Cohen on the Grammys

[Lilifyre]

I'm wondering how many of the "artists" and their fans....especially the ad nauseam "Hip Hop" and "Rap" aficionados.... even know the derivation of the term "Grammy"? Also, how many of them have a clue about what the little statuette represents.

I've been listening to Leonard a lot today in an effort to drown out the noise of Beyonce screaming in my head the first line of her "All the single ladies". It's worse than getting "Wheels on the bus" stuck in your head!!!!!!

Lili

[LisaLCFan]

I think that it is just shameful that Leonard was essentially snubbed by the Grammy people (again!) for that pathetic mention on the televised thing. Of course, to paraphrase my favourite singer-songwriter-poet-awesome-human-being, I am impressed with the modesty they have for his work (but I am unimpressed that a bigger fuss wasn't made of him on the televised show. He's a musical god, don't they know?). It's like the whole Lifetime Achievement Award was no different than some technical award for best insertion of track breaks on a CD. Leonard deserved more recognition than what he got.

(But, I suppose he--and we--ought to be used to that sort of thing by now. It doesn't make it right, though.)

[bridger15]

Here is a new link for LC’s acceptance speech at the special Grammys, January 30, 2010

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHSfAUJ_TUE

Sorry, I accidentally erased the first Youtube post. But I uploaded it again.

No jokes about my slippery finger, please.

btw. The acceptance speech clip had about 800 hits compared to LC’s arrival at the theatre with approx 1200 hits.

---Arlene

[MaryB]

btw. The acceptance speech clip had about 800 hits compared to LC’s arrival at the theatre with approx 1200 hits.

---Arlene

And for good reason - you video had much more human interest - you go Arlene !

[Lilifyre]

Arlene, thanks for posting the acceptance speech. How perfect that Leonard would use Tower of Song as his acceptance.

As for the reviewer who described him as "unshaven", I have to ask if that person happened to see any of the other artists present? Leonard was (as usual) impeccable in his appearance. His beard was perfectly shorn and his trademark tailored suit and grey shirt were quite classy. Perhaps they expected him to show up in torn jeans or leather pants with his hair looking like he stuck his finger in a light socket and grabbing his crotch like so many of the younger "artists" (I use the term quite loosely in some cases). Or maybe he should come out in sequins, facepaint and grotesque eyewear like Sir Elton? Leonard IS Leonard. His sensuousness oozes from his very being. Even at 75 yrs, he projects a mystique that younger men can only imagine. He doesn't need an outrageous outfit, makeup or vulgar body movements to "touch your perfect body..." His "golden voice", worn to a fine patina, moves inside women and men, gay or straight alike.

His "20,000 angels" here on this forum know he is perfection. Those who seek out his flaws (which IMHO don't really exist) only do so because they don't understand his perfection.

Lili

[lightasabreeze]

Well if it was not for this forum, I would never have known anything about the award anyway, because BBC and ITV never mentioned anything and the radio stations only mentioned Michael Jackson. I wonder what poor Leonard has ever done to be snubbed by the media in the UK. His concerts are sell-outs, which is all that matters, but he really deserves better treatment.
Danny Baker is about the only presenter that has played anything of Leonard's and that is only occasionally.
Never mind Leonard - We all love you.

[Rain]

[quote] Leonard IS Leonard. His sensuousness oozes from his very being. Even at 75 yrs, he projects a mystique that younger men can only imagine. He doesn't need an outrageous outfit, makeup or vulgar body movements to "touch your perfect body..."

VERY well put......as I've said before, there's a reason that this man of 75 makes my soon-to-be 40-year old heart pound dangerously fast in my chest like a cartoon character....especially when I hear that "golden voice"; I could pick it out of a crowd of a thousand people.......

My own mother, who is very conservative and oh, shall we say prudish, heard Leonard's voice the first time and exclaimed "Oh MY!" Even SHE was turned on!

Most of the other "artists" on that Grammy show, will never achieve anything approaching this man's sensuousness.......having sensuousness is CLASS.....grabbing your crotch IS NOT.

I'll shut up now........[/b]

[jeremek]

Full a disappointment. Yesterday was a television programm in the Polish TV the Grammy Awards. There was no word of Mr. Cohen.
Shame disgrace to everyone which are promoting only a clown and a persons in a bizarre disguise. what is it in today's world about ?
I am last naive or I am not keeping up.

I thank Arlene. your great merit.
j.

[LEONKA]

Today, February 2 .. Slovak daily SME wrote the article on the Grammy Awards ceremony. About our dear Leonard wrote just there, that Leonard Cohen got his first Grammy Award statuette for lifetime achievement. That was all. I waited to write something more, but these are the typical Slovak journalists. they write only what suits them and even shorten the text.

I do not know what so great singing Beyonce and Taylor Swift, but wrote about them more than they deserve attention. It's my opinion.

[Wimmer]

This is not different in Austria. A short article in the News, not more.

[LEONKA]

Hi Wimmer

it surprised me that even in Austria not to write more about Leonard´s.

[Wimmer]

Hi Leonka!

Unfortunately

But there is a Radio Station - Radio Vienna- and there are playing songs from Leonard Cohen, almost every day

[Steven]

Hi,

Full a disappointment. Yesterday was a television programm in the Polish TV the Grammy Awards. There was no word of Mr. Cohen.
Shame disgrace to everyone which are promoting only a clown and a persons in a bizarre disguise. what is it in today's world about ?
I am last naive or I am not keeping up.

I thank Arlene. your great merit.
j.

Hi Jeremek,

The shallow, superficial and exhibitionistic predominates in today's world. I don't think you are naive. Glad that
there's this community and plenty of folks turning up at Leonard's concerts and proving that there's a substantial
public that values Leonard's music. Among artists of quality, almost all that I know who are familiar with Leonard
Cohen value his contributions at least as much as we do here. Don't expect much from the mainstream media
and most of their spokespeople; it's mostly about the money with them and largely their artistic sensitivity is
about that of a pile of stones.

[Lilifyre]

Steven wrote:

Don't expect much from the mainstream media
and most of their spokespeople; it's mostly about the money with them and largely their artistic sensitivity is
about that of a pile of stones.

Good point, Steven. If truth be told, glitz and glitter attract attention, but they don't hold the interest that something more substantial does. I find the following quote by J.R.R.Tolkien to be quite appropriate here:

“All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost; the old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost. From the ashes a fire shall be woken, a light from the shadows shall spring; renewed shall be blade that was broken, the crownless again shall be king.”

Lili

[LEONKA]

Wimmer wrote:
Hi Leonka!

Unfortunately

But there is a Radio Station - Radio Vienna- and there are playing songs from Leonard Cohen, almost every day

Hi Wimmer

In Slovakia, not to play anything from Leonard !!!!!!!!

But luckily I have more CDs, so I can listen to Leonard.