Comments on: Dancing to Leonard Cohen and related pursuits

By: Michael Clarke

Michael Clarke — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:32:57 +0000

Y’know, John Cale did a pretty good take on this. Interesting that Dylan also followed Hendrix’s take on his song on Budokan (though not a particularly distinguished record overall.)

By: JP

JP — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:09:02 +0000

Scott, Ben, see my next post :-)

By: Scott

Scott — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 11:41:10 +0000

I was horrified when I heard it was going to be the X factor single. BUT, I thought Alexandra (the deserved winner of said competition)did/does an ok version. Of course not as good as original or Buckley or Wainwright versions, but not as dreadful as I had initially feared. Also, as a guaranteed number one, should give LC a nice Xmas royalties bonus too.

By: Ben Denison

Ben Denison — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 09:06:34 +0000

I never wanted to even play it, never mind hear anyone lese cover it, for fear of it being ruined. But this documentary made me think again. Give it life, new life with every new version!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00f928x/The_Fourth_The_Fifth_The_Minor_Fall/

By: JP

JP — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 07:08:03 +0000

Malc, Myrto arranged for me to try out Spotify. Looked good. Advertising business model is the expectation. The reason I have stayed with Songbird is the open platform community effect a la Firefox and Netvibes and opensource in general.

Viki I have no idea what you’re talking about :-) And I wistfully remember what a lung was.

Geoff, thanks for the tip. Will make sure I try the Bratsera if for some reason I find myself in Hydra.

By: Geoff

Geoff — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 02:46:43 +0000

Really not sure which one :-( but a local artist told ne thats Cohen’s Suzanne, my understanding his that he still owns a house their.
btw The Bratsera is one of my favourite hotels can really recommend it if you want a peacful break!

By: Viki

Viki — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 02:13:29 +0000

dance cohen ? thought it was always sway unsteadily after a lungful-of-you-know-what !!

By: malcolm

malcolm — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 02:12:52 +0000

Just watching Alexandra. She can do the lot but she shouldn’t have been allowed anywhere near that song after Jeff Buckley.

By: malcolm

malcolm — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 02:09:29 +0000

If you think I meant anyone other than Hendrix well ….. :)

Not sure about Songbird tbh .. not heard of Deezer but will give it a look. Have you seen Spotify .. looks good. Not sure what their licensing agreement is.

Just back from a party and TLS have murdered Hallelujah.

By: JP

JP — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 20:34:28 +0000

Intriguing comment, Geoff. The “Marianne” in “So Long Marianne” used to live in Hydra, and may still live there, so your meeting Suzanne there is some coincidence.

The question is, which Suzanne? Most people think the eponymous song is about Suzanne Elrod, who used to be married to him. But, since a 1994 interview with Cohen, the received wisdom is that “Suzanne” is actually Suzanne Verdal, the wife of Armand Vaillancourt.

If you met the right Suzanne in Hydra, that would mean you *might* have been able to meet two different Leonard Cohen song inspirations on the same Greek island. Imagine that.