"I would like to say 'This book is written to the glory of God', but nowadays this would be the trick of a cheat, i.e., it would not be correctly understood."--Ludwig Wittgenstein
"OH JESUS OH WHAT THE FUCK OH WHAT IS THIS H.P. LOVECRAFT SHIT OH THERE IS NO GOD I DID NOT SIGN UP FOR THIS—Popehat
Friday, November 11, 2016
Leonard Cohen R.I.P.
I know everybody and his dog loves "Hallelujah." But "Suzanne" is still my favorite Leonard Cohen song (because your first love is your strongest).
I can honestly say I liked his poetry too, his two novels, The Favorite Game and Beautiful Losers, I remember being impressed with them, certain poetic passages but the overall effect didn't last for me. It did lead me to read other Canadian authors I probably wouldn't have if I hadn't read those.
He knew how to write a song, didn't he.
Geesh, I barely remember the world before I knew of him. I guess this is what it's like to get old.
Leonard Cohen and I were almost exact contemporaries, born in the same year, the same month, only three days apart. As we grew old together, the resonance of Leonard's songs grew ever greater and deeper over the years. I love his poetry, songs, and voice, even when he sings in his gravelly old man's voice, speaking more than singing the lyrics. My favorites now are from one of Cohen's later albums, "Old Ideas" - "Come Healing", "Amen", and "Going Home".
I received the final album, "You Want It Darker", a few days before Cohen died, and I'm still digesting it.
It's been a sad year for losing musicians. It's been a sad year, altogether, and listening to Cohen's songs has been a comfort. He was a spiritual wanderer; he explored his own heritage, Judaism, Zen, and I think he admired our Jesus. He knew the bible, certainly the Hebrew Testament, and seemingly the Gospels.
I can honestly say I liked his poetry too, his two novels, The Favorite Game and Beautiful Losers, I remember being impressed with them, certain poetic passages but the overall effect didn't last for me. It did lead me to read other Canadian authors I probably wouldn't have if I hadn't read those.
ReplyDeleteHe knew how to write a song, didn't he.
Geesh, I barely remember the world before I knew of him. I guess this is what it's like to get old.
Leonard Cohen and I were almost exact contemporaries, born in the same year, the same month, only three days apart. As we grew old together, the resonance of Leonard's songs grew ever greater and deeper over the years. I love his poetry, songs, and voice, even when he sings in his gravelly old man's voice, speaking more than singing the lyrics. My favorites now are from one of Cohen's later albums, "Old Ideas" - "Come Healing", "Amen", and "Going Home".
ReplyDeleteI received the final album, "You Want It Darker", a few days before Cohen died, and I'm still digesting it.
And now it's Leon Russell. if the next person is Judy Collins (before year's end), I'm not sure I can take the strain.
ReplyDeleteAdding: listening to Cohen's last album now, June; first blush, but it seems profoundly Xian to me. Which isn't surprising, but very interesting.
ReplyDeleteIt's been a sad year for losing musicians. It's been a sad year, altogether, and listening to Cohen's songs has been a comfort. He was a spiritual wanderer; he explored his own heritage, Judaism, Zen, and I think he admired our Jesus. He knew the bible, certainly the Hebrew Testament, and seemingly the Gospels.
ReplyDeleteHe makes the reflect on Merton, who was profoundly stirred by Buddhism, while never rejected his Christianity to be so.
ReplyDelete