Mike Skoble on Harmonica, Michael Chaves on Bongos With Adam Cohen in Amsterdam, Feb 22/12

Mike Scoble, Adam Cohen, Michael Chaves (screenshot)

February 26, 2012

The Leonard Cohen Newswire on Facebook had an enticing post that drew my attention.

A cover of Leonard Cohen's Tower of Song by his son Adam Cohen. And a surprise (and amazing) performance by someone from the UHTC.

I couldn't resist and watched the featured video, Adam Cohen, Paradiso (Amsterdam), 22-02-12, uploaded by LysWantTwo on Feb 23, 2012.

It was such fun.

Michael Chaves' spirited bongo syncopated version of Tower of Song, reminiscent of Leonard Cohen's own arrangement with self driving keyboard - and - an unscripted contribution of terrific harmonica riffs and licks by Mike Scoble, Adam Cohen's tour manager.

Michael Chaves

Michael Chaves is Adam Cohen's hard working, talented guitar and multi instrument support and one of Adam's two back up voices (along with Mai Bloomfeld).

Mike Scoble

Mike Scoble, a man of many accomplishments, was the formidable Tour Manager for the Leonard Cohen World Tour 2008-2010.

When attending concerts on the World Tour, I had several opportunities to observe Mike Scoble in action.  He always looked elegant, and seemed quietly efficient. So it was a pleasant surpise to see Mike dressed casually and riffing on his harmonica and looking like he was enjoying himself immensely.

And he is quite good!

Move over, Dino.  You've got competition.

I cue started the video at Adam's introduction of Mile Scoble.  But, be sure to watch the whole video.  It is terrific.

cued to start at 2.15 when Mike Scoble is introduced 



--------------- 

• Leonard Cohen Newswire on Facebook is authored by Tom Sakic and Marie Mazur here
• UHTC is the acronym for the "United Heart Touring Company" (Leonard Cohen)
• "Artist Spotlight on Michael Chaves" here
• All photos are screenshots

Marie and Albert's Excellent Adventure to view Leonard Cohen's Portrait at the National Portrait Gallery, London

Sláinte, Marie.  Good job!

February 24, 2012

Marie Nolan wrote a terrific report about her family's visit to view the Venetia Dearden portrait of Leonard Cohen which is owned by the National Portrait Gallery in London. (more)

Marie's report reads like a thriller novella. Will they or won't they...

She was kind enough to let me feature her report.

The back story
I stumbled upon the portrait on the internet whilst searching for something else, a common occurrence in Cohenland. I posted it on the leonard cohen forum and referenced a post by Mordy. Subsequently, some forum members went to the NPG to view the portrait but it was not on display. Then sebmelmoth2003 posted info that one could apply for a viewing appointment.

Cast of conspirators:
From the leonardcohenforum
Mordy
somewhat_nifty/Ruth
sebmelmoth2003
Arlene/bridger15

bridger15 wrote: Ask for a private viewing away from the exhibition du jour. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

At the National Portrait Gallery
Marie Nolan
Albert Noonan
Emily Noonan
James Noonan

In advance of a family trip to London last summer and inspired by Arlene's suggestion I decided ask for that private viewing at the National Portrait Gallery.  

I recalled that Sebmelmoth2003 had posted contact details and I emailed the gallery advising them that I would be in London for a few days and that I would like to view the portrait during that time. They responded that they could accommodate us and suggested a date and time. 

The Viewing took place at the Heinz Archive & Library at 39-45 Orange Street, this is situated directly opposite the back entrance of the National Portrait Gallery.

Emily Noonan

There was myself and Albert and our two teenagers James and Emily, who at this stage in their lives didn't find it at all unusual that we would make such a visit! 

Security was tight and when we arrived, we had to produce proof of our appointment, photo id and we were asked to sign a visitor's agreement form.

We were then given passes and were escorted to the archive area. This was rather like a formal library setting, very quiet with a number of academic types sitting behind large mahogany tables.

We were introduced to a lady called Helen. She had the original print ready for viewing. It was lying flat on one of the large tables. It was covered with two layers of tissue paper.

James Noonan

She lifted the paper and revealed the portrait to us.

My initial reaction was that it looked better than it does on photos on the net. It was approximately 24 x 18 inches. We commented on how lovely it was to see it in reality and a gentleman came over to greet us. He said in a quiet voice that he just wanted to say hello and he thought we might be Canadian. He was a fan also and although he didn't see any of the recent concerts he had seen Leonard in the seventies at the Royal Albert Hall.

