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Message |
    
Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 935
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, December 2, 2004 - 5:02 pm: |     |
Beyond Suzanne and Bird on a Wire?
Just curious...just bought a couple of CD compilations, to replace a vast but warped record collection. Listened to his Allelujah right after Rufus Wainwright's. Too cool!
And then, on a couple of songs, he was sounding kinda like Jonathon Richmond and the Modern Lovers. Or, a way more melodious (believe it or don't) Bob Dylan.
Anyway, just wondering if anyone out there was a fan. Actually used one of his poems in my wedding years ago when I was a hippie! |
Brett Weir
Citizen
Username: Brett_weir
Post Number: 444
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, December 2, 2004 - 5:41 pm: | |
Must admit I'm a fan of the old stuff and I haven't kept up. But what a classic album "Songs of Leonard Cohen" is. I still watch "McCabe & Mrs. Miller" because of Cohen's songs blending so beautifully with the story. |
Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 940
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, December 2, 2004 - 6:22 pm: | |
I haven't kept up either! I think the last album I'd bought was New Skin for the Old Ceremony.
But, then I heard Rufus W do Allelujah, had a few bucks while in BestBuy, and bought some compilations. I love McCabe & Mrs. Miller, too.
Some of it sounds strangely modern and topical!! Especially the kinda war related stuff, which with LC always has lots of Old Testament imagery. You should dig him out and play it! |
Joe
Citizen
Username: Gonets
Post Number: 507
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, December 2, 2004 - 6:29 pm: | |
Have you heard Jeff Buckley's version of Allelujah? Great stuff. He was such a tremendous young talent. His poor mother lost her husband and 2 sons, all at young ages in seperate incidents. |
Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 942
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, December 2, 2004 - 6:35 pm: | |
I had his dad's album! Now, I've not heard it but I'll check Napster or something. I really like that song. And now, I'm on this Leonard Cohen groove in the car.
Mixed with a Madonna greatest hits. Go figure...My husband and I agree on John Prine, Leonard Cohen, Louden Wainright, K D Lang, Patsy Cline and a few others. |
Brett Weir
Citizen
Username: Brett_weir
Post Number: 447
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Friday, December 3, 2004 - 10:24 am: | |
Tim Buckley had a beautiful song called "Morning Glory" which Blood, Sweat & Tears did on "Child is the father to the Man".
Phil Ochs, Richard and Mimi Farina, The Blues Project are all great from the early 60's, all played big roles in the Village music scene.
Some were forerunners of Bob Dylan who took him under their wings (though some later regretted it- Dylan was often accused of pirating the material and sound of others, prompting the Farinas to write "Morgan the Pirate"). |
Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 944
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 3, 2004 - 11:48 am: | |
My husband is a big R/M Farina and Dylan fan; has the books, CDs, etc. Somehow I imagine he'll be getting that Chronicle thing for Christmas...
I think I remember the Morning Glory song (but my records are still in packing boxes....). Going to check it out, thanks! |
Pippi
Citizen
Username: Pippi
Post Number: 551
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 3, 2004 - 12:31 pm: | |
While I am HUGE fan of the Jeff Buckley version, k.d lang also does a great version of Hallelujah on her latest - Hymns from the 49th Parallel. It's all covers of Canadian artists' songs. |
Brett Weir
Citizen
Username: Brett_weir
Post Number: 449
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Friday, December 3, 2004 - 12:48 pm: | |
Cynical- I tried several times to read Richard Farina's book "Been Down So Long It Looks Like Up to Me", but it just didn't click. He died in a motorcycle crask on his way to a Book Release party in its honor. He was a fascinating guy, but you never knew which stories were real and which he made up. He did treat Dylan like a kid brother and felt betrayed by him later. I always thought his life would make a great indie film. |
melidere
Citizen
Username: Melidere
Post Number: 639
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 3, 2004 - 4:06 pm: | |
I'm a big Leonard Cohen fan, but i haven't kept much up-to-date either. A little later than "new skin" tho 
I could listen to the "i'm your man" album all day. Tower of song says it all:
I said to Hank Williams: how lonely does it get?
