** eMusic *** Hype Machine
Monday, October 8, 2007
Chelsea Hotel
The Chelsea Hotel has long been known as a "flop house" for authors, actors and singers. Some of the most prestigious people ever have stayed there, from Dylan Thomas to Bob Dylan to The Andy Warhol Superstars. It even served as a refuge for some of the Titanic survivors for a while. The hotel is often referenced in pop culture, such as films, book and of course, music. Some of the most famous songs by Bob Dylan were written during his time at the Chelsea (Sad Eyed Lady Of The Lowlands to name just one), and the list goes on and on. Here are just a few songs that reference the Chelsea Hotel in some form.
Elvis Costello- (I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea
Counting Crows- Chelsea
Leonard Cohen.com ***** Elvis Costello.com ***** Counting Crows.com
Leonard Cohen CD's ***** Elvis Costello CD's ***** Counting Crows CD's
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Hallelujah
Arguably, Leonard Cohen's most well known song is "Hallelujah". It is one of the most covered songs, as well as one of the most used songs in television and movies. Although Cohen's version may be the original, for my money the most powerful version is Jeff Buckley's. Rufus Wainwright also does a very good rendition of it, and his version was slated to be used in the movie Shrek, but ultimately John Cale's version was used in the film, although Wainwright's was used on the official soundtrack.
Leonard Cohen- Hallelujah
Jeff Buckley- Hallelujah
Rufus Wainwright- Hallelujah
Leonard Cohen.com ***** Jeff Buckley.com ***** Rufus Wainwright.com
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Leonard Cohen CD's ***** Jeff Buckley CD's ***** Rufus Wainwright CD's