I was looking closely as Leonard's bolo tie and Helen offered to decipher the writing on it, she began writing out the letters on a notebook, I stopped her explaining that Camargue was written on it - I knew this thanks to our very detailed Clothing Time thread in Comments and Questions. She said "Ah you know your Leonard Cohen".

I did ask if there were any plans to exhibit the print again, but they had no plans at that time. He said that all the portraits at the Gallery are of British citizens. They had acquired the portrait of Leonard as part of a set of photos they purchased from the photographer Ventia Dearden, He did say that if any particular "themed" exhibition were to be organised in the future it may be a possibility.

We were there for about ten minutes, I asked if I could take a photo of it and Albert also asked if he could take a photo of me viewing it. We were given a polite but firm no to both requests. We thanked Helen for her time and made for the exit.

We were asked to return our passes on departure but not before we took a sneak photo. The tension is evident in the photo with me distracted and looking towards reception for fear of being "caught". (photo at the top)

Detail of security pass Marie is holding in photo at the top

 Looking back, we were very satisfied with our visit and can certainly recommend it to others. Perhaps, (as Arlene suggested) if enough people request a private viewing they might actually put Leonard out on public display.... now that would certainly be a case of, for him they really did make an exception !

PS. And of course , when in Covent Garden later that day I " Cohenised " the Apple Store

*   *   *

A special kudo to Marie for wearing her symbolic "final concert in Las Vegas" polka dot dress on this special Leonard Cohen occasion.

And special thanks to Albert for his great clandestine photos. He's awfully good at that.

-----------------------

Albert Noonan

The photos of Emily and James were taken in Berlin, August 2010, when I had dinner with the family. A few nights later, Albert, Marie and I attended Leonard Cohen's concert at the Berlin Waldbuhne.
 
- The thread that started this adventure on the leonardcohenforum here 

- On the LC Forum, Marie Nolan is IrishMar and Albert Noonan is IrishAl.

Albert's YouTube Channels
"albertnoonan"  Leonard Cohen Tour 2008-2010 i(here)
"DabbyNoNa" Adam Cohen, NEeMA and the Webb Sisters  (here)

LA Times Recommends New release Leonard Cohen Old Ideas

February 19, 2012

Imagine my excitement early this morning when I read in The Los Angeles Times Calendar section:
"Tips from The Times' music staff on recommended new releases and reissues".

The lead recommendation was written by Steve Appleford, one of the LA Times best reviewers.

Leonard Cohen
"Old Ideas"
Columbia

I can not find an online version yet. So please excuse the smudge, here is a scan.

--------------

LA Times Calendar section, p E13. Feb 19/12

Who's King Of Pop Now? The last, best laugh is Leonard Cohen’s (New York Times)

February 12, 2012

This is my favourite Old Ideas album review published in The New York Times (here)

Who’s King Of Pop Now?

By JESSE KORNBLUTH 
Published: February 11, 2012

There are things that do not happen in the real world. Noam Chomsky becoming president. Unflattering photos of Jennifer Aniston. Apple doubling the price of iPhones so its Chinese assemblers can work a 40-hour week.

Or Leonard Cohen, at 77, occupying the No. 1 position in music at Amazon.com for his just-released “Old Ideas.”

And yet Mr. Cohen not only vaulted to the top of Amazon music last week with his new collection of songs, he stayed there for a week, until Adele — who has already sold 7.5 million copies of her latest release in the United States alone —  got a second wind and sent him reeling down to No. 4.

Nothing about Mr. Cohen’s late-life success readily computes. His range as a composer is limited; as he has noted, “People said I knew three chords when I knew five.” His vocal range is even more limited. A fan got it exactly right when he said, “No one can sing a Leonard Cohen song the way Cohen himself can’t.” The dirge-like songs and midnight voice that result are an easy target for reviewers. He’s “the poet laureate of pessimism.” “The grocer of despair.” “The godfather of gloom.” “The prince of bummers.” And, inevitably, “music to slit your wrists to.”  

And this codger is, however briefly, the King of Pop?

Yes, and the joke’s on Pop. Our absurd political and media squabbles have created a vacuum of gravitas. That has turned Leonard Cohen into a trending topic, and for the simplest of reasons: he’s an authentic seeker. And Mr. Cohen’s not the only musician with a fan base that spans decades. Look at the Amazon music best-seller list: Adele is 23 years old , but just behind her are Paul McCartney (69), Eddie Van Halen (57), Mr. Cohen, an Amnesty International tribute to Bob Dylan (70) and Bruce Springsteen (62). Further down the list: 85-year-old Tony Bennett’s collection of duets. Honorable mention: Paul Simon, now 70, for his 2011 collection, his best in 25 years.

