Have you heard Dear Heather?

Leonard Cohen's recent albums - share your views with others!
Tchocolatl
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Post by Tchocolatl »

Byron, I was told not to do it before going to bed for the same reason. But to do it during the morning (not when just got off the bed) and then before the night meal. And I was told not to meditate more than 20 minutes, that is was not necessary.

I suppose.

:)
***
"He can love the shape of human beings, the fine and twisted shapes of the heart. It is good to have among us such men, such balancing monsters of love."

Leonard Cohen
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Byron
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Post by Byron »

Hello T. Meditate before a meal and not just after a meal. Use the TM to recharge and relax in the middle of the day. And again in the early evening before your main meal. 20 minutes is enough, although there have been times when I was 'under' for about an hour. Mind blowing stuff and not to be repeated.
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lizzytysh
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Post by lizzytysh »

Every time I listen to "Villanelle For Our Time," I have the same thought, that I want this played at my funeral, or memorial service, whichever it ends up being. It gives me a feeling that I would like to be thought of as "rising to play a greater part."

With the dovetailing of "On That Day" and "Villanelle," I first get a feeling of hope, with "wounded New York" ~ with that not being a statement of arrogance, but rather one of hope, and our ability to heal from that wound. They didn't destroy New York, but rather wounded it. Then, "Villanelle" follows and speaks of faith and our rising to play a greater part, and that men shall know commonwealth again, from bitter searching of the heart, bypassing the venal chart and private gain. I feel a kind of hope when I listen to these two songs, as though we will one day rise to our own highest good and a greater part.

For me, it's then underscored by "The Faith." [Yeah, I know......" . . . she walks to the beat of a different drummer." :wink: ] Perhaps, I'm projecting my own need for a feeling of hope onto Leonard's choice of words. I'll own up to that, if it be the case.

~ Elizabeth
Tchocolatl
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Post by Tchocolatl »

***
"He can love the shape of human beings, the fine and twisted shapes of the heart. It is good to have among us such men, such balancing monsters of love."

Leonard Cohen
Beautiful Losers
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lightning
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Post by lightning »

I don't know what good Villanelle for our Times will do at your funeral or memorial service as the act of rising from there has thus far only been limited to one and not everybody believes it. I hope you "rise to play a greater" long before your funeral. The poem is supposed to help or motivate you and you seem to be off to a good start with your service to others on this board and at work.
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lizzytysh
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Post by lizzytysh »

Thanks, Lightning. Yes, I know it really applies to this lifetime. However, it just has such a comforting and positive sound to it, and I can always look forward to other lifetimes :wink: . I also didn't mean 'rise alive' ~ simply 'rise' :D .

~ Lizzy
Don G
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Post by Don G »

I was listening to ten new songs last night and reading "The Favorite Game" and started thinking of what songs I would want at my funeral. this is strange. well I suppose not to strange I have found most of cohens music very spiritual. maybe those people that say his music is deppresive are right?
or maybe not.
I would like The land of Plenty and There For You plaid at mine.
no wounder people say I'm morbid :lol:
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3Cees
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Critic bashing

Post by 3Cees »

I don't like it, it's not fair. So because I didn't like the record, that means I don't understand it? I know it isn't always true, but is it possible - even remotely - that the fact that I'm a critic might mean I understand it at least as much as the rest of you? I do understand it. I also understand that I could name seven or eight better Leonard Cohen albums than Dear Heather.

My review is here: http://www.stylusmagazine.com/review.php?ID=2489
Tchocolatl
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Post by Tchocolatl »

Hello 3Cees - Fair? What fair? What is fair? What is unfair is to say "I do not like it" out of injustice which is pay no respect for the process of the art piece by the creator. To say "I do not like it" out of a social prejudice of some sort without having being humble and human enough to make an effort of thought, sensitive opening to the creation. Having done this, you may say, "I do not like it" and it is fair to me. Moreover you are showing a great concern about Cohen, and this is appealing to me. As far as I'm concern your "I do not like it" is fair.

For example. When speaking about Cohen you compare him with Dylan, like all "old fans" do often. I never like Bob Dylan. OK I was a bit too young for him to be my pop hero (which I never had, however), but than Cohen is in the same case. But I like Cohen and I do not like Bob Dylan, never had. It was such a fake to me. I always thought that I came to late, that he should gulp his harmonica and let all of us rest and forget about it, and the words where goods, sometimes, but please let somebody else sing them. In his - this is your concept - strange bio he said that he never like to be what he was and also the people who worship him as a prophet of a generation. It was a surprise to me, but I was comfort into my opinion of him. In the contrary Cohen never try to be something he was not. For this I had a great respect. And yes, admiration because it is difficult to do for any "nobody", and much more when you are a celebrity.

