cohen vs. dylan

[Ziyad]

Very good point John!

The timings could well work in that Dylan was out of action between Blonde and Blonde (66) and John Wesley Harding (68) and Songs of was released in 1967. Also, Leonard was 'discovered' by John Hammond, who had also signed Dylan and could well have introduced Dylan to LC's music. Or perhaps, as you suggest, it was based on Judy Collins' cover versions at the time - first recorded in 1966 - and she encouraged LC to play live with her in April 1967.

I can't believe Mrs Loaf would have made something like that up, because up to that point in our conversation, I'd not mentioned Leonard (only Bob Dylan and Todd Rundgren because of the Woodstock connection).

I'm surprised my 2 Dylanophiles didn't pick up on that fact, though their knowledge of Leonard's chronology is probably basic!

[rhona]

I'm sorry, but I just don't understand what the whole fasination with Bob Dylan is all about. His lyrics are too plain and simple. I never understood what was so special about his songs. I can't stand his voice, his music or his looks. He annoys me.

I thought I must be the only LC fan who doesn't like Dylan. My husband is a fan of BD, and so we've watched a couple of docs and stuff, and he seems such an arrogant misery! And his music to me utterly lacks whatever makes Leonard's shine. Shoot me down in flames, but Dylan was professing a disdain for his fans that I found baffling. Even if I'd liked him before, I would have gone off him then!

If that means he's a genius, then each to their own, but I prefer the gentleman genius of LC.

[UrPal]

Shoot me down in flames, but Dylan was professing a disdain for his fans that I found baffling. Even if I'd liked him before, I would have gone off him then!

You make Dylan sound quite appealling!

Seriously though, some of the things I do like about Dylan is his standoffishness, single-mindedness and curmudgeonliness.

There's no rule book that says that an artist should like his admirers. In fact, it is arguable that being an artist to an extent requires a degree of detachment from the world, and particularly from those who would hail your every move as a god-like gesture and tend to sway you towards mainstream/normative thinking.

You don't choose your fans, so why should you be duty bound to like them? Your boss at work might pay you, but it doesn't follow that you have to love your boss in return. A guarded respect borne mostly of necessity with some healthy degree of mistrust is more often the position.

If you review a lot of the online fan discussion forums there are very few in my experience which display fan qualities that are always endearing.

Disdain on!

[charlotta]

Both brilliant in my opinion. I would hate to choose because I love them both in their different ways. Both leading the way in the beginning with their lyrics and poetry. Long may they both reign.

[AvidCohenFan]

Not sure about whose songs I like more, cause I have more Cohen albums than Dylan ones, but I certainly like Cohen more than Dylan. Felt very sorry for the journalist with bad teeth that Dylan shouted at in Don't Look Back.

[kwills]

My husband is a huge fan of Dylan and tried his best to convert me to him,but maybe tried too hard and I was put off,but he did introduce me to LC,and that was it I was hooked!To me LC is more genuine and honest in his writings;while Dylan seems to be more sneering and know it allish if you see what I mean!though I do appreciate his talent and like a lot of his stuff.LC's voice though drags you down to somewhere else,his words and way of saying them is wonderful to listen to and to me he's simply the best.
Kwills

[ariadne]

I'm sorry, but I just don't understand what the whole fasination with Bob Dylan is all about. His lyrics are too plain and simple. I never understood what was so special about his songs. I can't stand his voice, his music or his looks. He annoys me.

I thought I must be the only LC fan who doesn't like Dylan. My husband is a fan of BD, and so we've watched a couple of docs and stuff, and he seems such an arrogant misery! And his music to me utterly lacks whatever makes Leonard's shine. Shoot me down in flames, but Dylan was professing a disdain for his fans that I found baffling. Even if I'd liked him before, I would have gone off him then!

If that means he's a genius, then each to their own, but I prefer the gentleman genius of LC.

I can relate to your sentiments. I saw Van Morrison maybe six years ago. He had no desire to build a relationship with his audience, and at one point finished the song and suddenly left the stage, never to return to it. Not a thank you, goodbye, nothing. Literally just walked off. My friend said at the time that it felt like a one night stand, what with him not even having the decency to say goodbye.

I can't imagine Leonard ever treating his fans with such disdain and I think this tour has proved again, just what a gentleman he is as I saw for myself in London. I shall go to see him again in Manchester in November, and Van Morrison meanwhile can sing to an empty hall for all I care.

[Quasand]

BOB DYLAN IS AWFUL!

[jarkko]

Porvoo, October 12

Willy, Jarkko, Eija, Sinikka, Adi, Wijbe

[Minna]

.

[John Etherington]

BOB DYLAN IS AWFUL!

Expand!

[Sue]

BOB DYLAN IS AWFUL!

Expand!

[Minna]

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[vienna55]

cohen vs dylan ? no competiton, in my opinion they are equally good in there different ways as someone said we are lucky to have both.blood on the tracks should be in everyones collection and also no I want go on this is a cohen site,maybe theres a dylanforum outthere.

[Lyricfan]

To me Cohen is "the man", because I find his lyrics much more picturesque. "What does he actually mean?" is the question I asked myself many times while listening to his songs.
And that's exactly what I like about his songs over a period of many, many years. It's not like he puts a statement and that's it - no, he provides you with stuff that immediately leads to a kind of mind-trip.
His lyrics are sometimes like a cuddly-toy you can play with, sometimes a lover, sometimes a challenge - and all the time interesting enough to examine them more closely.
That's what makes me an appreciator - and yes - "I'M YOUR FAN".