Which is your favorite Leonard Cohen period?

General discussion about Leonard Cohen's songs and albums

Which is your favorite Leonard Cohen period?

The 1950s
2
2%
The 1960s
17
19%
The 1970s
27
30%
The 1980s
18
20%
The 1990s
9
10%
The 2000s
18
20%
 
Total votes: 91
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Quasand
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Re: Which is your favorite Leonard Cohen period?

Post by Quasand »

Who has not voted yet?
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Stamatina
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Re: Which is your favorite Leonard Cohen period?

Post by Stamatina »

The 1970s from me ('twas hard to decide between that and the 1960s).
"Oh chosen love, Oh frozen love
Oh tangle of matter and ghost
Oh darling of angels, demons and saints
And the whole broken-hearted host
Gentle this soul..."
seadove
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Re: Which is your favorite Leonard Cohen period?

Post by seadove »

On the whole I think that there are only two musical periods in the life and work of Leonard Cohen. One is the pre 1980's and the other is the post 1980's. In the first period as I have mentioned you have the high tone Cohen and with the 2nd, post 1980's you have the deep, trubadour voice.

I like both of them equally.
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Inna
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Re: Which is your favorite Leonard Cohen period?

Post by Inna »

It was a very difficult decision to make, but I voted for the 80s. To my mind, with the change of his voice in the 80s, also came a change in his music, in his lyrics. The album "Various Positions" demonstrates that very well. Songs like "Hallelujah" and "If It Be Your Will" came then. In one of the interviews, Leonard said that these two are probably his best. I think it was in 2005. And of course, The Book of Mercy.
So, for me, the 80s is a turning point, the lyrics are of a different nature, religion plays a key role, Deity and Judaism play a greater role. In addition, the music and the arrangements are different, more powerful, in my opinion.
"climb on your tears and be silent, like the rose on its ladder of thorn."
Paris 07/07/09, Tel-Aviv 24/09/09, Salzburg 27/07/10
wafflewaitress

Re: Which is your favorite Leonard Cohen period?

Post by wafflewaitress »

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Last edited by wafflewaitress on Mon Sep 12, 2022 2:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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TheSpice-BoxOfEarth
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Re: Which is your favorite Leonard Cohen period?

Post by TheSpice-BoxOfEarth »

My choise is 2000s, because nowadays he is full of inner peace and harmony. (I swear it won`t kill ya and there are many girls for you Leonard. ;-) )
A cross on every hill
A star, a minaret
So many graves to fill
O love, aren’t you tired yet?


- The Faith, Leonard Cohen
iveta
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Re: Which is your favorite Leonard Cohen period?

Post by iveta »

I used to think he's the truly accursed, the most narcissic and maniodepressive poet, presenting the most dizzy heights and depths, ever since Edgar Allan Poe or Charles Baudelaire.
...first when the cheerfullness came breaking through, I felt as if Charles Baudelaire got out of his grave to write the flowers of good.
But soon I realized, that the job of poetry is not only to show you the dizziest depths of the most terrifing abbyses.
The job of poetry is also to help you get real with some sort of wisdom and human touch.
(just like 10 new songs do)
Of course I´m pathetic, I´ve spent my life getting the most impressive stuff out of the most impressive books. Malcolm Bradbury
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Quasand
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Re: Which is your favorite Leonard Cohen period?

Post by Quasand »

How many more studio albums do you think Leonard Cohen will release before he retires or dies?

Do you think this poll will need a 2020s option?
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Stamatina
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Re: Which is your favorite Leonard Cohen period?

Post by Stamatina »

Apart from the fact that this question is a little macabre..
Quasand wrote:he retires or dies?
:shock:
..neither will ever happen.. :roll:
"Oh chosen love, Oh frozen love
Oh tangle of matter and ghost
Oh darling of angels, demons and saints
And the whole broken-hearted host
Gentle this soul..."
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LisaLCFan
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Location: Canada

Re: Which is your favorite Leonard Cohen period?

Post by LisaLCFan »

I finally voted, and said the 1960s. It was tough, though, since my first experience with Leonard Cohen was in the late 80s with I'm Your Man, which I love enormously. I also think that I'm Your Man and The Future should be in the same "period," so the decade-divisions are a bit awkward (and with the release of Stranger Music in the 90s, I was also introduced to Leonard's poetry, so late-80s-early-90s are a "period" to me, which I love. And maybe that is my favourite period, but being unable to vote for that, I didn't!). So, within the restriction of the decade-specific categories, Songs of Leonard Cohen (as well as select songs from Songs from a Room and Songs of Love and Hate), The Favourite Game, and The Spice-Box of Earth were enough to sway my vote to the 60s. (I'm very glad to have it all, though!)
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MadderAlice
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Re: Which is your favorite Leonard Cohen period?

Post by MadderAlice »

i tend to fluctuate quite a bit...on many different things...
but on this one i am positive.
the 80's.
Various Positions was really my first exposure...
and opened the doors to so much else.
like my first kiss...i'll always compare all others to it.

(so that makes I'm Your Man like second base for me. :lol: )
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Quasand
Posts: 90
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Re: Which is your favorite Leonard Cohen period?

Post by Quasand »

1950s
Let Us Compare Mythologies

1960s
The Favourite Game
Beautiful Losers
The Spice-Box of Earth
Flowers For Hitler
Parasites of Heaven
Songs of Leonard Cohen
Songs From A Room

1970s
The Energy of Slaves
Death of a Lady's Man
Songs of Love and Hate
The Best of Leonard Cohen
Live Songs
New Skin For the Old Ceremony
Death of a Ladies' Man
Recent Songs

1980s
Book of Mercy
Various Positions
I'm Your Man

1990s
The Future
Cohen Live
More Best Of
Stranger Music

2000s
Feild Commander Cohen
Ten New Songs
Dear Heather
The Essential Leonard Cohen
Book of Longing
Live In London
Songs From the Road
Last edited by Quasand on Fri Sep 10, 2010 5:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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LisaLCFan
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Re: Which is your favorite Leonard Cohen period?

Post by LisaLCFan »

Upon reflection, and after watching Live in London again this weekend, I could easily change my vote (I voted "1960s") to the 2000s. Seeing Leonard in concert for the first time ever (April 2009), the whole absolutely amazing World Tour currently ongoing, his continued creativity with the sublime Ten New Songs, the fun and ecclectic Dear Heather, Book of Longing, and Leonard's generally wonderful energy and happy demeanour expressed over the past few years and especially on the current tour, I have to say that I love him now more than ever (and I can still enjoy all previous "periods" anytime I want!). So, I say my favourite period is NOW!
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Quasand
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Re: Which is your favorite Leonard Cohen period?

Post by Quasand »

Has everyone voted?
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Cheshire gal
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Re: Which is your favorite Leonard Cohen period?

Post by Cheshire gal »

Just voted for the 80's. I think I love the violin that was part of the band then. It added so much to his wonderful songs. I must say he is still fantastic. It is, of course, necessary to have change to keep his music fresh. I look forward to the future for him. He just gets better. :D :D


Cheshire gal
'...and here's a man still working for your little smile' -Leonard Cohen
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