Hallelujah Wins 2008 Song of the Year Award

[Greg Ross]

Rightly and deservedly so, although I would gently argue that every song from the current world concert deserves the same accolade.

I wonder if there will be a"concert" sheet music album of Leonard's music? At the moment, in Australia, the compilation music albums available do not have Hallelujah, however it can be found in the music album for Shrek! So if you're looking for the sheet music, look for the Shrek album for Piano, Vocal and Guitar, it's published by Cherry Lane Music Company and retails in Australia for $36.95.

Out of interest, the last sheet music compilation of Leonard's music I purchased,was "The Concise Leonard Cohen," published by Wise Publications, retailing for $56.95 and featuring 40 of Leonard's fabulous works (not Hallelujah). Interestingly, most of them are in different keys to earlier albums of Leonard's work - I love the minor keys - Am just feels right.

The music rights in The Concise Leonard Cohen appear shared predominantly by Leonard Cohen Stranger Music, with Bad Monk Music owning the rights to several, such as "Sisters of Mercy." Hallelujah (in the Shrek album) is credited as being owned by Sony Music.

It would be very interesting to know what, if anything, goes to Leonard in the way of royalties - I suspect, but hope I'm wrong, that he get's very little. There's an interesting movement in the world of painting, to ensure that artists (and their nominated beneficiaries) receive on-going royalties when works are re-sold.

I know it's naive, but I would like to think that when I buy sheet music, or a CD etc, that the artist concerned ALWAYS receives financial reward.
Cheers