leonardcohenforum.com

Today's L.A. Times review of Bruce Springsteen's April 15 concert contains a nice comparison with the two recent local Cohen concerts:

"Perhaps the biggest surprise about the characteristically invigorating performance is that on returning to L.A., the site of so many high-watermark Springsteen performances, America's quintessential classic rocker had to compete for the title of king of the emotional marathon concert with a 74-year-old Canadian poet. During soul-stirring three-and-a-half hour tour de force shows at the nearby Nokia Theatre less than a week before, Leonard Cohen had used his mastery of language and spiritual understanding to zero in on humanity's eternal struggles."

That's tremendous . Thank you so much for posting it, Yentek .


~ Lizzy

Given a choice, I'd take a Leonard Cohen concert over Bruce eight days a week.

yeah never been too much of a bruce fan... so cohen for me.

How about Cohen VS Dylan? Or Cohen VS Nick Drake?

I prefer Cohen over Dylan personally, but i'm not really sure about the second one... Both Nick And Leonard are so amazing.

A year ago, anticipating potential problems from the simultaneous Springsteen-Cohen tours, I posted a set of guidelines: How To Determine If You Are At A Bruce Springsteen Or A Leonard Cohen Concert
http://1heckofaguy.com/2008/04/16/cohen ... -be-there/

The humour and the irony of this made me laugh ~ a lot. Very well done, DrHGuy. Then, I saw the photos of and taken by Dick. I was about to return here and your title about how a love story began caught my eye and interest and I began reading. I've just finished Julie's Story, including the Vows. I laughed during parts of [your and] her story, too.

After she said the three things to you at the door, I went and made myself some hot chocolate and returned for the rest. It felt like the appropriate drink. Despite the laughter, however, my mood has considerably changed from where I began when I went to your site. Reading a detailed account, written by a man who has deeply and truly loved, and been loved the very same, has dropped me off far from where I started.

[I would apologize for hijacking this thread to speak of you; but having read Julie's Story, filled with love, humour, and gravitas, I can't. I wanted to copy my comments here to there, but I can't find how. I've commented on your blog before, but I'm wondering if comments may have been stopped for this segment?]

I guess I ought to get back to Bruce Springsteen and Leonard Cohen. I love Bruce, but the love I feel for Leonard, well... there's no comparison. I'm glad that reading your comparisons and how to tell them apart made me laugh as it did, and that they brought me to where I unexpectedly read Julie's Story.

Thanks for everything, DrHGuy. So many unexpected insights into the worlds you've occupied. Beautiful and disarming. I'm sorry for your deep loss and happy for your glorious 20 years together. Even though it's a decade gone, in many ways, it has to still feel like yesterday. Few of us experience a friendship and love and relationship so rare and true. You're right. You're 1 heck of a guy. In the most affectionate possible way, so was Julie... or for consistency, Julie was 1 heck of a woman. Thank you for sharing your relationship with us.


~ Lizzy

come folks...they are both great. very different performers, delivering very different music. no one should pass up an opportunity to see either of these performers.

I will be seeing Leonard Cohen for the first time in Philly on May 12. In terms of his songwriting I consider Leonard Cohen far superior to Springsteen. That being said, I am hoping to see Springsteen in Philly on April 28 & 29 and I have tickets to see him in DC on May 18. Since 1974 I have seen Bruce about 90 times in concert. Most of Bruce's concerts have been tremendous, and I usually leave feeling that I saw one of the greatest performers ever.
In term of comparing Leonard and Bruce, I feel it is not a worthwhile venture. Why should we compare everything in life? I was just in Negril, Jamaica for three weeks and there was an amazing sunset almost every night. If I tried to compare sunsets I feel that I would have missed out on the unique beauty that each one had to offer. Let's be fully present to every great performance that we see (be it Leonard, Bruce,or anyone else) and enjoy the moment as unique and transformational.

In term of comparing Leonard and Bruce, I feel it is not a worthwhile venture. Why should we compare everything in life? I was just in Negril, Jamaica for three weeks and there was an amazing sunset almost every night. If I tried to compare sunsets I feel that I would have missed out on the unique beauty that each one had to offer. Let's be fully present to every great performance that we see (be it Leonard, Bruce,or anyone else) and enjoy the moment as unique and transformational.

Oh, I love every one of those sentiments, Negril. Beautifully true and well said. Excellent analogy.

It was euphoric for me watching Bruce perform at the Jazzfest in New Orleans a couple years ago, the first one after Katrina.

Welcome to the Forum .


~ Lizzy

negrilmark wrote: In term of comparing Leonard and Bruce, I feel it is not a worthwhile venture. Why should we compare everything in life?

OK, then, consider this hypothetical: Leonard and Bruce are playing in your area at the same time. What concert are you going to go to? The choice is easy for me, not being much of a Bruce fan.

However, if Leonard and Aimee Mann are playing at the same time, I don't know what I'd do.

I'm a HUGE Springsteen fan; however, I would opt for seeing Leonard... and, hopefully, see Bruce at another venue later. I'd have no choice... follow my heart.


~ Lizzy

Love Springsteen - no question - I would see LC .]

Best regards,
Mary

As contrasting as these are, the only time I'd face a conflict would be if it was between one of Leonard's concerts and a Led Zeppelin reunion concert!

But...Leonard has touched my soul and would win out every time!

Diana

ps..oops, this was between Bruce and Leonard. Bruce is awesome but once again, Leonard would win out!

I've seen Bruce live and in two weeks I'll see Lenny dance like white man!

I eat apples and oranges daily and never ask myself which is better. They both nourish me and make me a happier person.

Interesting discussion. My wife always tells me I'm too damn opinionated and stuck in my ways, which is probably true, so here goes. Springsteen - meh Zeppelin - meh Mann - meh Drake - meh Leonard Cohen - Drum Roll please : The Glory of God shines through, the sun comes out, for a few brief moments we are allowed to experience true perfection. IMHO, the only modern musicians who even (but not quite) come close to LC's level of genius are Dylan and Lennon, and with respect to the most underrated rock bands of our time, The Moody Blues and Its A Beautiful Day.