Leonard Cohen

IsolatedReptile · 01-28-2008, 08:58 AM

I did a search, but didn't see a thread devoted to Leonard Cohen, so, I decided to start one.

He has an album called Songs of Love and Hate that has absolutely outstanding songs on, exactly that, Love and Hate. He wrote the song Avalanche, later covered by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, and had other outstanding songs on there such as Dress Rehearsal Rag and Joan of Arc. He's written some of the most sad songs I've ever listened to, and possibly some of the most beautiful (especially because they're dark) love songs I've heard.

What are your takes on him? Favorite album? Favorite poem? Favorite book?

Bete Noire · 01-28-2008, 10:35 AM

Cliche, but I love Hallelujah. He's an incredible songwriter. And he had a huge influence on SOM

Minyaliel · 01-28-2008, 11:14 AM

Iadore him, and actually have the album you mentioned, Isolated, on original LP. I'm afraid I'll play it to pieces one day... I love each and every sigle song on that LP.

Green.Lady · 01-28-2008, 05:12 PM

I just recently got into him - he was recommended by another fan of tSoM. He's quite awesome. 'Hallelujah' is an incredibly beautiful song.

IsolatedReptile · 01-28-2008, 06:51 PM

So many Sister references. I found out about him through Nick Cave and Tom Waits. It was the sort of deal where Last.Fm goes, "Oh, since you like Nick Cave and Tom Waits, check this guy out." And, since they're really dead on sometimes, I checked him out and he's fantastic.

His poetry is certainly worth looking into if you like his lyrics as well.

HauntingMist · 01-28-2008, 10:34 PM

I've only been exposed to him through the Avalanche cover by Nick Cave. I love it, and I need to hear more of his work.

stompyhank · 01-29-2008, 01:43 PM

The only song I know by Cohen is Famous Blue Raincoat, but I reeeaaally like that song (the cover by Jennifer Warnes is good too). I just get totally absorbed by his voice. I read the lyrics before I ever heard the song, and I didn't know it was by him.. my dad played me the song...

ApothoKeri · 01-29-2008, 01:53 PM

I would recommend reading...'Beautiful Losers' one of his 2 (or is it 3?) novels. I like all of his poetry, Flowers for Hitler, and things in that time frame are my favorite. If you get a chance read Beautiful Losers at least. One of the best books I have ever read. In a lot of ways but I will leave it at that, just read it, you won't be disappointed. Do bear in mind that it can be sexually explicit, including some male homosexuality as well.

Dancing_in_rain · 02-11-2008, 09:09 AM

I love Leonard Cohen! I visited one of his homes (I'm from Montreal). Hallelujah and Bird on a Wire are two of my favourite poems/songs by him.