When did you first hear of L. C. ?

TheOriginalF · Post by **TheOriginalF** » Fri Sep 03, 2004 6:11 am

But through his literary work. About eight years ago a friend of mine gave me a copy of the "Beautiful Losers" which I promptly read and loved. I had no idea he was a musician as well but I loved the book and his name stuck with me over the years. I didn't find out that he was a musician until I was scowering a used record store and found some CDs by one of my favorite authors...I was shocked! So needless to say I had to purchase one of his CDs just to hear what he sounds like. I purchased "The Essentials" brought it home and listened to it...and I hated it...But that's not the end of the story, see Leonard Cohen stuck in my head, and even though I hated the CD something about it made me want to keep listening to it. I kept putting it off until late one night when I needed some quite music so I gave it another try and this time I wasn't hating it...and than..."If It Be Your Will" came on and it just floored me! I wound up listening to the song another two or three dozen times that night, which led to me exploring the rest of the album and falling madly in love it. Anyway I ran out and bought every album on Leonards that I could find...and the rest is happy musical history!

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Fri Sep 03, 2004 1:53 pm

Recent history, but very very happy, indeed! 'Ancient' history, literarily speaking. It's always delightful hearing about those, much fewer, who came to Leonard's music through his writing

. Do you prefer [as I do] the 'compilations,' as they stand, on his original albums?

Welcome to the Forum, TheOriginalF

.

ForYourSmile · Post by **ForYourSmile** » Fri Sep 03, 2004 8:23 pm

A submissive intolerable prayer for an atheist like me. But that beauty, that serenity. I need this song!

TheOriginalF:

I wound up listening to the song another two or three dozen times that night...

TheOriginalF · Post by **TheOriginalF** » Fri Sep 03, 2004 10:43 pm

lizzytysh: Thanks for the warm welcome! I'm not sure which I prefer actually I guess it depends on the mood I'm in. When it comes to actually sitting down and absorbing the music I prefer his actual albums. I think it's a better representation of where he was coming from as an artist and allows you to take a bit of a journey. At the same time I really like his compilations (especially my own mix cds) for things like work or the car just for a little bit of that Cohen flavor! Both have their merits.

ForYourSmile: I couldn't have said it better myself. What an amazing piece of music!

jemima · Post by **jemima** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 6:39 pm

i first experienced leonards music through my dad, about 4 years ago. my mum had just left my dad for another man, which led to my dad moving away.i remember being a very lost 14 year old girl.when my dad visited, he was always playing this music in his car.i immediately fell in love with it, and "songs of love and hate" has become one of my most played and adored albums.i've since become an avid follower of leonards music( i need to read his poetry now)and my friends and family(except my dad) always look at me as if im some weirdo for listening to this music.i found solitude, refuge and a companion for my soul in cohens music. it has also brought me and my dad closer.thanks leonard, and to you all for letting me share this.
jemima

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 8:32 pm

Your personal story is very poignant, Jemima. Those are the kinds of testimonies that I know Leonard loves to hear. He knows what it's like to feel lost and alone, and to know he's brought comfort to someone else feeling that way, especially a young person, has to touch him even more deeply. It sounds as though it was destiny that while your father was 'taken' further from you, Leonard's music brought the two of you closer; and due to the nature of his music, in a very significant way.

Love,
Elizabeth

jemima · Post by **jemima** » Tue Sep 14, 2004 5:52 pm

hey lizzie.
thanks,your very right in saying that leonards music has played a significant parti n both my dad's and my life. my mum actually dosnt like leonards music,which is why it was only after they had spilt that my dad began playing it.my dads girlfiend is also a lover of leonards music,so im really enjoying the exploration of music in a place of freedom.
love jemima

Lily_Marlene · Post by **Lily_Marlene** » Wed Sep 15, 2004 12:32 am

Greetings my fellow Leonard Cohen fans!

It's been a very long time! I posted with some of you on the sony site a couple of years ago. Since Leonard Cohen is a habit I'm not willing to break, I've come back for more, with a vengeance!

Cohen fans living in my area are a very rare and dying breed. Trying to convert the non-believers into Cohen enthusiasts has been a very trying and challenging endeavor. I've been forced to walk away, books and Cds in hand, with my tail tucked firmly in its place.

I'm so very happy to be back among people who appreciate the genius of Leonard Cohen. We are kindred spirits!

I first discovered Leonard's music when I was seventeen years old. I was at a bar, drinking underage, watching the music station on the television. The video was closing time. I haven't recovered since!

So nice to see some familiar names still spreading the word!

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Wed Sep 15, 2004 3:55 am

Well, Lily Marlene, I suggest you go on over and wish Leonard a Happy Birthday

! Your timing for returning is impeccable

! Welcome back

!

~ Lizzytysh

Lily_Marlene · Post by **Lily_Marlene** » Wed Sep 15, 2004 6:01 am

Unforgettable Lizzytysh,

Thank you for the welcome!

I see you still have the vibrant personality that always made posting very interesting!

Sheryl

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Wed Sep 15, 2004 3:18 pm

Well, HI, Sheryl!!!

Thank you for the 'welcome' back

, and your wonderful compliments

! Will you be able to come to Hydra or Berlin?

I really enjoyed your greeting to Leonard

!

~ Lizzy

Lily_Marlene · Post by **Lily_Marlene** » Wed Sep 15, 2004 6:10 pm

Lizzytysh,

Thank you!

I'm not sure whether I'll be able to attend the Hydra gathering, but Berlin sounds very promising!

I'll look further into it.

Glad to see you're well!

Sheryl

AKA - Sony site - Cohen_fan

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Wed Sep 15, 2004 6:14 pm

I'm glad you're here now, Sheryl. This is the quintessential site on Leonard

!

Yes, two years for planning on Berlin makes it much more feasible. It'll be great if you can be there

!

~ Lizzy

lupus · Post by **lupus** » Fri Sep 17, 2004 8:56 pm

the first time i stumbled upon leonard was when i was a teenager playing roleplayinggames and in one game they quoted "and when we fell together all our flesh was like a veil..." and i thought it was the most powerful thing i've read, so i went to the local cdstore and listened to "last years man" and thought it was the most dreadful thing i've ever heard. he was so increddibly boring. (funny enough the same reaction as the first time i listened to the cure, nick cave and tom waits) and i dismissed him for being old, acoustic and boring. but as i grew up a friend played "take this waltz" and it's still the most beautiful thing i've ever heard. and then he followed it up with jeff buckleys version of hallelujah, and then i was lost. i think i bought five or six cohen records the following day.

John Etherington · Post by **John Etherington** » Sat Sep 18, 2004 10:41 pm

I first heard Leonard on "The Rock Machine Turns You On " compilation singing "Sisters of Mercy". It was 1969, and I was seventeen. I was mesmerised by the song and kept playing it ...unconsciously perhaps, I knew that this song had an integral part in my destiny. I had no idea what Leonard looked like then, though I knew that we were separated by seventeen years. I thought he must look something like "Danger Man" (the TV character) but don't ask me why. Soon after, I bought "Songs From a Room" at the time of its release. I then bought "Songs of Leonard Cohen" and have never looked back. Love and mercy, John E

When did you first hear of L. C. ?

I actually first discovered Mr. Cohen not through his music

If It Be Your Will

Where it all began