Hank Williams hasn't answered yet
But I hear him coughing all night long
A hundred floors above me
In the Tower of Song
|
nan
Citizen
Username: Nan
Post Number: 1566
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 3, 2004 - 9:40 pm: | |
Another Leonard Cohen fan here, although not as big a fan as a former neighbor who got a tattoo of The Future graphic. I like the sneer in his voice and the way his lyrics make me very nervous.
I've been told he's a hack by several people whose opinions I respect, but since I never claim to have any taste in music I don't have to worry about embarrassing myself in that department.
I also used to "dig" Richard Farinia and as a young teenager read "Been Down So Long It Feels like Up to Me" a gazillion times and found it to be a life altering experience. Can't remember a word of it now and I think I'd be a little afraid to attempt a reread. Now that might be embarrassing.
Ditto for Bob Dylan, although I did try to read some of that Cronicle at the book store. And don't even get me started on Joan Baez.
|
nan
Citizen
Username: Nan
Post Number: 1567
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 3, 2004 - 9:42 pm: | |
And BTW, I've heard LC is a MEGA super star in Israel. |
Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 947
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, December 4, 2004 - 6:57 am: | |
Hey, nan...I first came across LC in an anthology of contemporary poetry in like the 7th grade (Myth of Fingerprints, maybe?) Anyway, I've liked him forever. Yeah, at points the cooler kids made fun of him (I recall going a concert of his in Philly where all these lonely young women were singing along) as sort of a hack poet for lonely girls. But, what do they know?
All that struck me when re-listening to him is that he has persisted/lasted, he seems to be a reference for some newer young/hip kids. Screw the critics! They're just always lookin' for something new they can merchandize. Some of his lyrics/poems are really good. I think he's almost kind of sui generis. I kind of like the Old Testament references in his lyrics. I think he's just plain good (and Louden is probably jealous that his kid likes him!)
The Farinas get real old for me after a couple of plays. However, Melanie sounds strangely better than I remembered... |
nan
Citizen
Username: Nan
Post Number: 1570
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, December 4, 2004 - 7:23 am: | |
I wonder how many people once inspired by "I don't Eat Animals" are still vegetarians?
There's a polls I'd like to see! |
Innisowen
Citizen
Username: Innisowen
Post Number: 300
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Monday, December 6, 2004 - 11:06 pm: | |
A little "Sisters of Mercy" wouldn't hurt right about now... |
Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 959
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 7, 2004 - 6:05 am: | |
Feelin' kinda Bird on a Wire, personally... |
Soda
Citizen
Username: Soda
Post Number: 2087
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, December 9, 2004 - 8:42 pm: | |
Loved Leonard Cohen back in the 60's, then sorta forgot him. Came back to him via Jennifer Warnes
 , who was also tight with Mimi Farina in those days  .
Still love Jennifer, who's got a new CD out, called "The Well". She's great!
 |
compsy
Citizen
Username: Compsy
Post Number: 158
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, December 9, 2004 - 9:18 pm: | |
I'll resist going in the old 60's music direction, and instead ask if you ever read Leonard Cohen's book, "Beautiful Losers." I did a long time ago, can't remember much about it, but I think I enjoyed it. (That's 3 or 4 decades ago, now....) |
Soda
Citizen
Username: Soda
Post Number: 2090
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 10, 2004 - 9:29 am: | |
"can't remember much about it, but I think I enjoyed it." -- Pretty much sums up my sentiments on the 60's...
-s.
BTW: Never read the book. |
Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 970
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 10, 2004 - 3:11 pm: | |
compsy, was that the one with Catherine Takewitha (or something like that), with the protagonist who was kind of obsessed with this Canadian Native American saint? |
Innisowen
Citizen
Username: Innisowen
Post Number: 306
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Friday, December 10, 2004 - 6:21 pm: | |
Kateri Tekakwitha? |
compsy
Citizen
Username: Compsy
Post Number: 160
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 22, 2004 - 10:31 pm: | |
can't remember....but if it was, I'm sure I liked her!  |
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