Leonard Cohen has died

[digitS']

... today, at age 82.

K. D. Lang sang his song at the opening of the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver before a reported television audience of over 3 billion. Yes, that's billion with a "b" ...

Cohen received a Glenn Gould Award in 2011. Here he is sitting with my mom's cousin, Glenn (in bronze, Leonard in black). I suspect that this was photoshopped but imagine that it would be okay with both of them that someone would do that .

Steve

 

[PennyJo]

did he how awful what a loss

 

[Beekissed]

Love that song and it's been covered by most everybody. I didn't know he was that old! Talented man.

Normally love KD Lang's singing but didn't really care for her rendition of this song.

Some really pretty versions of this song out there...just a few...

This kid nailed it with a raw emotion in this version that appeals to me...anyone singing this song should be singing it as if from a broken and contrite spirit from beginning to end.

And this little 8 yr old girl did a simply beautiful rendition.

This priest changed the words but his voice!!!!! His voice and the acoustics in that church were astounding....and he doesn't even seem to be trying hard, but man what a voice and range!!!

But this guy....he sings it in a truly heart rending manner that seems to suit the song the best....scary teeth, but still sings it with heart.

My least favorite version? Leonard Cohen's version.

 

[Larisa]

So sorry! It was a legend!
His songs will live forever. Not to for compare, but for the blessed memory. His song of the Russian ..

 

[digitS']

Oh, I think we can compare, @Larisa .

I learned after that 2010 performance that the song had really made it around the world.

The Cohen song that had the most influence on me was his "Suzanne." Perhaps I began to realize that people could be quite eccentric in our modern world and still have real worth and be loved.

I looked back at those who recorded the song wondering if it was perhaps Neil Diamond (And yes, there was Judy Collins .) Looking at Billboard's top 100 for the fall of 1967 was quite a step back into the past for me! I felt that I knew every one of those 100 ...

Anyway, I had better hearing then. I actually think it was the song performed by Leonard Cohen himself. I wish I had better hearing but having good hearing isn't really necessary to appreciate his work .

Steve