Just heard Lenny Cohen's new song, 'Going Home'.

I like Cohen's songs... as long as somebody else sings them.

I saw him a year or two ago, doing an outdoor concert in a vineyard in country Australia. Hadn't been a fan before then (I save most of my trembling adoration for Cecilia Bartoli and her lot) though I'd liked the couple of songs I had heard: but oh! that concert! I left in a state of spineless, weak-kneed devotion.

In the strictest sense, maybe he can't sing for nuts - but god he can perform. His musicality is second to none.

And his lyrics have really won me over, too.

*sigh*

Come back to us, Leonard! We miss you...

Hmm. I've never seen him live, just heard the recordings. Perhaps I shall have to take my dad to a concert the next time Cohen's in town if the performance is that good.

Isn't it strange how some performers can completely transcend their own recordings by sheer presence?

ETA: I bought the new cd for my dad two days ago. He's been a fan for years.

BardSkye said:

Isn't it strange how some performers can completely transcend their own recordings by sheer presence?

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That's exactly it. I was so surprised - I'd never experienced it before. It must be a very rare ability.

I love a bit of Leonard. Not heard the new stuff yet as I am waiting for the right dark night and the requisite amount of booze.

Still, I do have something to say about the below ...

mccardey said:

In the strictest sense, maybe he can't sing for nuts.

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Well, now. I'd say the man can sing. He kinda dances (or should that be stumbles) around a melody. His voice is something akin to Gods (mainly because Cohen is a God) and there often isn't anything more tuneful than an old man with a glint in his eye whispering truths at you. For me, that's a singer.

I especially like the description of him -- by an English Comedian whose name I forget -- who said (and I paraphrase) 'he is, perhaps, the greatest singing comedian' and then quoted the line ...

I was born like this, I had no choice. I was born with the gift of a golden voice - Tower of Song

Okay, I admit it -- maybe the old codger can't sing, but goddamn can that man sing!

I done just made a paradox!

BardSkye said:

I like Cohen's songs... as long as somebody else sings them.

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Buckley really did perma-steal Halleluiah. Even Cohen gave his performance a nod as the definitive one.