Until the last century, there was no expectation that artists would constantly change styles and messages. It was enough that they did something well. Over time, with work and grace, they saw more, went deeper, gave their audiences greater satisfaction. Now art is like fashion. Careers have stages. Novelty and astonishment are now synonymous with art.

The musicians who top the Amazon list are fully formed. In 1962, Mr. McCartney began writing his generation’s best pop songs; he still has the touch. Mr. Springsteen has been standing up for the forgotten since the mid-’70s. Mr. Dylan says he now has to work conscientiously to produce songs that used to drop into his hands, but he gets it done.

These are our elders, making mature music for an audience hungry for maturity. And one of the oldest of these elders leads the pack. The last, best laugh is Leonard Cohen’s.

Jesse Kornbluth is the editor of HeadButler.com.

A version of this op-ed appeared in print on February 12, 2012, on page SR3 of the New York edition with the headline: Who’s King Of Pop Now?

Stunning 3D Homage To Great German Choreographer PINA - A Film By Wim Wenders

February 10, 2012

Whenever I hear the name of acclaimed German documentary filmmaker, Wim Wenders, I always think of Leonard Cohen.

Wim Wenders set his film perspective on post-9/11 America, Land Of Plenty in his home of Los Angeles and to the music of two other L.A. residents, Leonard Cohen and Sharon Robinson. Leonard Cohen performs both the title song, "Land Of Plenty," and "Letters" in the movie soundtrack.

Also, Lian Lunson's, Leonard Cohen: I’m Your Man, has been called, by Wim Wenders, “one of the greatest music films of all time.”


So, when I read Lian's enthusiastic recommendation of Wender's film. PINA on Facebook (which seems to have some utility after all),  I went to the cinema on the day it opened in L.A. in 3D.

PINA is a feature-length dance film in 3D with the ensemble of the Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch, featuring the unique and inspiring art of the great German choreographer, who died in the summer of 2009.

PINA is a film for Pina Bausch by Wim Wenders. 

He takes the audience on a sensual, visually stunning journey of discovery into a new dimension: straight onto the stage with the legendary Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch ensemble, he follows the dancers out of the theatre into the city and the surrounding areas of Wuppertal - the place, which for 35 years was the home and centre for Pina Bausch's creativity.  (from official website here)

The film is so powerful, so engrossing, I could not absorb it all.  I will have to see it again.

So, in turn, I would like to enthusiastically recommend this film if it comes to your area.

For some additonal background, here is a link to a movie review of PINA followed by the movie trailer.

Los Angeles Times
January 13, 2012
By Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times Film Critic

Wim Wenders' 3-D performance documentary 'Pina' takes viewers inside German choreographer Pina Bausch's dances in a way that nothing else could.

Like the great Pelé, Pina was a one-name person, a groundbreaking dancer and choreographer with accomplishments so one-of-a-kind that to her admirers no surname was necessary. But whether you're familiar with Pina Bausch's work or not, the new film "Pina" is a knockout.

Directed by the veteran Wim Wenders, "Pina" is the most exciting use of 3-D since "Avatar." The performance documentary takes us inside Bausch's extraordinary dances in a way that nothing else could. ... more

-------------

• Wim Wenders photo and bio  (here)
• Wim Wenders interview with Jian Ghomeshi on CBC Studio Q -why he went ahead with the film after PINA died (here) 
• Movie poster at the top -Google images

Leonard Cohen's New Album Old Ideas Receives Unprecedented Worldwide Acclaim

February 8, 2012

They like him.  They really like him.

"Old Ideas Debuts in a Top Five Position on Charts in 27 Countries
Cohen's New Studio Album Is the Highest Charting Album of His Career"

NEW YORK, Feb. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Leonard Cohen's Old Ideas has reached unprecedented worldwide creative and commercial heights with debuts in the #1 position on the official Album Sales Chart in 9 countries. Additionally, Old Ideas has smashed records with its debut at the top of the charts (official, iTunes or Amazon) in 17 countries (Austria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, Finland {trending to #1}, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, New Zealand, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, UK, USA).  The highly acclaimed 10-song collection of new material from poet/singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen was also Top 5 in an additional 10 countries. This makes Old Ideas the highest debuting album of Leonard Cohen's career!

