Leonard Cohen

Leonard Cohen turned 76 last week, so I decided to do a homage to the man who is, to me, the most talented songwriter within living memory.

He doesn't resonate with some people because they find his songs and voice depressing. I would argue that he's meloncollie rather than morbid - his lyrics full of a spiritual romance towards pain. He finds beauty in the dichotomy of life, and for me his music is sad, but hopeful.

I recently watched a documentary about him called "I'm Your Man", which had an interesting feature: several eminent musicians (including.... Bono...) do covers of his songs.

Anthony from Anthony and the Johnsons does a masterful version of "If it be Your Will" (one of my personal favourites). If you're not a Lenny fan, it's worth listening to it, and to Jeff Buckley's version of "Hallelujah", to ascertain whether it's Cohen's music or voice that doesn't agree with you.

And for something a little different, musician / DJ / friend Dance Pig did this awesome remix of "Here it is". (Check out more of Dance Pig's stuff at www.dancepig.com)


Here are the Lenny originals, and a few more favourites:

"If it be Your Will" (1984)
"Hallelujah" (1984)
"Master Song" (1967)
"Who by Fire" (1974)
"A Thousand Kisses Deep" (2001)
"Alexandra Leaving" (2001)
"In My Secret Life" (2001)
"In the Chelsea Hotel" (1974)
"Here it is" (2001)


It's probably clear by now that I'm a fan ;)






 

Being a dickhead really is cool!

One of the best made clips I've ever seen on youtube. South Park-style humour, with gloss, it takes the piss out of a subcultural / fashion movement that probably many of us have coasted.

Being a dickhead's cool!

The creator should make one about overly-earnest film makers, ranting about wanting to make a difference in the world. We're not slagged off half enough ;)

Watch some classic films!

http://worldfilm.about.com/od/downloadtheclassics/Download_the_Classics.htm

Life is a tightrope

The Flying Wallendas are a world-famous tight rope walking family. One of their unique features is that they train and perform without the use of a safety net.

When asked about their success, the mother responded that because they don't use a safety net, every step is life or death. This is the greatest motivation one can have to do their best.

Perhaps in life, when things are too easy, we don't strive for our full potential. Instead of being limited by fears of failure, maybe we could be motivated by the desire to live.



Thanks to my good friend Elizabeth Gaffney for sharing this story with me. Check out her London shopping site here: http://www.shophoppingmap.com/