2 Rarely Seen Leonard Cohen Interviews On Video

[DrHGuy]

Maarten Massa alerted me to two outstanding Leonard Cohen interviews on video which seem to be inexplicably obscure and which became the basis of recent entries on my site. Both contain comments by LC I've not found elsewhere. After consideration, I'm posting this information here because I believe most of the folks who frequent the Forum will find these videos especially interesting, enlightening, and gratifying.

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1. De Polonaise Van Cohen (23:20): The May 9, 1993 (I think) Leonard Cohen Soundcheck And Interview prior to his Ghent concert of that date. This video not only offers a little known Leonard Cohen interview and a candid look at a pre-concert soundcheck but also excellent specimens of Cohen’s own brand of shuck and jive as well as a few of his most notable dance moves (see screen cap above).
Leonard Cohen Performs Soundcheck Conga And Speaks On The Summoning Of Courage: http://1heckofaguy.com/2011/03/07/leona ... f-courage/

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2. Cohen On Cohen (22:28): An interview with Leonard Cohen by Serge Simonart in 1992 is interwoven with Cohen songs. Information about this video is split between two posts:
A. Leonard Cohen Claims Joan Baez Brutally Violated His Song “Suzanne”: http://1heckofaguy.com/2011/03/08/leona ... g-suzanne/
B. Leonard Cohen On His Atrocious Voice, Dylan, Lead Belly, Ice-T, Songwriting, Love, & Where’s The Beef: http://1heckofaguy.com/2011/03/09/rarel ... -the-beef/

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A personal request to hard core Cohenites: I know I’ve seen portions of the 2nd video (Cohen On Cohen) elsewhere. Indeed, I specifically recognize the setting, including the slanted ceiling and window. I’m reasonably sure I posted it at Heck Of A Guy, but I haven’t been able to track it down. If a viewer could point me to that video on YouTube, my own site, or elsewhere, I’d be appreciative.

[lizzytysh]

I can't WAIT to watch these, Allan!
Thanks so much to Maarten and you for making that possible .
The initial photo speaks volumes .

[holydove]

WOW!! Those videos are brilliant, fascinating, beautiful, etc. etc.!!

Big THANK YOU''s to Maarten & DrH, for giving us access to them!!

[jeremek]

fantastic ! thank you !

[lizzytysh]

I'll try again later. Tried to get the first [dancing] one. Went to Polonaise and found the blurb description, but no video screen or any arrow to click on. Clicked on "Musique" above and then scrolled til dizzy trying to find it there, with no luck. I'll have to return to this one and the second one later. I sure hope I'll be able to watch these!

[Rain]

Thank G-d for Dr.H Guy. It makes having chronic Cohen syndrome an on-going treatable pleasure when I'm in need of a fix. Thank you, sir!
--Rain

[Rain]

Guess I should thank the good Dr.'s assistant, Maarten, too!

[oblivion]

...he was, is and will be simply the best!!!
great interview- that´s excactly what i needed to start my day
thank you leonard, doc + maarten!
ute

[wakeupmartin]

Just watched the interview. Really insightful. Some great lines from Leonard, and the interviewer was good too, quite witty at one point (won't spoil it). Thank you good people! Very good work.

[MaryB]

Pharmaceutical provider Maarten gave our good Doctor the best medicine for our prescription - these are true gems. I am feeling so much better, thank you!

[Artur]

Is there a way to get these (or at least the Gent 93 one) in a less compressed form, i.e. on a DVD?
Tons to offer.

[Maarten]

Is there a way to get these (or at least the Gent 93 one) in a less compressed form, i.e. on a DVD?
Tons to offer.

Artur,
I'm pretty sure these videos are not circulating anywhere amongst fans in better quality and IF they were, I'm sure you'd have a copy already!
Anyway, I will try and contact Cobra.be and see what happens. Cobra.be is "(c) vrt 2011" and vrt is the national television station here in Belgium, so perhaps I should try through their archives. I don't know how willing they are to share video material... (don't get your hopes up...)

The interview was done by Serge Simonart, a well known Belgian music critic/reviewer who is a die hard Lou Reed fan. I'm sure he has interviewed mr Cohen a couple of times so he might have some other private treasures. I'll try to get in touch with him too if I can...

I'll keep you informed on any progress in my quest.

Take care,
Maarten

[Artur]

Is there a way to get these (or at least the Gent 93 one) in a less compressed form, i.e. on a DVD?
Tons to offer.

Artur,
I'm pretty sure these videos are not circulating anywhere amongst fans in better quality and IF they were, I'm sure you'd have a copy already!
Anyway, I will try and contact Cobra.be and see what happens. Cobra.be is "(c) vrt 2011" and vrt is the national television station here in Belgium, so perhaps I should try through their archives. I don't know how willing they are to share video material... (don't get your hopes up...)

The interview was done by Serge Simonart, a well known Belgian music critic/reviewer who is a die hard Lou Reed fan. I'm sure he has interviewed mr Cohen a couple of times so he might have some other private treasures. I'll try to get in touch with him too if I can...

Phew! Managed to find the Simonart i/v. It was broadcast as "De Troubadour ven het Chelsea Hotel" on 13 December 1992 in Ziggurat on BRTN.
I had it incorrectly filed with 1992-11-27 Ned1 interview. Glad to be keeping some kind of record.

[donalagata]

Thank you , Maarten, Dr Guy and all who contributed to bringing these gems on video for us to see. These are the treasures which I look forward to on the forum.
donalagata

[Maarten]

Phew! Managed to find the Simonart i/v. It was broadcast as "De Troubadour ven het Chelsea Hotel" on 13 December 1992 in Ziggurat on BRTN.
I had it incorrectly filed with 1992-11-27 Ned1 interview. Glad to be keeping some kind of record.

Artur,
I should have known you had this one in your collection! Glad to hear you found it and have got it filed correctly now. (note: De Troubadour van het Chelsea Hotel)
Meanwhile, I contacted the vrt archives, but have had no reply yet. Their website says they will answer any questions/demands within a couple of weeks, so I'll wait a bit longer and send them a reminder later on... No luck in finding contact details for Serge Simonart though, although I must admit that I haven't searched very long because I was expecting (hoping for) an answer from the vrt.

Thanks for all your good work!
Maarten