 Read the full press release (here)

 

Canadian Ambassador in Moscow Praises Leonard Cohen

State Kremlin Palace Theatre - Moscow

February 4, 2012

sonLeonard is in Moscow to attend a premiere performance at the State Kremlin Palace Theatre.

He and his wife were invited to a dinner at the Canadian Embassy.

He sent this email:

        Subject: Your other Leonard

The Canadian ambassador mentioned in his welcoming remarks last night that Leonard Cohen had recently played the Kremlin theatre to great success.

 --------------------

• Leonard Cohen performed at The Kremlin Palace on October 7, 2010 on his World Tour.
• sonLeonard is called "sonLeonard" to distinguish him whenever "Leonard" is written.
• sonLeonard sent lots of photos from Moscow here  (label: Moscow)
• No, I did not name him after Leonard Cohen . I have been asked that many times.

US TV Promo Leonard Cohen "Old Ideas" on CBS Sunday Morning

Screen shot  from video of my TV screen - CBS Sunday Morning

January 29, 2012

Imagine my delight when I watched today's DVR recording of "CBS Sunday Morning" on TV.

During the playback, there was a 30 second promo for Leonard Cohen's new album, Old Ideas.

What a nice surprise.

I had seen some TV promos uploaded from other countries, but not one in the US yet.

I grabbed my camera, replayed that portion and uploaded it to YouTube.

---------

Links to TV promos in other countries assembled by Roman aka Goldin (here)

Report From Australia, "A Successful Gathering - Twice As Long As A Leonard Cohen Concert."

Alan Mawhinney with "Roscoe" &  Dean (from Adelaide) Engelhardt

January 28, 2012

Alan Mawhinney and I have been exchanging emails since the Adelaide concert in 2010.  One thing about Alan that was evident from the start, he is so passionate about the genius of Leonard Cohen he wants everybody in his life and beyond to enjoy and admire LC as much as he does.

Alan was inspired to bring together people of different levels of appreciating Leonard Cohen including newcomers with little background.  It was a mission he set for himself and it appears he has succeeded

Karin (like a rose on its ladder of thorns)

On January 21, 2012, Alan and his wife Karin hosted a Leonard Cohen fans get together at their home in Adelaide. Alan, along with the equally passionate Dean (from Adelaide), organized a program for the evening with extensive coverage of Leonard Cohen material.

Alan kindly sent me emails and photos to let me know how the evening went. Thank you to Dean for inviting me to join in on Skype, but I am not on Skype...yet.

Following is a reprint of Alan's emails (in part) describing the planning and the meet-up in his own words.

By: Alan Mawhinney, Adelaide, Australia

Overall we had a successful gathering - twice as long as a Leonard Cohen concert.

I have decided to host the inaugural meeting of the LC Fan Club (Adelaide branch) on Jan 21st.
Each person is asked to introduce a song and then I will play the relevant video.
Dean and I will then introduce the novices to some of the songs not played on the World Tour.

There is a tradition in Australia to have "Christmas in July" when it is cold, so this will be LC's birthday party in January when it is hot.

I caught up with Dean and Cathy at a cricket match a few days ago and they are both in good form.
Dean will bring his concert CD artwork and I will display my vinyl collection.

They are the only others outside my group of inductees that are local forum members.
However I found out a couple of weeks ago that my neighbours are recent fans, so that will increase the numbers a little.

....
Meeting Dean and Cathy this evening (yes at another cricket match) for further planning for our gathering.

....
 Planning for Saturday week is progressing a-pace. Dean wondered if you wanted to tune in on skype!

.....
Overall we had a successful gathering - twice as long as a Leonard Cohen concert.

1. Some audio recordings of Cohen Rarities - Do I Have To Dance All Night, To Love Somebody, etc.

2. Video "The Guests"; Alan intro 21st January = LC birthday when it is hot (33C), followed by Albert Noonan's "Happy Birthday" video.
....
Followed that with the Sony version and then the Alan/Allan version of "A Thousand Kisses Deep". (see below)

Some examples of Cohen humour including the Shoe Hospital thing from Austin City Limits and the intro to Billy Sunday (Blues by the Jews).

Then 3 tracks from Old Ideas -lyric videos of "Going Home", "Show Me The Place" and "Darkness". All very well received. Easy segue from the Cohen humour bit to "Going Home".

3. Each person or couple then presented a song, for which I supplied the video. They said what their song meant to them and I tell you that was a real eye opener for me. I thought many just tagged along because of my missionary zeal, but each had their own deep meaning that they had discovered for themselves.

One of the group is a serious Elvis fan and was delighted when I slipped in the video of Leonard singing a few lines of "Can't Help Falling In Love With You" from the recently appeared BBC interview.

