leonardcohenforum.com

Is the "Dear Heather" version really from 1985? It sounds much more recent.

Thanks

1985. But they could have added some recent overdubs to it to beef up the sound of it.

There are no overdubs but the track has been
digitally remastered from an old tape.

Where and when the track was recorded?

I think I traced it to 1985 Montreux Jazz Festival. (Leonard says "all right" and there's Anjani's piano ornamentation later in the song)
tom

jerry wrote:1985. But they could have added some recent overdubs to it to beef up the sound of it.

I'm sorry, but is it appropriate to use such avatar as Jerry?

My vote also goes to Montreux. Two years ago I sent three
different audience CDRs to Leonard's office (on their request),
all taped during the Various Positions tour (in three locations, not by
myself but other Cohenites).
I don't know if any of these were actually used, or did they finally find
a better recording from the archives. Digital remastering and editing can
make miracles - Field Commander Cohen is another proof of that!

--- I agree with Anth that Leonard's photos should not be used as avatars

I vote for Montreux too. But I'm not sure they picked the best sounding version...

I agree. I even think the version on radio recording (I guess the same Jarkko sent) is even better. It sounds softer, this on DH was pumped, something very strange, like they pumped the volume on Leonard's voice during remastering from the same CDR we have.

Also, I found it very sad that Columbia doesn't have 1985 masters in archives! Are they totally crazy??? And then Leonard must take radio shows from his fans.

I wanted to ask why it is included on the album. I love the song, but it doesn't seem to have it's place there really.

My guesses for its inclusion are that:

(1) It's a waltz. Leonard loves waltzes. We love waltzes done by Leonard.

(2) It's a longtime favourite of Leonard's. He's performed it through the years, and may have even performed it with The Buckskin Boys.

(3) It's a song that Leonard has adapted through writing a verse for it himself.

(4) The song relates to love and loss ~ two prominent themes with Leonard.

(5) The song is consistent with others on the album, as a look into the [and his] past.

(6) The song ends the album with a 'lift' in sound ~ one that actually inspires me to want to return to the beginning .

What Leonard's reasons are may be totally different from the ones I've conjectured .

~ Lizzy

All great reasons. It still doesn't seem to fit for me though. But I do love the song and singing along to it.

1985? Leonard's music doesn't seem to age. He is magical.