Dear Heather

jeannieb · Post by **jeannieb** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 6:05 am

We were sitting in the middle about 1/4 of the way back, between the speakers (a lucky happenstance) and got a good hearing. I found the rhythms to be complex, the whole "feeling" to be detached, wry, existential, except for the one about New York being wounded, which of course made me cry ( I seem to have spent a lot of time wiping away tears of joy!). All about the lightness of being. I definitely thought I heard the influence of Mt Baldy here, but it IS quite possible (heh,heh) that I was reading into it.

I am thinking this may be the most controversial recording yet among the faithful. I can tell you, though, I haven't been able to get the title song out of my head.

Henning · Post by **Henning** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 11:51 am

I want to add that I also really like the title "Dear Heather". It is soooo Leonard to surprise us with simplicity at times. I have to say that I left the room after I heard 3 songs. To me it is kind of a ceremony to hear a CD for the very first time. It must be with headphones and the booklet in my hand. I love the smell of the booklet together with the bombardement of voice, lyrics and instruments. It is like you discover a new island. Sometimes you are disappointed of what of you find and sometimes tears run down your face from all the beauty.

I don't want to miss to say how much I enjoyed the company of these young California fellows Sean and Jason. I watched the happiness in their face, which brought happiness to myself. Take the walk on the wildside and go that far for beauty.

Kush · Post by **Kush** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 5:47 pm

Thanks John. Although I s'pose it could still be one of the songs you didnt hear

. Yeah....Vega's Undertow is an excellent song.

peter danielsen · Post by **peter danielsen** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 6:01 pm

its hard not to envy those of you who have had the pleasure of listening to "dear hearther", I hope there will soon be outtakes on the files

Peter

smccallon · Post by **smccallon** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 6:21 pm

Henning,

Thank you so much for the wonderful comments! I listened to your entire CD when I arrived home this past Friday. I was instantly blown away by how well you set poems of Cohen's The Energy of Slaves to music. I really like the arrangement of "Great envious heart."
The convention was definitely one of the best weekends of my life and my time in New York City was grand! We definitely did take that walk on the wildside and we did go far for beauty. Thank you so much for the CD and the warm comments. They are appreciated.

-Sean
http://www.livejournal.com/users/passthrufire

lightning · Post by **lightning** » Wed Jun 23, 2004 12:43 am

From the picture Heather appears to be young, vulnerable, and Japanese like the stamped artist signature. She is looking up at someone or something: her master, Leonard, a man taller than she? All of the above? Parted lips indicate open sensuality. No surprise tht Heather is dear.

Midnight · Post by **Midnight** » Wed Jun 23, 2004 2:28 pm

It may be my faulty imagination but I could swear I have seen this drawing somewhere before.

She is looking up at someone or something: her master, Leonard, a man taller than she?

Well if she's standing when she's "looking up" at Master Leonard she's about 4'8".

jeannieb · Post by **jeannieb** » Thu Jun 24, 2004 4:05 am

How tall IS our idol?

Personally, I adore short men.

smccallon · Post by **smccallon** » Thu Jun 24, 2004 8:21 am

The height of Mr. Cohen seems to be such a hot topic here! I wish someone would clear this up and tell his exact height. Or... Maybe we will never know and the speculation will continue FOREVER! hahaha... Either way, I am amused.

-Sean
http://www.livejournal.com/users/passthrufire

Teratogen · Post by **Teratogen** » Thu Jun 24, 2004 9:31 am

henning, i wish to thank you for the wonderful compliment. sean and i were only SOMEWHAT out of place, but it was an easy settlement we made amongst the rest of the cohen fans. we arrived a day early and we kept saying to ourselves, "i bet no one here thinks we're here for the cohen event." people were surprised when they saw us with the event pins! but it is reassuring to know that there are fans, such as yourself, henning, that happily welcome us youngsters. haha. thank you so much.

i'm sorry we did not get to formally meet, but i did see your performance sunday night. i know sean got your cd, but i have not heard it yet. i do look forward to it, however. thank you again, henning, and i hope your plans for berlin are successful, as our attempts to make it there will hopefully be!

Midnight · Post by **Midnight** » Thu Jun 24, 2004 2:15 pm

He claimed to be 5'8". You lose a half inch for each decade lived. Leonard is finishing his seventh decade. That makes him 5'4" or 5'4" and a half. Plus more shrinkage due to cigarette consumption. Probably, two more inches. That makes him 5'2".

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Thu Jun 24, 2004 6:34 pm

"Existential" ~ Excellent word choice, Jeannie. That was the sense I got from it, as well, with my compromised hearing of it. I really look forward to the 'ceremony' that Henning has described. Absent the headphones, that has been my initial introduction to new albums, as well. Adding them sounds like an excellent idea. Just me and the music. Mmmm

Post by **jarkko** » Thu Jun 24, 2004 6:57 pm

I have now replaced the cover art of "Dear Heather"
at http://www.leonardcohenfiles.com/ny-heather.html
with originals -- those I first posted were scanned from
a color photo copy.
Jarkko

smccallon · Post by **smccallon** » Thu Jun 24, 2004 9:28 pm

Lizzy,

Yes! Headphones are definitely the way to go with first hearing an album. Leonard Cohen albums are much better on headphones. New sounds come out and the words hit you harder. I remember when I first listened to TNS on headphones, wow, it was quite the experience. Dear Heather is going to be the same way!

-Sean
http://www.livejournal.com/users/passthrufire

Wenslauw · Post by **Wenslauw** » Thu Jun 24, 2004 11:24 pm

smccallon wrote:Lizzy,

Yes! Headphones are definitely the way to go with first hearing an album. Leonard Cohen albums are much better on headphones. New sounds come out and the words hit you harder. I remember when I first listened to TNS on headphones, wow, it was quite the experience. Dear Heather is going to be the same way!

-Sean
http://www.livejournal.com/users/passthrufire

Why are they better on headphones? Doesn't it just mean you need a better stereo system?