When did you first hear of L. C. ?

raws · Post by **raws** » Fri Oct 22, 2004 5:18 am

I think the first time a heard LC's name was in 1993, when he was cited by Kurt Cobain as a major influence.

"give me a leonard cohen afterworld,
where I can sigh eternally"
-Pennyroyal Tea

so I got the "Best Of" CD in a trade and it changed me at my core.

"Bird on the Wire" is probably my favorite song of all time. I'd put those lines on my tombstone but Kris Kristofferson beat me to the rights. I think Willie Nelson's verson is impeccable, Johnny Cash's very excellent. Does anyone have some good versions to recommend?

It is lonely being a LC fan, but that is the nature of the beast, no? I hope that he tours to support his new record. I will drive a crooked (several hundred) miles to be there.

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Fri Oct 22, 2004 4:04 pm

Welcome, raws

......don't fill up your car with gas, however. No touring is on Leonard's horizon

. I don't think there's such a thing as tombstone rights, is there? What with all the laws out there, copyright and all, who knows!?! Just go for it ~ you won't have to worry about being sued.

jerry · Post by **jerry** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 5:22 am

The first LC song I heard was back in the very early 1970's.It was One Of Us Cannot Be Wrong. It was very late at night and I was in bed trying to fall asleep. I was stunned when I heard it.The next day I bought Songs Of Leonard Cohen and I have been listening to him ever since.

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 5:37 am

Ooooooo......great setting and ambience for a first hearing of that magnificent song.

echoes · Post by **echoes** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 5:48 pm

Hi!

I am no "long-time fan" (I hope this is the right expression!) of Leonard Cohen and know him just about three or four years. I’m a fan of the band “The Sisters of Mercy” and collect LPs (I put them on my wall instead of posters

). I think I was just interested in the song that gave “The Sisters” their name. And I wanted to hear the original version of “Teachers” which is covered by “The Sisters” – I’ve always loved that lyrics!
I found the LP “The Songs of Leonard Cohen” at a flea market and bought it. I listened to it once, I liked “Sisters of Mercy” and still loved the lyrics to “Teachers” but I put the LP away very fast.
Some months later I was in some mood, wanted to listen to that record again, wanted to drink a glass of red wine and light up a candle (I call that my LP-evenings

). So I listened to “The Songs of Leonard Cohen” that second time and loved it loved it loved it… and still love it still love it…

Manuel

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 10:15 pm

Some months later I was in some mood, wanted to listen to that record again, wanted to drink a glass of red wine and light up a candle (I call that my LP-evenings ). So I listened to “The Songs of Leonard Cohen” that second time and loved it loved it loved it… and still love it still love it…

Perfect, Manuel

.

~ Lizzy

linda_lakeside · Post by **linda_lakeside** » Mon Oct 25, 2004 1:18 pm

The first time I heard Leonard was when my room-mate bought his first LP. For the younger folks that's Long Playing record. I was mildly impressed but still more into Rock&Roll. I bought Songs from a Room and haven't looked back. The only negative I can think of, is that "Suzanne" got sooo much air-play I can't listen to it even now. That is the exception. There are many, many old songs of his that I can go back and enjoy as though it were the first time.

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Mon Oct 25, 2004 6:14 pm

Boy, Linda ~ Amazing what being across the border can bring. I wish I could complain about any of Leonard's songs getting too much airplay.

linda_lakeside · Post by **linda_lakeside** » Mon Oct 25, 2004 7:42 pm

Well, I do have to admit that Leonard's music is not known for being overly played. However, back then it was covered by Judy Collins I believe (whom I don't really care for) and then, of course, Suzanne was about the only song from that LP that got played at all. At the time there was a rule in effect that 40% of the music played on radio had to have Canadian content which (back in the 60's and early 70's) was very difficult to do as Canada was not known for great music. Happily things have changed and we have a lot of very talented people and the radio stations are no longer obliged to play Anne Murray or lesser known people in the middle of the night or playing the better stuff over and over and over again. Unfortunately, Leonard still does not get the play that he should. I think it's because the stations have a hard time finding the right "pidgeon-hole" for him. Ten New Songs didn't fare all that well either as far as airplay is concerned. Hopefully, Dear Heather will open the eyes (or ears) of a new generation.

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Mon Oct 25, 2004 7:56 pm

From the sounds of it, Dear Heather may be for the intellectual set.

linda_lakeside · Post by **linda_lakeside** » Mon Oct 25, 2004 8:28 pm

I don't listen to commercial radio all that much but I do get the impression that what is on radio is not the kind of thing that Leonard is all about. Yet every generation does have a number that explore the outer reaches of what we call 'pop' music. So, hopefully Dear Heather will find its way into the homes of the younger music loving individuals that have an intellect.

But one thing is for sure - if any of the 'new generation' likes what they hear on Dear Heather they will go back and have a listen to his older material and become hopelessly hooked - as I am.

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Mon Oct 25, 2004 8:38 pm

I agree, Linda.

misha · Post by **misha** » Wed Oct 27, 2004 4:26 pm

I was 15 and babysitting at my sister and brother inlaws. HE said listen to this - Leonards Greatest Hits and he made me promise I would listen a few times, so I did. It was fantastic and I became hooked and now I am 32 and listening as I type to Dear Heather and I just love the album , him and his voice. No one understands how I feel happy when I listen to him but I do. I could cry when I listen with happiness.

My husband loves him too and Ten NEw SOngs is the album we use as Our Tune - as it reminds us of how we met.

davideo · Post by **davideo** » Sat Oct 30, 2004 11:06 pm

I first heard of Leonard Cohen in an English class, and didn't pay much attention. I remember Debbie and some of her friends were kinda ga-ga about him, though. Then, after graduating from high school, [1969] I went to Colorado (from Ottawa) to see my recently-moved girl friend, just to find that I'd been, well, replaced. Upon returning home (in the V.W.) I stopped at her cousin's cottage and lay in the sun at the back, by the water. Someone put on Songs of Leonard Cohen, and my busted heart had a bandage, which later turned out to be a corset. I indulged myself endlessly in the exquisite melancholy of it all, lived in the words and wafts of sound. "Marianne" and "Suzanne" became symbols of my lost love and devastation. The reference to Jesus in Suzanne stunned me. I became a Cohen addict such that by the time I was in University my head had become a record player with only two albums on it, both of them Mr. Cohen's. 'Bizarre-ly', in between these two events, I actually met Leonard, who purchased a little picture I'd painted of his face. [I mention this in my 'signature remark]. I was elated, spinney, proud and particularly awe-struck.

Linus had a blanket. I had Leonard. Oh, my...

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Sun Oct 31, 2004 12:34 am

This information surrounding your actually meeting Leonard makes the meeting all the greater, Davideo. How did Leonard come to know of your painting hanging in the gallery?

"Someone put on Songs of Leonard Cohen, and my busted heart had a bandage, which later turned out to be a corset. I indulged myself endlessly in the exquisite melancholy of it all, lived in the words and wafts of sound. 'Marianne' and 'Suzanne' became symbols of my lost love and devastation."

With this, I relate so well, Davideo. Even though my former husband introduced me to Leonard's music, it wasn't long after that we became formers. It's so like G~d's perfect timing, having what you need most come into your life when you most need it. Since then, I've made it through both joyful and sorrowful times with Leonard's music in my mind and heart, and on my sound systems. "So Long, Marianne" and "Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye" offered the hope I needed, and sustained me through grieving times involving loss, including death.

When did you first hear of L. C. ?

initial Leonard encounter