Leonard Cohen
Leonard
Cohen is generally regarded as the finest poet among this century's songwriters.
Not surprisingly, Cohen, a Canadian, was a highly regarded poet by the time
he launched into songwriting. He gained fame early on with Judy Collins' recording
of "Suzanne," and has continued to be relevant. Cohen's signature
songs are dark portraits of lovers in their individual soul searching and power
struggles with each other. Virtually unknown in the U.S., he continues to be
revered in Europe. He is also one of the few songwriters who has continued to
get better and better through his career, as attested by The Future (1992).
Immortal Songs
Best Books
- Beautiful Losers (Buy
it online) Unlike Dylan's "novel," Tarantula, Cohen's early
novel is well regarded.
- Stranger Music: Selected Lyrics and Poems (Buy
it online)
- Kill Your Idols - Leonard Cohen, by David Sheppard Thunder's Mouth
Press (ISBN 1-56025-270-7)
Essential Discs
- Songs of Leonard Cohen. (Label). (Buy
it online)
- New Skin for the Old Ceremony (out of print?)
- The Future (Columbia). (Buy
it online)
Heirs
Cohen has few heirs among today's folk songwriters, mostly
because he is essentially a poet of love. He explores the dark
side of our attempts to reach one another and fulfill ourselves.
He is also steeped in literature and history and uses language
with precision and care. In a way, he runs completely counter
to the Guthrie/Dylan tradition.
Sites to Check Out
Best Site: Leonard Cohen Files.
Ultimate fansite for disciples of the master - perhaps too fawning, but then,
what could be too much praise? Has everything except sound clips/MP3s
and is beautiful besides. From Finland. Lyrics are here.
Official Site: leonardcohen.com
(also excellent, includes complete lyrics by album and short sound clips)
Links: A good fanpage with links are here.
Hugh Blumenfeld, Editor
hugh@balladtree.com
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© 2001 Hugh Blumenfeld/The Ballad Tree
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