Dean and I gave our various concert recollections during the introduction to our songs, and through it all there was significant discussion, followed by respectful silence during the playing of the videos.

4. To round off the evening I had compiled a list of audio recordings that I called "Gentle Songs". These had not been played during the World Tour and were more easy-listening for novices. I omitted things like "Dress Rehearsal Rag", "Sing Another Song, Boys" and similar. I feel they are more for the advanced listener.

I had displayed my vinyls, books and DVDs and Dean displayed his 2010 concert CD collection with its magnificent artwork - greatly admired by all.

5. The unplanned bit - my neighbours - the most recent fans of all - demanded to see more before they went home!

All in all, a successful evening.

L-R  Front row - Lee, Karin, Jo, Lorraine, Cathy, Dean; Back row - Klaus, Mel, Ian, Julie, Chris, Alan

The Alan Mawhinney/Allan Showalter collaboration of "A Thousand Kisses Deep"

-----------------------------------------

Alan Mawhinney is AlanM on the Leonard Cohen Forum
Alan is alanm5049 on YouTube. His YouTube channel is (here) with six superb videos from the Adelaide and Sydney concerts.

Dean (on the beach)

Dean Engelhardt (dce) posted a wonderful comprehensive report about this Adelaide event on the Leonard Cohen Forum (here)

Dean (from Adelaide) blog, lcdownunder 2010,  A Time Capsule of Leonard Cohen's 2010 Tour of Australia and New Zealand (here)







Karin Mawhinney (photo above) is sporting a transfer rose tattoo in honour of the event

And leave no word of discomfort
And leave no observer to mourn
But climb on your tears and be silent
Like a rose on its ladder of thorns  (The Window)

Pup "Roscoe" is now 15 months old and was named after...you guessed it... Roscoe Beck, Bassist and Musical Director with the Leonard Cohen World Tour 2008-2010. I just love pup Roscoe's hat.

"Excuse me. I Think I Saw You At The Leonard Cohen Concert In Las Vegas At The Colosseum"

Meet KEN.  My favourite guy in Sherman Oaks, CA

January 25, 2012

I once read Dr Heck's lament about posting on his blog (based on Leonard Cohen's quip about composing songs).

If I knew where good posts come from, I would go there more often.

Allan, try hanging out at your local supermarket.

I was shopping at my local supermarket today in Sherman Oaks where another shopper stopped me and said:

 "Excuse me. I Think I Saw You At The Leonard Cohen Concert In Las Vegas At The Colosseum"

Oh, did we meet?

No. I just remember seeing you there.

I was so excited.  This is only the second time since moving to Los Angeles three years ago that I've met somebody who actually is familar with Leonard Cohen.

His name is "Ken" and hails from South Africa.  He has been a fan of Leonard Cohen dating back to 1967 when he first read a review of  Songs Of Leonard Cohen.  The reviewer was so ecstatic about these being the best songs he had ever heard. So Ken bought the album and has been enthralled with Leonard Cohen ever since.

Fast forward to October, 2011. For his birthday this past October, Ken's wife bought him Leonard Cohen-The Complete Columbia Albums Collection .

We talked about Leonard's new upcoming album, Old Ideas and about Ken listening to some of the songs streaming online.

Ken remarked about SONY's  aggressive campaign for this album being so different from almost no publicity for past albums.  He feels this is indicative of how important Leonard Cohen is now perceived.

Then Ken added ...He will probably go on tour again.

I hope so, Ken.  I hope so.

-----------------

• Sorry for the photo quality. I only had my lo-tech Virgin LG Touch cellphone with me.
• Dr Heck aka Allan Showalter is webmaster of the Cohencentric blog 1heckofaguy and related LC blogs
• My first encounter in LA with another Cohen admirer (here )
• Old Ideas will be released in the US and Canada on January 31, 2012

Leonard Cohen's New Album OLD IDEAS Is Now Streaming on NPR and Soundcloud (Guardian UK)

January 22, 2012

First Listen: Leonard Cohen, 'Old Ideas'

on NPR Music

Thanks to Lorraine Sexton (maltmom) for posting the link.

(click here)

OLD IDEAS TRACK LISTING:
Going Home
Amen
Show Me The Place
The Darkness
Anyhow
Crazy To Love You
Come Healing
Banjo
Lullaby
Different Sides 

Also: Streaming on Soundcloud (Guardian, UK)

(click here)

----------------------

Old Ideas will be available to stream on demand from January 23 through January 31, 2012.

