I would also love to hear stories of first encounters or memorable encounters of hearing Leonard or a Leonard song for the first time....
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Oregon
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Re: Cohen Virgins
Fri, September 30, 2005 - 3:35 PMI was dating a journalist several years ago, who hated his music. She worked for a small European mag that had arranged an interview with him, but the guy originally set to do the interview couldn't make it. She stepped in, determined to dislike him. Promised fifteen minutes, she spent an hour and a half with him, was completely charmed and was walking on air when she returned.
She still didn't like his music though. -
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Re: Cohen Virgins
Fri, September 30, 2005 - 3:51 PMWhat a fabulous story. I love it. I have often wondered what he would be like in person. Sometimes a person's creative output does not match their public persona. I am relieved to hear he is charming in person, as well. -
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Re: Cohen Virgins
Fri, September 30, 2005 - 4:02 PMI've never seen him in concert. Have you? -
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Re: Cohen Virgins
Fri, September 30, 2005 - 4:46 PMI wish, but no. I love his old music though, and not necessarily his new, so, would be anticlimactic I think. Unless, I could time-travel.....
The closest I've come is finding a second-hand battery operated turntable, and hiking up to 1300' and lying on a blanket listening to Songs from a Room. -
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Re: Cohen Virgins
Fri, September 30, 2005 - 4:51 PMThat is truly hard core. Where did this trek take place? -
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Re: Cohen Virgins
Fri, September 30, 2005 - 9:14 PMlike many, i first heard L. Cohen as part of the soundtrack to Pump of the Volume. if you dont recall, "Happy Harry Hardon" begins each pirated broadcast with a verse from "Everybody Knows". Concrete Blonde cover the song on the actual soundtrack. this small glimpse into his voice and lyrics led me to pick up a casette of Songs from a Room. a short time later, the casette was damaged in the early morning hours on a beach in ft. lauderdale. naturally, it was immediately replaced. it should be mentioned that the clerk of the store where i first purchased Songs insisted on smuggling it out of the store for my benefit. we have been friends ever since. -
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Re: Cohen Virgins
Sat, October 1, 2005 - 2:37 AMit was 1969 in bloomington, indiana. i went to a house to buy drugs and heard only 2 lines from suzanne coming over the record player like a prayer. i asked who was singing as i left the house with my drugs. 'leonard cohen' was the response.
i have been addicted ever since.
i heartily disagree with anyone who says the old stuff is better than the new.
if you listen chronologically you can experience his (and your own) growth, both spiritually and intellectually.
he is our greatest explorer of the interior...and, never fails to report his findings in the most miraculous of ways.
as his 'songs' seem to become simpler, they become more complex...
layer after layer after layer of meaning lay under those seemingly simple, clear peaks.
"So come, my friends, be not afraid.
We are so lightly here.
It is in love that we are made;
in love, we disappear.
Though all the maps of blood and flesh
are posted at the door,
there's no one who has told us yet...
what Boogie Street is for."
ahhh, leonard.
my love.
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Re: Cohen Virgins
Sat, October 1, 2005 - 10:25 AMI first discovered Leonard Cohen through his poetry. My guess is that I just found his books in the school library. Then one day, my high school friend stole his mom's Best of CD and gave it to me...and I've been hooked ever since. My favourite memory is doing a essay on him in high school - out of the library archives I took out Ladies and Gentlemen on film strip and watched it during lunch hour. Not necessary a romantic introduction to Leonard but still...good memory.
I do have a good story....
I met my boyfriend online years ago. Anyway, when we first met online, it was nothing romantic. He found out that I liked Leonard and since my boyfriend was in Montreal, I obviously asked him if he ever saw him on the street, haha. Actually, about ten years ago or more, he did see Leonard. My boyfriend was at this restaurant/bar and was sitting near him. Well, clumsy as my boyfriend is - he walked past his table in this crowded bar, got distracted, bumped into Leonard's table with his ass, and ended up knocking a beer on Leonard's lap. Leonard was not impressed though his lady friend seemed amused. After he told this story, I knew...I had to go to Montreal and meet him! Hahaha...and here I am. I thought, the closest I'll get to Leonard is through my boyfriend's clumsiness!
If I ever get near a scanner, I'll post pics of his childhood house. It's about a 20 minute walk from my apartment.
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Re: Cohen Virgins
Sat, October 1, 2005 - 3:41 PMI don't think my ojections to the newer material are centered in the lyrics. I think it is the musical style that left me cold. There was something beautiful in the old music, something raw,that got glossed over in the new music. Lyrically, I believe Leonard Cohen will go to his grave being one of the world's finest poets. -
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This is the maximum depth. Additional responses will not be threaded.
Re: Cohen Virgins
Sat, October 1, 2005 - 4:30 PMin a way, i agree with you. the music eventually had to give way to the word.
as it should be. music begins with sound. and the sound is the word at it's most primal point, no?
or, maybe not?
a grunt or moan must be heard to be ?
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Re: Cohen Virgins
Sat, October 1, 2005 - 3:38 PMColorado. Also, where I first discovered him through my first love. Actually, I guess in some way they wer both my first love.
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