Leonard Cohen RIP

[poliphilo]

He placed himself a hundred floors below Hank Williams but I think that was unduly modest of him. He was a true poet and wrote lines that scald. It was an interesting life and he sang every part of it. I don't think he's left us, really- just moved to that tower down the track.

Comments

[cmcmck.livejournal.com]

'Myself I long for love and light,
But must it come so cruel, and oh so bright?'

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

A master of language. Dylan's equal- but so very different.

[porsupah.livejournal.com]

I've seen some argue that Cohen should've received the Nobel rather than Dylan. It'd be a hugely difficult task to separate their worth - both seem admirably well qualified, though as I recall, Nobel prizes can't be awarded posthumously.

And then Robert Vaughn, too, gone at 83. Maybe not as much of a worldwide cultural influence, but still, he'll long be remembered as The Man from UNCLE, not to mention the wise, highly experienced figure of Hustle.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Dylan is protean and prolific, Cohen was very meticulous. They could hardly be more different. The Academy chose the right one, I think, but Cohen would have been a worthy winner too.

I loved The Man From Uncle.

[faeriefiles.livejournal.com]

I think his every increasing spirit energy finally exploded from the human suit he was wearing and yes, he's kinda bouncing around totally free now. One of my favorite singer/story tellers.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

That's a good way of putting it. He's one of my favourites too. I played my copy of his first album to death back in 1970.

[faeriefiles.livejournal.com]

I got started on his music at a young age too. :)

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I was the right age, in my late teens- when Cohen first came on the scene.

I remember a school friend- who is now a bishop and might not want to be reminded of it- telling us that he'd read that "he (Cohen) treats a woman's body like an altar" and all of us going, "Wow."

[faeriefiles.livejournal.com]

I think he was raised Jewish,right? From what I've been told, the rules for the treatment of women are pretty much that way across the board with Jewish men. I did a big job for a local Shul and learned quite a bit about that while I was there. A Jewish friend told me that Jewish men are actually prohibited from orgasm until after their female partner is satisfied and there are apparently a lot of rules for the careful treatment of females. Some may see that as misogynistic, I thought it was kind of sweet in the way they practiced it. Not the religion for a feminist woman (which Is a box I don't fit in) but sweet nevertheless.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Yes, he was Jewish. It permeates his work I think.

[negothick.livejournal.com]

I can attest that his songs are used in synagogue services. My own women's choir sings "Who By Fire" at Rosh HaShona services. A friend's choir just sang "Hallelujah" at her Reform (Liberal) temple.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I'm not surprised. I think those songs would fit right in to a liturgical framework.