Old Ideas will be released in the US and Canada on January 31, 2012

"Leonard Cohen: the maestro who’s made the most of his misery" The Telegraph, William Langley

Trim and dapper, Leonard Cohen today has the look of an ageing mob lawyer, 

with a voice once described as 'deeper than a Siberian coalmine' Photo: SPRINGS

January 23, 2012

Leonard Cohen: the maestro who’s made the most of his misery

Even on the release of 'Old Ideas' – his 12th album – the 77-year-old singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen remains happy to be sad, says William Langley

William Langley wrote an article about Leonard Cohen and his forthcoming new album Old Ideas in the January 22 issue of The Telegraph (click here) .  The wonderful  caricature above of LC and the backing Webb Sisters was included with the article.

----------------
Old Ideas will be released in the US and Canada on January 31, 2012

Leonard Cohen's Old Ideas Billboard-Times Square, New York

January 22, 2012

Marie Mazur, moderator of the Leonard Cohen Forum sent these two fantastic photos of a billboard for Old Ideas at Times Square in New York City.  These photos are from Robert Kory, Leonard's manager.  

 
Thank you Marie and thank you Robert.

------------ 

Old Ideas will be released in the US and Canada on January 31, 2012

Leonard Cohen at Joes' Pub in New York-Old Ideas Press Conference Jan 20/12

 

January 21, 2012

"Leonard Cohen listening session/press conference at Joe's Pub. Simply amazing"

Source: Twitter,  Stacey Anderson, New York
"Music journalist for New York Times, Rolling Stone, Spin, Nylon, etc....and, more importantly, not the TV Land cougar."

And another tweet by Shanta Thake
Directress of Joe's Pub in NYC

"Leonard talking about living in the Chelsea Hotel next to Edie Sedgwick and his quest for popularity"

"Me photo bombing @RitaHoustonWFUV and Leonard Cohen before we got all chummy about 'Old Ideas.' "

 Twitter: Liana Huth @JustLiana

"Arlene's Leonard Cohen Scrapbook" Makes New Yorker Map Cover per Dr HGuy's Vision

January 20, 2012

The devlish Dr HGuy aka Dr Allan Showalter today posted his vision of 

Leonard Cohen Map – New Yorker Style

 Cohenlandia Cartography

In honor of the New Yorker’s recent publication of the Leonard Cohen poem, “Going Home” and the streaming of the “Going Home” track from the Old Ideas album from the New Yorker web site, Heck Of A Guy offers its somewhat more Cohencentric version of the iconic 1976 New Yorker cover drawn by Saul Steinberg that depicted the world as seen from a New Yorker’s perspective.

"Arlene's Leonard Cohen Scrapbook" made the cover.

See 1heckofaguy.com (click here)

--------

The New Yorker audio link and lyrics -"Going Home"- from Leonard Cohen's new "Old Ideas" album, out Jan 31/12  (click here)

Leonard Cohen in Paris on January 16, 2012 - Oh that smile...

Photo: Daylife, Jan 16/12

January 16, 2012

Leonard Cohen was in Paris today for the SONY Music unveiling of his new album, Old Ideas.

Thanks to Suzanne Harlacher for her Facebook post.

Lucky me ... just found this on " daylife "

Canadian singer and Poet Leonard Cohen smiles as he poses on January 16. 2012 in Paris ♥Leonard Cohen's new album " Old Ideas " will be released in France on January 30 .

Oh, and what a smile. I can't stop smiling myself.

More Leonard Cohen photos on the Daylife website (click here)

Reminder: Leonard Cohen's New Song "Going Home" Begins Streaming Today onThe New Yorker Website

January 16, 2012 

Audio here

Going Home 

by Leonard Cohen

I love to speak with Leonard
He’s a sportsman and a shepherd
He’s a lazy bastard
Living in a suit

But he does say what I tell him
Even though it isn’t welcome
He will never have the freedom
To refuse

He will speak these words of wisdom
Like a sage, a man of vision
Though he knows he’s really nothing
But the brief elaboration of a tube

Going home
Without my sorrow
Going home
Sometime tomorrow
To where it’s better
Than before

Going home
Without my burden
Going home
Behind the curtain
Going home
Without the costume
That I wore

He wants to write a love song
An anthem of forgiving
A manual for living with defeat

A cry above the suffering
A sacrifice recovering
But that isn’t what I want him to complete

I want to make him certain
That he doesn’t have a burden
That he doesn’t need a vision

That he only has permission
To do my instant bidding
That is to SAY what I have told him
To repeat

