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Just heard and saw a wonderful concert from the seventies from german television. Anyone know if the sublime Raffi Hakopian has released any albums, and if so is it possible to buy them anywhere?

Hey Peter
I think he did nothing! cdnow.com says he played on Recent Songs, Field Commander Cohen and More Best Of, that's all:-(
T.

I too love the violin of Raffi Hakopian and would like to get a album of his if there was one.

And he played violin on Take This Waltz on I'm Your Man, also. I just checked on cd.now. All references for Raffi on web goes to Jarkko's site.

It sounds as though Raffi comes out of the olde world, where he plays [obviously frequently, per his expertise] for the love of playing, not for recording, and widespread listening, of his exquisite musicianship. At least we have him extending his love to and for Leonard. Thank you, Raffi.

The first time I heard him play on The Gypsy's Wife I cried. The combination of that soulful violin and LC's voice just made me fill up
Don't you just love a good cry.

No. Not at all. But what a great song The Gypsy's Wife is. Vivid violin. Which is certainly for something in the emotional reception. I'm very glad to know that Raffi Hakopian is responsible for this, because there is no mention of his name on my CD Recent Songs.

Peter,

Raffi Hakopian did Gypsy Fever With Eva

Jesus, Gaia, I can't believe!
I cannot speak German, but I will try understand all I can... although I'm not Peter but Tom:-)

I admit I came from an average admirier/fan of LC to a totally FULL FAN ...only at the time of recent songs and because the mood of the gypsy music most esp Raffi stirred me to my own gypsy bones.
I fell In love with their sound together and still 30 years alter can stop dead in my tracks while listening to raffis solo from the window and cry on the street. exquistite.

I heard that he passed away many years ago at a too young age . It is so good to hear other who honor him and were touched by him beautiful playing.

muchlove

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiqPbcYDZbA

Here's hoping this link works (I'm not very good at links....)

Violins have the most haunting sound. I grew up hating them since my dad, sister and brother all played them (screechingly, in the latter two's cases) but I have since learned to love their keening yet beautiful sadness. The Gypsy's Wife is the epitome of all that I love about them.

Carole

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uG_SkLWrmoQ ("I'm very surprised that this song has gained any kind of popularity, because it's a kind of a difficult song......I think most of its popularity is due to the fact that Raffi Hakopian plays on it....")

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIRQYEj-NSs

Even better links, these, since they're of LC in Germany in 1979, with RH in full flow (posted by a kaarekjohnsen - these and 4 others).

Enjoy!

Caz, thank you so much for those links; I love the FCC Tour of 1979 album, and I've been longing for a visual because, although I saw Leonard live in 1970 & 1993, and of course on the present tour, I missed the '79 tour because I was living in an Ashram at the time. It's really great to have the visual of Leonard with Raffi, Jennifer Warnes, Sharon, the flute player, etc. Thank you again - those links are true gems. . .

I have for the last two weeks been going to ask those who know of the whereabouts of Raffi Hakopian. Is it true he has passed on? No wonder I can't find any more or his hauntingly beautitful violin music anywhere I have all of his music associated with Leonard - is that all there is There is a lone compliation on you tube. It's the only solo one I know. I'd be pleased to hear there is more.

On YouTube - upped by "Mashtotz" on 10/6/08

Enchanting Music of Raffi Hakopian
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiqPbcYDZbA

And Leonard mentions him here - in the Song of Cohen video w/Irving Layton (3:15)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUszJI_6WPA

And I think this is him but called Raffi Hagopian -

Armenian Violin Music
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFt9KPBt4po

And could this be an album by him:
Enchanting Violin Music (there are a few clips to listen to)
Raffi Hagopian
Parseghian Records
Released: 1996
https://www.armenianmusic.com/itemdetai ... gories_id=

And another -
https://www.hollywoodmusiccenter.com/br ... ntry=Gypsy
Gypsy Fever
Raffi Hagopian
Instrumental violin and ensemble performing Gypsy (Tzigane) melodies from Romania, Hungaria, Russia and more...

Hi Sturgess66,

Thanks for the links - I've seen the first two before but not the others. Couldnt get through to the second last one - will try later. I appreciate your help. I love the first one and obviously all his music with Leonard.