The first note - how you found LC and how it affected you

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Sat Jul 26, 2003 6:38 pm

You may be right, Greta, but I sure wouldn't rely on it!!!

magneticcry · Post by **magneticcry** » Mon Jul 28, 2003 7:37 am

well,at least i don`t think so,without you greta,i would have no idea who the heck is LC...and that would be sad....more than sad...so,you must! be thanked

cbel · Post by **cbel** » Mon Jul 28, 2003 3:54 pm

Hi I'm new to this board. I really enjoyed reading all of your messages. It is amazing how LC has been able to inspire so many people with his music.

I was 19 when I first discovered his music. Some friends had told me that I would probably like his lyrics so I went out and bought a "best of" album. I have to admit that it took me a while until I actually started paying attention to the lyrics. The first verse that I remember clearly (and it is probably that verse that got me hooked) was: You who must leave everything that you cannot control, It beggins with your family but soon it comes around to your soul... That summer I fell in love with LC. I bought all his albums as well as his two novels. His music was all that I would listen to for months.

I have to admit that I even began walking up and down Aylmer street (Montreal) because I learned that he had once had an apartment there. I would wonder about what building it was that he had written all those beautiful lyrics in.

What has always struck me about Cohen's poetry is the complexity of experience that it communicates. Each song is an emotional mosaic that rings true regardless of your background. It is simply about life in all of its richness. What amazes me is that even after five years of listening to his songs, I will always hear something new or understand some line in a new and different way. Now that is real art!

greta · Post by **greta** » Mon Jul 28, 2003 4:58 pm

cbel...
His music is really extraordinary isn't it?
I can listen to other music and i do but somehow i'm really hooked to LC's music..
I truly found him about a month ago and ever since i have been listening to his songs...I have listened to other artists too but 8 songs out of 10 are LC's...My mother asked me if i wasn't tired of this music...well...no
I hope this "obsession" will go away in time without me beginning to hate his music..
I feel pretty wierd

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Mon Jul 28, 2003 6:09 pm

Greta ~

I've been listening for 30 years and I've never tired of Leonard's music, much less come to hate it. I also have acquired new experiences through which to process his timeless words and lyrics in new and different ways. His songs continue to trigger strong, emotional responses, as well. From what I've seen in your postings, I strongly suspect it will be this way with you, too.

~ Elizabeth

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Mon Jul 28, 2003 6:10 pm

Cbel ~

Welcome to the Forum

! That's a very eloquent and romantic description of how you came to Leonard's music and how it's been for you. It's so true what you say about the measure of real art!

~ Elizabeth

cbel · Post by **cbel** » Mon Jul 28, 2003 6:12 pm

Hi Greta,

I don't think that it is possible to hate his music! Not if you are already hooked!

I totally understand how you feel. The first few months after I discovered LC, I felt like I was always in a trance. I drove my roomates absolutely crazy by listening to his CDs over and over again! I tried to get everyone one I knew to listen to him and share my passion. Yes I think I was obssessed. I still am. But now I am able to listen to other music as well. However, everything else I listen to just seems to lack the deapness and sophistication of LC's music. And his voice is just so incredible too! Though it is monotonous, at the same time he always seems to be on the verge of cracking with emotion.

I don't want to sound completely obssessed, but I have to admit that half of what attracted me to my current boyfriend is that he reminded me of a young LC: a dark poet with intense and mysterious eyes

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Mon Jul 28, 2003 6:16 pm

Hi Cbel ~

And I don't even find his voice monotonous, at all, but rather very emotive in its subtler of ways.

~ Elizabeth

cbel · Post by **cbel** » Mon Jul 28, 2003 6:24 pm

Thank you Elizabeth,

It is true what you say about the timelessness of his words and lyrics. Even after five years I have lived many experiences that have allowed me to reinterprete his songs in new and increasingly complex ways. I don't think it is possible to ever tire of his words.

I've heard stories of people waiting around for him outside his Montreal apartment. Though I am obssessed with LC, I must resist the temptation to stalk him

Christine

cbel · Post by **cbel** » Mon Jul 28, 2003 6:30 pm

I have to agree with you Elizabeth. He has a very emotional voice. I say monotonous because he doesn't try to force on the emotion like most singers. The emotion is just simply there. I just think that it is amazing that he has so much control.

And most of the people I drove crazy when I would always listen to his CDs tended to characterise his voice that way.

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Mon Jul 28, 2003 6:56 pm

Hi Cbel ~

Yes, true that that's how people dismiss him. They also tend not to have listened to his lyrics when they've said that. Interestingly, however, is that many from countries other than my own, who do not even understand his words, are initially drawn to his voice and the emotion in it! Back to my soul-cluster theory

.

I can certainly understand your being drawn to your current paramour due to his characteristics of resemblance, particularly when they include "dark poet." We are reported to seek/connect with those who resemble our fathers/mothers. How about a close relative, as Leonard feels to me?

~ Elizabeth

cbel · Post by **cbel** » Mon Jul 28, 2003 7:14 pm

Hi Elizabeth

It's funny, my experience has been different. Most of the French people I know find his music boring (there are a few exceptions however). And most of the English people I know are much more able to appreciate his poetry; the complexity of it.
His voice is a very important part of his music, but it is definitely his lyrics that caught my attention in the first place. I know of no other songwriter with as much talent. His words are simply amazing. But I have to admit that I probably wouldn't love him as much if his voice were not as deep and sensual

Rhodes · Post by **Rhodes** » Mon Jul 28, 2003 8:02 pm

If you want to hear LC singing in a less subtly emotional way, you should listen to "Songs of Love and Hate". Particularly the hate songs!

cbel · Post by **cbel** » Mon Jul 28, 2003 8:47 pm

Yes that's true! That album quite openly emotional.

I was thinking mostly about some of his more recent stuff. New Skin for an Old Ceremony is also very emotional.

I wasn't trying to say that his voice is not emotional. On the contrary it is very much so. He just delivers his emotions in a very controlled manner and I think that that makes them even more real for the listener.

Christine

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Mon Jul 28, 2003 9:19 pm

Jazz Police isn't particularly subtle, either

. The "subtlety" that I refer to directly relates to the songs wherein people refer to his voice as "monotonous." Controlled in those cases, yes; heightening the emotional impact, in fact.