Going home
Without my sorrow
Going home
Sometime tomorrow
Going home
To where it’s better
Than before

Going home
Without my burden
Going home
Behind the curtain
Going home
Without the costume
That I wore

I love to speak with Leonard
He’s a sportsman and a shepherd
He’s a lazy bastard
Living in a suit

-------------------

• The New Yorker: January 23, 2012 issue, click here
• For the January 15 SONY press release, see previous post or click here

"The New Yorker" Makes History With New Leonard Cohen Song "Going Home"

January 15, 2012

Here is a press release from SONY with very exciting, ground breaking news about the first track, Going Home from Leonard Cohen's forthcoming new album, Old Ideas. The album contains 10 new songs and is set for release on January 31.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New Leonard Cohen Song to Be Streamed by The New Yorker

Cohen's Recognition Reflects the Strength of Popular Songwriting

January 15, 2012, Los Angeles: For the first time in its history, The New Yorker, esteemed for its consistent publication of great poetry, will stream on its website (www.newyorker.com) Leonard Cohen’s new lyric “Going Home,” one of ten songs on his new studio album, Old Ideas. The New Yorker will publish the lyric in its January 23^rd issue (on newsstands January 16^th). The song will also be streamed on The New Yorker website on January 16^th. Cohen and Sony will release the album on January 31st  (www.leonardcohen.com/us/news/new-album-old-ideas-be-released-013112).

New Yorker poetry editor Paul Muldoon, who has been listening to Cohen since 1967, said that he is “thrilled” this will be happening in the magazine, which has recently been acknowledging the great power and achievement of singer-songwriters. Muldoon said, “The New Yorker has been publishing lyrics over the past years by Cohen, Bob Dylan, and Paul Simon…Cohen is in some elite company, including his own!”  Cohen’s rich, complex lyrics have intoxicated listeners for more than a generation; his work bridges the world of lyric poetry and song.  A selection of Cohen’s poems and songs has recently been published by the prestigious Random House “Everyman” series, which includes in its pantheon Rumi, Keats, Byron, Pushkin, Dickinson, Frost, and, now, Cohen (http://www.randomhouse.com/knopf/classics/resources_press.html). Already, through a second printing, a new edition will be released later this winter.
    
Recently, Cohen’s work has been receiving literary recognition throughout the world. In late October, Cohen received the Príncipe de Asturias, the highest literary award granted by Spain (www.youtube.com/watch?v=5u_7e3Tv7Uk ).  PEN New England has also awarded Cohen and Chuck Berry its first “Song Lyrics of Literary Excellence.” Judges included Bono, Rosanne Cash, Elvis Costello, Paul Muldoon, Smokey Robinson, Salman Rushdie, and Paul Simon.  

His native Canada, which has honored Cohen before, will bestow the Ninth Glenn Gould Prize upon Cohen for his great artistic achievement in bringing literary richness to popular music and for touching “audiences far outside his main genre.” Cohen’s honors and the recent nomination of Bob Dylan for the Neustadt International Prize (www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/jun/03/leonard-cohen-major-spanish-literary-prize) reflect the cultural recognition of folk-rock songwriters as poets of the highest order.

# # # #

The album by Leonard Cohen was produced with Patrick Leonard, Anjani Thomas, Ed Sanders and Dino Soldo and features backing vocalists Dana Glover, Sharon Robinson, The Webb Sisters and Jennifer Warnes.

Track list of  Old Ideas

• Going Home
• Amen
• Show Me The Place
• The Darkness
• Anyhow
• Crazy To Love You
• Come Healing
• Banjo
• Lullaby
• Different Sides

Two other tracks off Old Ideas are currently online.
Show Me The Place (lyric video here)
Darkness  (audio here)

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• For more information about the album and Leonard Cohen, click here
• "Old Ideas" album photo: Kezban Ozcan
• "The New Yorker" first issue cover: Wikipedia

Leonard Cohen In A "Red River Coat" Is Left Outside By His Mother and Could Never Get In

January 13, 2012

The title of this post came from listening to an interview of Leonard Cohen on a program called "Mixed Bag" with Pete Fornatale on WNEW-FM in New York.(4/28/85 Part 1).

