Leonard Cohen 1934-2016

[MTLDude]

I just heard that one of the greatest Canadian songwriter and poet of all time has passed away today...

Here is a song from his last album:

 

[nycguydowntown]

RIP a great artist.

 

[mikey3000]

Sleep well Leonard. A life well lived.

 

[gsdx]

Very sad indeed.

My favourite:

 

[HoodedRat]

Sad. I am actually listening to his new album right now; I've been listening to it for the past week and just saw this thread.

I've been a Cohen fan for more than 40 years. He wrote so many wonderful songs and delivered them in his inimitable style, but if he had only ever written 'Hallelujah' that alone would make him a genius as far as I am concerned.

 

[rareboy]

As if this week isn't bad enough.

 

[gsdx]

Leonard was first and foremost a poet. All of his songs could be read and the emotion and meaning would still be there. It's genius to take a magnificent poem and put music under it and make it even more beautiful. Leonard Cohen was genius.

 

[gsdx]

but if he had only ever written 'Hallelujah' that alone would make him a genius as far as I am concerned.

Here is my favourite version, sung by KD Lang at the 2010 Olympic Games opening ceremony:

 

[Cormac135]

What a tragic loss.

 

[HoodedRat]

Leonard was first and foremost a poet. All of his songs could be read and the emotion and meaning would still be there. It's genius to take a magnificent poem and put music under it and make it even more beautiful. Leonard Cohen was genius.

True. His songs are so well-crafted. He had a wonderful way with words, rhyme, and imagery that few ever come close to, let alone equal. I love the way that his poems/songs tell stories, grab you by the heart, and yet also make you think.

 

[nycguydowntown]

As if this week isn't bad enough.

Right ---my best friends dog died too---known her since a puppy---let's get all the bad news in one week before the holidays.

 

[gsdx]

On November 10, the morning the news was release about Leonard's death, the radio news report that I listen to announced that Leonard had actually died on November 7. I was going to make a post about it, but couldn't find any online confirmation, so I didn't say anything.

Leonard's manager released a statement confirming it. In fact, Leonard was buried in Montreal on the day his death was announced: November 10.

According to the manager, Leonard died peacefully in his sleep. He had suffered a fall during the night.

https://ca.news.yahoo.com/manager-songwriter-leonard-cohen-died-043833291.html

 

[FPNY]

Haunting song I read he wrote after reading how people in concentration camps comforted one another with music....

 

[gsdx]

but if he had only ever written 'Hallelujah' that alone would make him a genius as far as I am concerned.

I just discovered this wonderful version. I hope you like a cappella:

 

[rareboy]

^ This was divine.

 

[HoodedRat]

^
^
Wow! Neil, that was greatl. I love the mix of voices in that version. I had never heard of Pentatonix before ... off to check out more stuff by them now.

 

[gsdx]

^ Neither had I. I was searching YouTube for the Piano Guys for Carol of the Bells and the Pentatonix showed up in the side bar. L listened to that video first and noticed Hallelujah in the side bar there.

They do good!