John Bliemer performing leonard's songs on youtube

[Mark A. Murphy]

I sent a message to John Bliemer asking him if the concert was available on DVD. I got a kind response, but he said the recording was only for the musicians taking part.

I will continue to return to his authentic interpretations of Leonard's songs, regardless of prevailing trends. May his star shine brightly.

[lizzytysh]

When I tried to rate one of the videos as a 5, I accidentally clicked on 4... and posted a message asking if there was any way to correct that. John answered me himself, saying that the important thing was that I liked the video, and that for him Leonard is the only one who rates a 5 anyway. I've tried to find it, so I could quote it, but now I can't. One of the things I appreciate about John's covers are that he's not pretending or trying to be Leonard.

At the same time, he's not trying to dramatize Leonard's songs. He's paying his respect to Leonard and to the songs by acknowledging their already-greatness by leaving well enough alone. He's not trying to be "Leonard's voice" which, as you accurately say, has "a type of redemption and a forgiveness" in it. He is, however, paying his respect and, in that gentle voice and holding true to the basics of the songs as Leonard wrote and sang them, there is a recognition and appreciation of the very dynamics that come through in Leonard's. His delivery is so mild, when we're pretty used to the reverse in covers of Leonard's songs, that it's bound to not appeal to some. I love it, though.

Yes, Phil... I do like other music. I've watched and listened to various YouTube things, but it really tangents and spiders out very quickly... even getting back to something I liked can prove difficult. I've found myself quickly finding some girl a bit shyly asking for sandwich recipes from all over the world because she loves sandwiches. No matter what you've just listened to, there are two more links superimposed at the end of it, that may or may not be related to it at all. I JUST learned about how to listen to more by the very artist you've just heard.

I've spent some time going from one to another, but it's all quite mazey to me. I, of course, have no idea what may end getting deleted by the studios. I wish they wouldn't do it, as some of the things I've seen are really HUGE treats.


~ Lizzy

[Philwilli]

Lizzy,i had a look at your "Channel" on YouTube and i see that you have no favorites.
If there is a video you like you will find a hearth under the video were it says "Save to Favorites",do that and press ok and you will be able to look at the videos you like via your "Channel" easy.

[lizzytysh]

Well, I didn't even know I had a "Channel" there, Phil. I thought my "Favorites" would put it into my own on my own computer. I figured I could just access it via the link here that Mark provided.

Is there a way to get back to the "emails" that are written/exchanged by/with me, also? After I answered John's to me, I deleted the notification of it. When I did that, I also had to start over with the 18 songs to try to find my original comment about my rating it. I'd forgotten which song I actually did it on. Then, I thought, I'll just go to my Sent folder in Yahoo... since that's where the notification came to... however, it wasn't there, so it's got to be in some YouTube space, but where? Did his 'email' to me show up publicly right after my own comment? When I find one, will I find both? If not, is there some private space thing going on with YouTube, to where along with my "Channel," I'll also find my email exchanges??

Thanks.

Hi Mark ~ I've just noticed what you wrote, during the same time I was writing my posting that directly followed yours.

I will continue to return to his authentic interpretations of Leonard's songs, regardless of prevailing trends. May his star shine brightly.
_________________

I agree absolutely with all aspects of your comment. I'm sorry to hear that there are no DVDs available. Thanks for checking. I mentioned that I'd love to have one, in one of my comments.


~ Lizzy

[linda_lakeside]

Hi Lizzy,

Have you seen all (hard to see 'all'), but at least 'many' of the old videos of Leonard on YouTube? Some are truly great, some kind of 'dated' in the video context, some videos with arrangements of familiar tunes I've 'never' heard.

I esp. like the Isle of Wight version of a bearded Leonard performing Suzanne. Usually when he performs Suzanne, it's at the end of a concert, as an encore, and by that time he's getting a little 'ragged', but the Isle of Wight is a very good performance. Then, of course, Hallelujah, both Buckley's and his, which differ so much. Buckley's coming out on top, I think. Leonard looked a little 'uncomfortable' in his. Stranger Song. I am so very glad that there is an 'official' video archive of Leonard's performances. They're quite popular right now, and I hope they remain so.

Linda.

PS: I was unable to load, or even find the video in question here. Maybe my search abilities aren't up to snuff. I've only been familiar with YouTube recently, as people began sending vids. to me. I'm afraid, also, that a lot went by the wayside, as I too had trouble with the 'favourites' and 'channel', sharing, etc. Wonderful archival footage though. So much I've never seen. I don't think I even want to look at the one with Leonard and Judy Collins. Maybe some other day, after I've had a stiff drink, or something.

[Wybe]

Hi all,

In Other Gatherings I reported this already;
viewtopic.php?t=8096

Wijbe

[lizzytysh]

Aha! You sure did, Wijbe. Thanks for your link.
Thanks for your link. I see now that I never watched the footage. Who knows what interfered with that intention. Probably the "after I get home late" explains it all. I know I couldn't get it at the time I was writing because it gets blocked.

I'll go there and make some comments.


~ Lizzy

[lizzytysh]

Hi Linda ~

Not even close. I'm a newer comerer to YouTube than you are... just learning how it works, really. I've seen some that have ended up in my Favourites, with some help , but many more to go. Is there a master listing somewhere of all of those of Leonard, so I can be somewhat organized and methodical about this?

I finally heard Jeff Buckley's in close enough time-proximity to The Four Norwegians to see why just hearing a snippet of it caused me to think it was the latter rather than Jeff. I love both covers. Of course, I'm a purist when it comes to Leonard singing his own songs, so I still prefer the original. I'm not speaking of any videos here, when I say that.

Don't you like Judy Collins, or is any excuse for a stiff drink better than none ? Hm... kinda makes me want one .


~ Lizzy

[linda_lakeside]

Well, no, I'm not much of a Judy Collins fan, never have been. I know how much she influenced/helped Leonard in the early days, but I still can't handle her. Mind you, there is one video of them together, I'll take that drink, and see if I can watch (eyes and ears on Leonard).

There is a search a facility, where you can punch in say "Leonard Cohen" or 'related' (like Buckley) and a list will appear, of which you just click on and watch. It takes some getting used to, and I'm still pretty new. Most of the vids I've seen were sent to me, but today I found several. One of Leonard doing Hallelujah (looking uncomfortable as I said), with an elaborate stage set, and when he said "Hallelujah", all kinds of people stepped into archways set up on the stage. Like I said, it looked dated, but it was Leonard, alright. The Isle of Wight was a good performance, with several others. So, my suggestion would be to become familiar with their 'search' methods. You 'do' have an acct. I take it?

Once you get onto the search thing, you can find all kinds of long forgotten stuff. It's amazing all the material that's been collected. Then save them to your faves. Share them. Whatever. Def. worth it. I hadn't seen much live Leonard until the boots, now this, it's great. Never did find the cover you guys were talking about, though.

Linda.

[Lilifyre]

Hi all, I just fell across these tribute clips on YouTube. For the most part, I really didn't like the versions of the songs. The backup singers were way off the tunes and off key many times. I do appreciate that they were paying tribute to Leonard. The best of the lot, I felt, was The Partisan (as to whether or not it's a "Leonard song", I agree with you on that one, Lizzy). I know from various interviews that Leonard is very honored by those who like his work well enough to perform it, so I have to give Mr Bliemer and his group an "A" for effort, if nothing else. It was a lovely tribute. I still prefer Leonard doing Leonard. All covers are merely imitations, some better than others.

Lili