In response to the interviewer asking why LC chose "Stranger Music" for the name of one of his publishing companies, Leonard's comments included:

I have always been on the outside...
My mother used to leave me outside, in the snow, in the winter, in Montreal.
She would dress me very warmly and just leave me outside.
I could never get in.
And those Montreal winters were bitter.
I had this Red River Coat with a red sash and a toque with a pom pom
and I was visible in the snow.
She could see from the kitchen window, but she'd never let me in.
...I don't think she wanted me around

I have heard Leonard Cohen tell this very charming story before.  But I don't recall him describing what he wore. When he mentioned wearing a "Red River Coat", I was curious.  Having lived in Toronto, a large Canadian metropolitan city, for most of my life, I have never heard of that coat style. 

Although the Red River flows through the US and Canada, I always associate it with Winnipeg, Manitoba. So, the mention of a "Red River Coat" interested me.

I learned that the "Red River Coat" for children was very popular in Montreal in the thirties and it was worn by... "rich kids".

Red River coats

One especially popular type of winter coat was the Red River coat which was worn by both boys and girls... a kind of duffel coat with a toque with pom pom. There was also a wool sash which was useful when it was really freezing. The child put this sash over his face like a scarf...  Leggings were the same colour as the toque,  mittens and sash. Stockings were under leggings and kept the child warm...it was one of the most beautiful winter outfits worn by children until 12...The coats were always black (or very dark blue), accessory colours were either tomato red or aqua blue for the toque, sash, mittens and thick stockings.

Photo source: McCord Museum of Canadian History, Montreal

 Photo by: William Notman (1867), McCord Museum, Montreal

The Red River Coat came from the Métis culture, described as people of mixed native and European origin. Métis often acted as middlemen who communicated between the First Nations peoples and the European settlers and colonists.

The sash was used by the Métis as a practical item of clothing. It was decorative, warm and could be used to replace a rope if none was available.  The Metis consider the sash as a symbol of nationhood and cultural distinction. Today it is still considered to be an important part of traditional dress.

There is also a book written by Mary Peate, Girl in a Red River Coat: Growing Up in Montreal in the 1930's, originally published by Clarke, Irwin & Company in 1970. It was aimed at younger readers, but according to literary articles, it is still enjoyed by many age groups because of its Montreal nostalgia.

Book cover: Google images

This is the fictionalized memoir of Mary Peate, a young girl in Montreal's Notre-Dame-de-Grace neighbourhood near the onset of World War II. It is the best of times and the worst of times. The Depression is still affecting even middle-class communities. There is an innocence to pre-adolescent life (especially convent-educated life) in this era, resulting in some of the book's best comedy. Peate also has to deal with real problems of polio outbreaks, friends losing their parents, and her ongoing battles with the nuns.

"Mixed Bag" with Pete Fornatale on WNEW-FM in New York.
Leonard Cohen Interview (4/28/85 Part 1)

Uploaded by minordrag on Feb 12, 2008
 

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WNEW Interview Part 2.  Leonard performs an acoustic version of "Night Comes On"  click here

WNEW Interview Part 3.  More interview and Leonard reads a couple of poems. click here

The Webb Sisters, Hattie & Charley, Delightful As Always

January 2, 2012

I received a lovely surprise in my Holiday mail. Hattie and Charley Webb sent me a very gracious thank you postcard and also...

...one of their buttons.  I love the image word play of the little bird on the "W".  The backing paper for the pin is also interesting.

How kind and thoughtful of them.  They have had quite a busy and exciting year doing many concert gigs.  And they also traveled to Los Angeles to participate in the recording of  Leonard Cohen's new album, "Old Ideas". I am really looking forward to hearing them on the album.

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Leonard Cohen's new album "Old Ideas" will be released on January 31, 2012

Eija & Jarkko Arjatsalo "Ice" Stewards of the Leonard Cohen Forum & Leonard Cohen Files

December 31, 2011

I have been enjoying Eija Arjatsalo's beautiful photography ever since I joined the Leonard Cohen Forum in 2009.  I have particularly been struck by Eija's photographs of her Ice Creations.

They are live artworks, so breathtaking.

It was only recently that I realized that the posting of photographs of Eija's Ice works are a Forum tradition at Holiday time.  So I surfed the Forum and the Leonard Cohen Files to collect some of her other Ice photographs.   One lovely surprise I discovered, the first one below is what Jarkko uses as his avatar.

And here are some of Eija Arjatsalo's beautiful Ice Creations that I was able to find.

 

Thank you Eija, for all your exquisite photo galleries. 

And thank you Jarkko, for everything you do for Leonard Cohen and his fans.

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• Photos of Eija & Jarkko Arjatsalo: Leonard Cohen Krakow Event, August 2010
• Link to the Leonard Cohen Forum here
• Link to the Leonard Cohen Files here