Hi Daka (if you're still reading this thread) and everyone. I think the question of Buddhism and Cohen's lyrics is a fascinating one, since on the one hand the man has engaged so intensely with Buddhist practice (even though he has always disavowed Buddhism as a religion), and on the other hand the ...

Hi Anne, I'm very flattered, thanks very much. I've read 'After The Ecstasy...', it's a very fine book. Have you ever heard Jack Kornfield speak in person? It's quite a remarkable experience, as he has an extraordinary kind of presence or charisma about him. His last book was a bit Californian, thou...

What did you folks think of the BBC Radio 2 programme on Hallelujah? (If you didn't hear it, it should be available on 'Listen Again' on the Radio 2 website). I was a little surprised that the lines which seemed to stand out for the presenter, and for at least one of the guests, were, 'she tied you ...

That's one of Cohen's most powerful meditations on the subject of gardening. Apparently, in an early version of the song the chorus went, "First we take Manhattan / Then we weed the flowerbeds in Prague" - but it was later changed.

Did Rufus Wainwright just sing, "the holy DUCK was movin' too"?

Famous Blue Raincoat AND Sisters of Mercy! And Whither Thou Goest! Woooaaah!

I am emotionally drained.

I've got one spare ticket for Tuesday night at Manchester Opera House - yours for cover price (£75).

Please PM or email me: el_goochio@yahoo.co.uk

hi imaginary, sorry i took so long to find my way back to this thread and respond, and thanks for the undeservedly-flattering comments. to be honest, i listened to dear heather through a couple of times, and it's been lurking unplayed in the recesses of my computer's memory since then - apart from '...

That's odd, Sideways - I heard he was locked in a kitchen somewhere. Possibly tied to the table.

"The blood, the soil, the faith" - I always heard a reference to Nazi "blood-and-soil mysticism" there.

Just got this yesterday... I'm trying to find my way into it, but it hasn't grabbed me by the throat just yet.

Anyone going to see old Nick on the upcoming tour? If you're going to the Hammersmith show, yell for Tupelo!

The first time I ever came across the words 'Leonard Cohen' was in a Roy Harper fanzine, picked up at a gig somewhere in Manchester. There was a review of the then-just-released 'I'm Your Man', and I thought this guy sounds interesting, I think I'll check him out... Harper was at least instrumental ...

Here's the question for Leonard which, typically, formulated itself in my mind five minutes after the end of the Q&A session at the Barbican. Since I blew my chance to ask him directly, I'll put it up here and see if anyone has any thoughts about it. The question is this. BOL is, at least on one lev...

If you have a spare moment, go to Scott Matthew's myspace page http://myspace.com/scottmatthewmusic and listen to his song 'In The End'. I assure you, you'll be glad you did.

OK, I'll have to time a trip up to Manchester to see this. But... 'Drawn to Words'? 'DRAWN TO WORDS'? Somebody please reassure me that LC wasn't the one who came up with this g-dawful title...