And you may not like DH. I do. The fact that I am not a critic must not mean that I cannot understand it.

He just can not be what he was some years ago. He is something else. In all the meanings it can bring to mind.

I do not like all of what he has done, but where is the problem. You do not like DH. Where is the problem? No problem. Enjoy what you like.

Is it a prayer to him (may I say?) Please Mr. Cohen next time, give me something that is more in my taste? Why not? In this case, please, let know what are your favorite Cohen of all time. :)
***
"He can love the shape of human beings, the fine and twisted shapes of the heart. It is good to have among us such men, such balancing monsters of love."

Leonard Cohen
Beautiful Losers
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3Cees
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Post by 3Cees »

I have no problem with people not liking the record. My issue is with people I've read throughout this thread suggesting that the critics who gave Dear Heather bad reviews didn't "get it" or whatever.

Also, not once did I suggest that the critics necessarily understand more about the album/Leonard Cohen/music than ordinary fans. Once again, I object to the view that critics know "nothing" or less than those fans who enjoyed the album. If you read back, you'll see that I argued as a critic I know "at least as much" about Cohen as his regular fans.

I think it's strange that some users of this board have categorized people who like or dislike the record by whether they understand it or not. There isn't anything to understand. You don't have to be an intellectual to enjoy Cohen, or Dear Heather. I mean, come on - it isn't exactly Ulysses.

Check http://www.metacritic.com and search for Dear Heather, you'll find that those of us who didn't like the record are very much in the minority. But that don't make it junk.

My review wasn't a prayer to Cohen, seen as I don't think I could ever like an artist that much as to create a deity out of one. I don't necessarily want him to return to a specific era of his music and rehash it, I just feel that the standard has dropped considerably since The Future (which in itself is a little patchy), and that I really want him to make one last, fantastic album. As one of the people who penned a comment on the bottom of my review said, "steal his Casio and shoot his backing singers". Personally, I'd probably let the singers stay, but the keyboard has to go. I challenge any of you to name another artist you would tolerate using such flimsy, tacky sounds to back such serious tones.

I liked what someone said earlier on about him recording an album in the style of Field Commander Cohen, that sounds cool. My favourite Cohen records are The Songs Of..., Death Of A Ladies' Man and I'm Your Man - covering all of his many and varied eras. I think there's scope - even at seventy - for a huge Cohen album that comprises all of these sounds, and also includes (though not exclusively), him picking up the guitar once more. That'd be cool.
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lightning
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Post by lightning »

thanks for the metacritic link-- an interesting site to bookmark!
I keep thinking, " First you get a good review, then you get a bad review but don't get suckered either way cause none of them know you," a memorable line from rising indies star Jeffrey Lewis, from the song "Don't let the Record Company Take You Out to Lunch" on his second CD on Rough Trade, "It's the Ones Who've Cracked that the Light Shines through."

And the line from Psalms, "Cast me Not Off in My Old Age."
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lizzytysh
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Post by lizzytysh »

And the line from Psalms, "Cast me Not Off in My Old Age.":( ~ Now that one touches me.

I'm wondering whether anyone finds themselves humming [inside or outside their head] songs from "Dear Heather" that they originally thought might not lend themselves to singing spontaneously. I've found that I'm both going to sleep [when I'm not listening to it directly] and waking up with one of the many songs going through me.
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Byron
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Post by Byron »

When I wake up it's usually to the refrain, "Stop that bloody snoring!!"

I can't even blame Albert. He's out clubbin' most nights. Not dancin,' mind you, but beatin' bears up. Once he gets a couple of winegums down him, he's quite nasty.
Charles
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Post by Charles »

I did not like Dear Heather because of the tacky music. I don't understand why LC doesn't use real musicians and a professional studio. Surely, it can't be the expense. Why did the last two albums have to be made on the cheap. I have a friend who has Pro Tools and a very small studio (it's just a hobby) and even she makes better sounding CDs. Even The Faith which had all the great old musicians, sounds like all the parts were recorded separately and then mailed in and mixed together. It's obvious that some of them were not even in the same state let alone the same studio. I would blame Leanne Ungar but I don't think it's her fault. She probably can't keep him from controlling everything. Not only do I wish he would ditch the Casio but I hope he razes his studio.
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3Cees
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Post by 3Cees »

Finally.
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