About LC not singing, If It Be Your Will...

[john.m.lake]

I don't normally get involved in discussions like this, but this one has gone on for a while and begs to be clarified in order to give the Webb Sisters and Leonard their due as to this particular arrangement. Perhaps you will be touched, as I was, when I heard the reasoning behind this.

From a reliable source:

It is my understanding that 'If It Be Your Will' was originally rehearsed with Leonard singing it as normal, but the Webb Sisters' version was so good, and their harp/guitar playing so accomplished, the decision was made for Leonard to step back from the performance, literally as well as musically. The song is probably my favourite of Leonard's, so I was as surprised as anyone when I realised he was not singing it. Now that I have heard the Webb Sisters' performance, I understand.

Technically this makes the song a cover. Obviously Leonard is no stranger to covers. The difference here is that it is being performed with Leonard on the stage, stepping back and listening with the audience. Leonard said "They get me every time, emotionally, when I am standing there - because I'm seeing and hearing the next generation singing it". The delicious irony is that the song is about a voice silenced : now being performed by two talented young women on a world tour directly in front of the composer/writer. A tour, that some time ago, was deemed impossible.

It's that juxtoposition that creates the beauty of 2009's If It Be Your Will. He starts it, they finish it. He abides until he is spoken for, by the next generation, on his final tour. If Leonard sang it in its entirety, this small but perfect element would be lost.

Signing off from a broken hill,

G

Thanks Gingermop... That was touching : )

I would hope that he could go on singing forever - unfortunately that can never be. Unlike some here that have been blessed enough to attend numerous shows - some of us have only experienced these amazing songs on recordings.

I would rather hear LC sing it entirely - of course - but.. if I am lucky enough to attend a show before he stops - I will just be happy to hear it performed at all - It is probably the most beautiful song I have ever heard.

Enjoy your weekend! : )

[lizzytysh]

I'm so hoping that you do get to attend one of Leonard's concerts, John. You will be richly rewarded by the experience.

Gina, the explanation you gave from a reliable source continues to reverberate. It's also a gentle reminder of how self-absorbed we can sometimes become in our own wants and desires... not that we should be so apologetic about wanting to hear it sung by Leonard, but rather how we may be overlooking being happy with his touring, at all; as well as our not always being so willing to walk a mile in his shoes and, in this case, simply stand in them. Even as I write that much, the words you've shared echo and my eyes start burning with tears.

As far as I'm concerned, for me, the discussion is closed on this topic. If It Be Your Will has more facets than Leonard's speaking to G~d, and this explanation has reframed it in such a moving way.

So, as you do Your Will with your song, Leonard, I will appreciate and honour it through your eyes. Such a poignant choice you've made.


Love,
Lizzy

[Box_of_Rain]

I used to think, after Jerry Garcia is gone, someone else could take his place and The Dead would continue. Jerry can never be replaced.

It's not the same no matter how you spin it.

I have to think about this for a while. I really appreciate your words Gina, thanks for sharing what Mr. Cohen is thinking. It helps us to try to understand this decison.

[asta]

Gingermop - What a wonderful piece you wrote. This sums up my feelings and all the many who supported The Webb Sisters AND Leonard sharing If it be Your Will together on the same stage.

As wisely suggested - let's close the topic now and those lucky enough to see future concerts - or seeing the 'Leonard Live in London DVD or hearing The Webb Sisters new EP, can appreciate Leonard speaking the first two verses so serenely, and (as Leonard says) The Webb Sisters and Neil Larsen then delivering his song / prayer so sublimely.

[Eskimo]

I don't normally get involved in discussions like this.....from a reliable source..."They get me every time, emotionally, when I am standing there - because I'm seeing and hearing the next generation singing it"....

...Like you, I've hesitated about commenting on this one....what you quote and described brings to mind Cavafy's poem that inspired Alexandra Leaving:

The God Forsakes Antony

When suddenly, at midnight, you hear
an invisible procession going by
with exquisite music, voices,
don’t mourn your luck that’s failing now,
work gone wrong, your plans
all proving deceptive—don’t mourn them uselessly.
As one long prepared, and graced with courage,
say goodbye to her, the Alexandria that is leaving.
Above all, don’t fool yourself, don’t say
it was a dream, your ears deceived you:
don’t degrade yourself with empty hopes like these.
As one long prepared, and graced with courage,
as is right for you who were given this kind of city,
go firmly to the window
and listen with deep emotion, but not
with the whining, the pleas of a coward;
listen—your final delectation—to the voices,
to the exquisite music of that strange procession,
and say goodbye to her, to the Alexandria you are losing.

[john.m.lake]

I'm so hoping that you do get to attend one of Leonard's concerts, John. You will be richly rewarded by the experience.

Gina, the explanation you gave from a reliable source continues to reverberate. It's also a gentle reminder of how self-absorbed we can sometimes become in our own wants and desires... not that we should be so apologetic about wanting to hear it sung by Leonard, but rather how we may be overlooking being happy with his touring, at all; as well as our not always being so willing to walk a mile in his shoes and, in this case, simply stand in them. Even as I write that much, the words you've shared echo and my eyes start burning with tears.

As far as I'm concerned, for me, the discussion is closed on this topic. If It Be Your Will has more facets than Leonard's speaking to G~d, and this explanation has reframed it in such a moving way.

So, as you do Your Will with your song, Leonard, I will appreciate and honour it through your eyes. Such a poignant choice you've made.


Love,
Lizzy

Tanks Lizzy! Me too : )

[john.m.lake]

I used to think, after Jerry Garcia is gone, someone else could take his place and The Dead would continue. Jerry can never be replaced.

It's not the same no matter how you spin it.

I have to think about this for a while. I really appreciate your words Gina, thanks for sharing what Mr. Cohen is thinking. It helps us to try to understand this decison.

Hey Denise. Agree - of course. Maybe you will get lucky with your show... : )

- I'll be listening to LC sing it tonight... :

[Box_of_Rain]

Oh Eskimo! You have me in complete tears. Thank you.

[gingermop]

It's not the same no matter how you spin it.

I have to think about this for a while. I really appreciate your words Gina, thanks for sharing what Mr. Cohen is thinking. It helps us to try to understand this decison.

Hello Box of Rain,

I can understand your feelings, but I think this works because not many people (casual listeners as opposed to fans) regard If it be your Will as one of Leonard's seminal pieces of work. Of course if he had someone else singing Suzanne or the like, there would be an uproar. It's the nature of the song itself that lends it to the current situation on how it's performed. It's his to do what he sees fit.

G