Any other Leonard Cohen fans out there?

[Heidi]

My very cool, smart dad introduced me to Leonard Cohen's music about 15 years ago.

My favorite L. Cohen poem, from his book, "The Energy of Slaves":

ANY SYSTEM
by Leonard Cohen

Any system you contrive without us
will be brought down
We warned you before
and nothing that you built has stood
Hear it as you lean over you blueprint
Hear it as you roll up your sleeve
Hear it once again
Any system you contrive without us
will be brought down

You have your drugs
You have your guns
You have your Pyramids you Pentagons
With all your grass and bullets
you cannot hunt us any more
All that we disclose of ourselves forever
is this warning
Nothing that you built has stood
Any system you contrive without us
will be brought down.


Listen to a clip of one of my favorite newer L. Cohen songs:
http://www.leonardcohen.com/lc15_01.html

[saltpoint]

1. Count me in on your list of Cohen appreciators.

I like the poetry, the novels, and the music.

[Heidi]

4. I think "Any System" could be our common creed.

From the moment I read it, in a first-edition of "The Energy of Slaves" given to me by a former partner, I knew I was among the "us" Cohen was talking about.

[saltpoint]

He's so good as a creative mind that I'm jealous of --

-- his friends.

What a talent.

[bertha katzenengel]

2. I only know of him because of "Famous Blue Raincoat," an old

Jennifer Warnes album. Great album. I love it.

[On the Road]

3. Well, I Like "Suzanne"

Never got into his other material, though.

[Heidi]

12. Check out "10 New Songs."

This album isn't as "dark" as some of Cohen's earlier material. The album was released shortly after he left a long stay in a Buddhist monastery on Mt. Baldy, and seems more accepting and peaceful than earlier works.

http://www.10newsongs.com/

[demnan]

13. That's a great album

Really shows that his talent is timeless

[swimmernsecretsea]

5. I learned about Leonard Cohen through Kurt Cobain, who admired his work

Even though it didn't seem very much like it. I loved it right away after trying it out. Very few who cover his songs seem to be able to pull off making them work as well as he does.

[johnnie]

6. Isn't it Cobain's anniversary of his death today? n/t

[swimmernsecretsea]

14. OMG. Yes it is.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/april/8/newsid_3522000/3522702.stm

[johnnie]

15. 11 years already...damn

Maybe you can start a thread in the lounge?

[swimmernsecretsea]

17. Done.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=3012478&mesg_id=3012478

[redqueen]

7. Oh,yes.

Thanks for the link. :)

[Helga Scow Stern]

8. I love Leonard Cohen.

My kids used to make fun of me for listening to him, but when they got a little bit older, they stole my Leonard CD's because they love him too.

I hear he may be doing another tour soon.

[Lautremont]

9. Boasting time: Leonard Cohen called me once!

I missed the call because I went out for a slurpee at 7-11. When I got back there was a message from Leonard Cohen. I had called his office some weeks earlier with a request for some info, and didn't really expect a call back at all, much less from the man himself. Drag that I didn't get to talk to him, but I was able to save the message and play it to astonished friends.

His novel "Beautiful Losers" is very much worth a read.

[Heidi]

11. Oh, my gosh. The naughty dream I once had about him . . .

doesn't even begin to compete with that!

[fishwax]

10. I'm a fan

don't have much in my collection other than "best of" plus a few scattered here and there (everybody knows, hallelujah, the future, etc.) ...

[dean_dem]

16. I'm a big fan.

And his poetry is about the only poetry I can read and not get annoyed.
So, for your reading enjoyment, here's 70 Things You Might Not Have Known About Leonard Cohen:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/fridayreview/story/0,12102,1305765,00.html

[onager]

18. He wrote the theme song for (s)Election 2000....

Everybody knows that the dice are loaded
Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed
Everybody knows that the war is over
Everybody knows the good guys lost
Everybody knows the fight was fixed,
The poor stay poor, the rich get rich
That’s how it goes
Everybody knows

Everybody knows that the boat is leaking
Everybody knows that the captain lied
Everybody got this broken feeling
Like their father or their dog just died
Everybody talking to their pockets
Everybody wants a box of chocolates
And a long stem rose
Everybody knows

Everybody knows that you love me baby
Everybody knows that you really do
Everybody knows that you’ve been faithful
Ah give or take a night or two
Everybody knows you’ve been discreet
But there were so many people you just had to meet
Without your clothes
And everybody knows

And everybody knows that it’s now or never
Everybody knows that it’s me or you
And everybody knows that you live forever
When you’ve done a line or two
Everybody knows the deal is rotten
Old black joe’s still pickin’ cotton
For your ribbons and bows
And everybody knows

And everybody knows that the plague is coming
Everybody knows that it’s moving fast
Everybody knows that the naked man and woman
Are just a shining artifact of the past
Everybody knows the scene is dead
But there’s gonna be a meter on your bed
That will disclose
What everybody knows

And everybody knows that you’re in trouble
Everybody knows what you’ve been through
From the bloody cross on top of Calvary
To the beach at Malibu
Everybody knows it’s coming apart
Take one last look at this sacred heart
Before it blows
And everybody knows