What year was this performance from? Was this version of Tenessee Waltz included on any of Leonard Cohen's live albums? If so, why is it on this album? If not, why not just save it for a future concert album?
I just think it was a really bad idea to put a 25 or 30 year old performance of a song, on an album with all new material. It just makes it seem like less of a "NEW!" album and more like a compilation or greatest hits album.
I just didn't like the idea of the inclusion of Tennessee Waltz on Dear Heather. Bad idea! Big no-no!
Dear Heather - Tennessee Waltz
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YankovicGretzky
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Dear Heather - Tennessee Waltz
They sentenced me to twenty years of boredom
Montreux Jazz Festival, July 9, 1985, Various Positions tour, source: FM recording.
Explanation is, I believe, pretty simple. Original title of Dear Heather was supposed to be Old Ideas, and it was conceived as quick record between Ten New Songs and the next one, record which is not bound to the song form (Sharon Robinson 2004 Interview). Leonard also didn't want to promote the record, and I lost his much later comment to some journalist (from 2006 I think) where he said that this was record of off-shots and old ideas, and that next record was supposed to be out very soon (but legal battles slowed him). Title was changed because it was suggested that people would think it's another compilation. I think that original title suited the record better - Leonard finished many old ideas which were left in his head, I'd say. Three songs were inherited from Ten New Songs direction, Because Of was something new for him, I think, chanting of poem from the book, then we have 1999 experimental & improvised recitation (Villanelle), spoken poetry piece (To A Teacher), then Undertow which is also musically something new for Leonard (and lyrics were taken from Closing Time manuscripts), then one beatnik-style improvisation (Morning Glory), then experiment (Dear Heather), then quick and short song about 9-11, then Nightingale, his very old unpublished lyrics (from 50s or 60s) set to folk tune, then The Faith, performed on 1979 tape (Recent Songs left-over)... and on the end, one of many live songs which were never released or recorded in studio. I think that Tennessee Waltz was chosed not only because there's available recording, but also because it's from 1985 tour - so, Anjani worked with Leonard for the first time - but also because it goes well with concept of "old ideas" album.
Of course, when I heard for the first time that there will be bonus liv etrack, I jumped "Do I Have To Dance All Night? Do I Have To Dance All Night! Finally!" ... But to have any of unreleased songs is OK with me.
Explanation is, I believe, pretty simple. Original title of Dear Heather was supposed to be Old Ideas, and it was conceived as quick record between Ten New Songs and the next one, record which is not bound to the song form (Sharon Robinson 2004 Interview). Leonard also didn't want to promote the record, and I lost his much later comment to some journalist (from 2006 I think) where he said that this was record of off-shots and old ideas, and that next record was supposed to be out very soon (but legal battles slowed him). Title was changed because it was suggested that people would think it's another compilation. I think that original title suited the record better - Leonard finished many old ideas which were left in his head, I'd say. Three songs were inherited from Ten New Songs direction, Because Of was something new for him, I think, chanting of poem from the book, then we have 1999 experimental & improvised recitation (Villanelle), spoken poetry piece (To A Teacher), then Undertow which is also musically something new for Leonard (and lyrics were taken from Closing Time manuscripts), then one beatnik-style improvisation (Morning Glory), then experiment (Dear Heather), then quick and short song about 9-11, then Nightingale, his very old unpublished lyrics (from 50s or 60s) set to folk tune, then The Faith, performed on 1979 tape (Recent Songs left-over)... and on the end, one of many live songs which were never released or recorded in studio. I think that Tennessee Waltz was chosed not only because there's available recording, but also because it's from 1985 tour - so, Anjani worked with Leonard for the first time - but also because it goes well with concept of "old ideas" album.
Of course, when I heard for the first time that there will be bonus liv etrack, I jumped "Do I Have To Dance All Night? Do I Have To Dance All Night! Finally!" ... But to have any of unreleased songs is OK with me.
Leonard Cohen Newswire / bookoflonging.com (retired) / leonardcohencroatia.com (retired)
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Tchocolatl
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Very complete answer.
I don't like Do I Have to Dance All Night, but Tenesse Waltz is perfect in any case, but even more in that case, at the end of this CD - and how I wish they have kept Old Ideas as the tittle - it looks like the silhouette of the lone some cow boy on his horse in the sunset of a blood red sun going down - really classic old western moviesque. I like it.
And also, Geez Whizz, with ALL the fans having pirate recordings of his live shows and liking it like kids like candies, it is a goodie-good idea to put one for dessert.
But all tastes are in the nature.
I don't like Do I Have to Dance All Night, but Tenesse Waltz is perfect in any case, but even more in that case, at the end of this CD - and how I wish they have kept Old Ideas as the tittle - it looks like the silhouette of the lone some cow boy on his horse in the sunset of a blood red sun going down - really classic old western moviesque. I like it.
And also, Geez Whizz, with ALL the fans having pirate recordings of his live shows and liking it like kids like candies, it is a goodie-good idea to put one for dessert.
But all tastes are in the nature.