Tom Jones v Leonard

[Doug Hamilton]

On Robert Elms show on BBC Radio London there is a slot called 'cover to cover', whereby listeners give their preference of different versions of the same song Today it was Tower of Song with Tom Jones' version competing against the main man. Of course Leonard won but very interesting comments including yours truly. You can catch on the BBC web site. www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/p00rm3vv. Fast forward to 2:00. Only 7 days to hear it

[st theresa1]

Thanks Doug--could not believe it when the host said he had never heard of this song--I thought by now that was an impossibility. I guess I am biased though. Listening to Leonard singing it just now. Yeah still prefer Leonard's version---also enjoyed hearing the host exclaim on how extraordinary the song was. Funny

[Gabby]

Hello there Doug, many thanks for giving us the chance of listening to this radio clip, (and I must admit I loved having the chance of listening to the actual voice of another fellow 'cohenite' from the forum!!!) Just for the hell of it I think the TJ version is ok but holds no candle to the main man! I couldn't believe some of the things the presenter Elms was saying. (as you said "amazed"),...never heard of the song!!!, the' Do Dum Dum's' are terrible!! the backing girls are annoying!! ...and his best remark..."I didn't know he (LC) could write a tune!!!! PLEASE!!! And you were so right when you said you have to listen to it (LC's music) for it to become listenable. As I have always said one really has to listen before the poetry for it all opens up to one. Don't you get so p***ed off when they keep coming out with the old waffle of 'laughing Lenny'... as for the comments which were attributed to a caller called Rob re LC music of the 80's.....Oh I give up!!!
Anyway, roll on the forthcoming tour...for those of us who truly do appreciate the sheer genius of the man!

Just noticed Tom Jones is on Graham Norton's show, wonder will he sing 'The Tower' .....(I know, how sad is it that I am in on a Sat night watching telly...note to self...get a hobby!!!)

[sebmelmoth2003]

from the mail on sunday - may 20.

tim de lisle reviews `spirit in the room`.
---------
...if you want to do the full johnny cash, it's not enough to find some meaty songs, unplug the instruments and pose for a sepia photo.

you have to show your age, raise your game and lower your guard.

jones does all this on three outstanding tracks...

...his assault on leonard cohen's tower of song is another partial success.

the line "i was born with the gift of a golden voice" gets a big laugh when cohen sings (or speaks) it but in jones's hands it ceases to be a joke.

he also changes "tied to the table" to "tied to the stage" which disrupts the rhythm and confirms that he is no songwriter himself.

but the arrangement is strong replacing the synthesisers with an insistent acoustic guitar and in the middle eight when the humour gives way to thwarted passion jones is magnificent...

tom starts singing (on GN show) at 4 minutes 30 seconds into this video :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b389k3oO ... ature=plcp

[sebmelmoth2003]

this week’s ‘Cover To Cover’ is Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen and Jeff Buckley.

both records played - listeners phone in to express opinions - jeff buckley won!!

item 14.00 hours - to 14.30 hour as broadcast - that's from 2 hours into the programme onwards approx.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01gcjsw

[Vicomte]

Here in France it is attributed to Jeff Buckley. I have given up telling them that it was LC that wrote it...It is the best version of a Leonard Cohen song in my opinion.