relation Cohen-chansonniers, does Cohen know Barbara's work

Antonio · Post by **Antonio** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 1:01 am

Hello everybody!!!

I would like to know if Leonard Cohen knows the work of the french singer Barbara, one of the best female singer-composers of the last century. I have read that he knows the work of Jacques Brel and Edith Piaf, and I would like to know if he has entered Barbara's univere, much more deeper than her french partners. Thank you very much indeed

Love to Leonard and to you all!

Antonio

Antonio · Post by **Antonio** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 8:14 pm

I'd really like if anybody has an answer,

thanks very much indeed!

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 8:53 pm

I'd like to help, Antonio ~ but the only female singer with the name of Barbara, who I know goes by her first name only, isn't French and tends to spell it Barbra. I've never heard of your French Barbara, but hope someone can help out. It's interesting to know who Leonard's influences have been, especially now that he's such a strong one for so many people.

~ Lizzy

Patyou · Post by **Patyou** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 10:18 pm

The french singer Barbara had a hit called "L'Aigle Noir" here in France in the 70's. She never compromised with the "showbiz" and used to communicate with her audience like in a mystic or religious event. She was finally singing her songs in choir WITH all the public who knew all the words. I hope you will understand what I mean... She died a few years ago.

Happy new year

My decision for the next year : stopping to apologize for my poor english.
The ones who know me admit that I speak a really good french. So that's enough for the moment.

Pat you

ForYourSmile · Post by **ForYourSmile** » Fri Dec 30, 2005 1:35 am

Well, excuse me, I have not found any relation between Cohen and Barbara. In my opinion it is possible

; I believe that Cohen has a good knowledge of the French music, also of the Spanish one.

The influence of Barbara in La Nova Cançó (Catalan musical movement) has been very important. The Catalan cover of L'Aigle Noir (L'Àguila Negra) was a great hit in Maria del Mar Bonet's voice.

Antonio ~ welcome to the forum!

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Fri Dec 30, 2005 3:59 am

So, is the stunning woman with the magnetizing eyes Barbara or Maria del Mar Bonet? I'm suspecting Barbara from what's been said, but would still like to know for sure.

~ Lizzy

Patyou · Post by **Patyou** » Fri Dec 30, 2005 2:22 pm

It is Barbara

Patyou

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Fri Dec 30, 2005 5:11 pm

Thanks.

Her eyes strike me similarly to Leonard's in the photo from the cover of Field Commander Cohen. Compelling and deep.
Clearly her own person.

~ Lizzy

Antonio · Post by **Antonio** » Fri Dec 30, 2005 8:34 pm

Thanks Foryoursmile and Patyou for your comments. The woman in the picture is Barbara for sure. I'd like to add another picture, but I don't know how to make it.
Barbara had a deep impact in her audiences: she offerred herself almost like in a sacrifice of intimacy; she was very powerful but also delicate. Songs like "Nantes", "A mourir pour mourir", "Le sommeil", "Le mal de vivre",etc are ranged beetween the best achivements in french music.
Since I was a teenager, the two figures that always, in the bad moments, had helped me, were Cohen and Barbara. I find in both of them the same strength, the same way of turn the poisons into remedies, in some sort of alchemy of emotions. They have the feeling of compassion and that makes me feel shaked. For that reason I have asked if Cohen knew her work. A great Barbara page (in french only!): http://www.passion-barbara.net
Kisses

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Fri Dec 30, 2005 8:41 pm

she offerred herself almost like in a sacrifice of intimacy

Such a great description, Antonio

. It immediately made me think of Leonard, and so I was gratified to see your additional comments:

. . . she was very powerful but also delicate . . . the two figures that always, in the bad moments, had helped me, were Cohen and Barbara. I find in both of them the same strength, the same way of turn the poisons into remedies, in some sort of alchemy of emotions. They have the feeling of compassion . . .

I guess rather than "delicate," I would say "gentle," regarding Leonard, yet still 'delicate' in certain ways, at certain times... "Light as the Breeze" comes immediately to mind.

I look forward to looking at the link you've provided.

Welcome to the Forum, Antonio

.

~ Lizzy

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Fri Dec 30, 2005 9:26 pm

No luck, so far, on finding Live clips/videos of her performing

. Love the cover of the Gauguin 1990 DVD, however, with just part of her foot emerging/showing from behind the wall/door....and the one of her sitting on some steps, in white pants and black coat. Would love to see/hear her sing.

Antonio · Post by **Antonio** » Sat Dec 31, 2005 1:17 am

Lizzytysh:

all dvds from barbara and her albums are sold in http://www.amazon.fr, at a more or less nice price.
"Châtelet 87" is a concert of mature, but you can also find "Pantin" and the pack "Barbara une longue dame brune", that contains footage and interviews of all her carieer. Neverthless, I highly recommend "Châtelet 87": there she is in the top of her art, and the best part of her work is by far the concerts, with her astonishing scenic presence. I think you will like it. Truly, one of the most passionate interpretations I've ever seen; I have no words to describe the song "Le mal de vivre" in this dvd.
See you,
Antonio

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Sat Dec 31, 2005 2:47 am

Thanks for the specific recommendation, Antonio. It sounds like it won't make any difference at all whether or not I understand a word of French. Presence has no language.

~ Lizzy

Antonio · Post by **Antonio** » Sat Dec 31, 2005 10:08 pm

Lizzytysh:

you're absolutely right. When I first saw Barbara, I did'nt know a word of french, but I was delighted by the power of the songs and the interpretatión, and her voice speaks for herself, you'll see

Nice new year for everybody, for our beloved Cohen too (sometimes I wonder if he reads these posts)

lightning · Post by **lightning** » Tue Jan 03, 2006 5:06 pm

As an English speaking American who's into French chanson, who has several Barbara LPs and a cassette, I'd say I found her less interesting, less musical, and harder to understand than her contemporaries, Brel and Brassens. She has the air of a diva , like Callas, and is surely beautiful enough. As an actress in Brel's self-produced movie, Franz, she was great--she played Leonie , the female lead, with swan-like grace and dignity. My favorite song of hers is "Le Bel Age" about an affair with a younger man. She doesn't seem to have that much to say , like Dietrich whose autobiography was a bore and by no means lived up to her looks and charisma. Ocasionally her piano is more interesting than her warbly voice. I know she cast a spell on France in her time, but I haven't been able to understand why. One French woman I knew thought she was just a fashion trend, maybe like our Madonna. Maybe this is why her work has not really spread to America.