Mike (Cohen Knight)
Cohen's Health and New Record
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Cohen Knight
- Posts: 65
- Joined: Fri Jun 06, 2003 4:10 am
- Location: Montreal, Quebec
Cohen's Health and New Record
On Friday I was on my way to meet an older, wiser friend of mine to talk about music, and pretty much anything we have on our minds. I was excited to let him know the news of Mr. Cohen being in the studio writing, and recording a new record. I could hardly hold it in. After shouting out everything I had heard from the sources given to the publick. He looked at me and made what I interpreted as a very scary comment. "Maybe he's sick" he said. This hit me like a ton of bricks for obvious reasons. Before we got to such a dreadful idea I was telling him the history of Mr. Cohen and recording. How he usually would take about 4 years between records, and how long it took for a follow up of "The Future" and also how I was so happy to hear he was in the studio working on a new musical project. The more I thought about he's comment the more I realized it may be true. Why would Mr. Cohen be in the studio when he obviously has other projects about? Why would he so quickly start a new record when it took him about 7 years to followup "The Future"? The idea of Mr. Cohen wanting to create something new before its to late did come to mind. I kept thinking about Johnny Cash and how during his last days him being in the studio from dusk till dawn laying down tracks for a new record. It also made me think of a film starring Clint Eastwood (Honkeytonk Man) which also plays along this idea. I've been thinking about this for the last few days, and finally I thought maybe it would be a good idea to share my concerns with the rest of the community here. Does anybody think this is plane stupid or there might be some fact behind it. Please do share
Mike (Cohen Knight)
Mike (Cohen Knight)
Dear Mike ~
I can understand how you feel and your concern. Perhaps you'll be encouraged by reading the thread [page 1, about 3/4 of the way down in the "News" section] begun on June 15, 2003, by Jarkko, titled "The Tough Guy in His Star Trek Uniform," regarding his just having posted this new drawing [by Leonard] on his site.
Due to the nature of the drawing, the notion of "Beam Me Up, Scotty," potentially representing Leonard's knowledge [and imparting to his fans the news, in a "lighter" fashion] of his own, impending death received a lot of conjecture on both sides of the glass. The outcome of it all, per reliable sources, is that Leonard is in excellent health and very busy. His reasons for switching tracks mid-stream could be as simple as "writer's block" with the poetry book he had been compiling; or simply being drawn in another direction. Perhaps his muse was becoming quite insistent, and he finally gave in, realigning his projects. The album was intended to follow the book, regardless. He continues to travel regularly, and still appears to be very vital and in excellent health. The reality, of course, is "Who isn't dying?"
It's very easy for people to tend toward the morose when someone has drank his share, continues to smoke, and is nearly 70; and toward the dramatic when they are in the arts-and-entertainment industry.
I'm sorry to hear that your older friend seemed to go immediately to a negative interpretation of something that we are all thrilled about, and it would seem Leonard is, too. I say, "Keep the faith, and your energy focused positively, on Leonard's behalf." Death comes soon enough to all of us.
~ Elizabeth
I can understand how you feel and your concern. Perhaps you'll be encouraged by reading the thread [page 1, about 3/4 of the way down in the "News" section] begun on June 15, 2003, by Jarkko, titled "The Tough Guy in His Star Trek Uniform," regarding his just having posted this new drawing [by Leonard] on his site.
Due to the nature of the drawing, the notion of "Beam Me Up, Scotty," potentially representing Leonard's knowledge [and imparting to his fans the news, in a "lighter" fashion] of his own, impending death received a lot of conjecture on both sides of the glass. The outcome of it all, per reliable sources, is that Leonard is in excellent health and very busy. His reasons for switching tracks mid-stream could be as simple as "writer's block" with the poetry book he had been compiling; or simply being drawn in another direction. Perhaps his muse was becoming quite insistent, and he finally gave in, realigning his projects. The album was intended to follow the book, regardless. He continues to travel regularly, and still appears to be very vital and in excellent health. The reality, of course, is "Who isn't dying?"
It's very easy for people to tend toward the morose when someone has drank his share, continues to smoke, and is nearly 70; and toward the dramatic when they are in the arts-and-entertainment industry.
I'm sorry to hear that your older friend seemed to go immediately to a negative interpretation of something that we are all thrilled about, and it would seem Leonard is, too. I say, "Keep the faith, and your energy focused positively, on Leonard's behalf." Death comes soon enough to all of us.
~ Elizabeth
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Cohen Knight
- Posts: 65
- Joined: Fri Jun 06, 2003 4:10 am
- Location: Montreal, Quebec
Thank you Elezabeth for taking the time to compose a reply. It does make me feel a little better. A lot of the artists I've come to know are well in there age compared to me but no one past Mr. Cohen. I guess after my friend made such a comment I couldn't help think the ennevitable. I guess in the end knowing Mr. Cohen is happy and well is enough to get me through the day. Hopefully all is well and it will be expressed in his next form of creativity. Here's to HAPPINESS! 
Leonard did told something like "I am old" in interviews for Ten New Songs, and how he wants to make another album and finish the book while he has time. Other stuff like live album or new novel are some of his familiar not finished plans after the records - there were many plans like these after previous records. The work on new album started immediately, it seems that he never took holiday after Ten New Songs, but proceeded in his monastery style (with getting up early in the morning etc). In chat with fans in Autumn 2001 he already told he's doing new songs with guitar again, and that many outtaked verses from, for instance A Thousand Kisses Deep, will be probably used for one more album.
We passed some release dates, also a "possible tour in the next year" (2002), but I think we would already hear if Leonard is not well. He is now, it seems to me, very durable and much wiser, as he said, and he will be last to survive. He looks like such man
Tom
We passed some release dates, also a "possible tour in the next year" (2002), but I think we would already hear if Leonard is not well. He is now, it seems to me, very durable and much wiser, as he said, and he will be last to survive. He looks like such man
Tom
Leonard Cohen Newswire / bookoflonging.com (retired) / leonardcohencroatia.com (retired)
I think how amazing it is that LC is still creating so late in life, and hope we are as prolific and strong in our 60's!
The fires raging in his part of the world worry me, though. Does anyone know if Leonard's home is threatened?
The fires raging in his part of the world worry me, though. Does anyone know if Leonard's home is threatened?
"...and for something like a second, I was cured, and my heart was at ease."
Hi Jeannie ~
I found out that it's not [a "whew" emoticon would be appropriate at this point]. I felt the same way you do, wondering where and how far they were headed. I remember all too well the firestorms in Florida several years back, and it's an incredible feeling of helpless vulnerability. They came very close to where I live. Nature is so her own creature, and the fires are truly raging in Leonard's part of the world, but he is safely apart from their threat.
~ Elizabeth
I found out that it's not [a "whew" emoticon would be appropriate at this point]. I felt the same way you do, wondering where and how far they were headed. I remember all too well the firestorms in Florida several years back, and it's an incredible feeling of helpless vulnerability. They came very close to where I live. Nature is so her own creature, and the fires are truly raging in Leonard's part of the world, but he is safely apart from their threat.
~ Elizabeth
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Cohen Crusader
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Sun Nov 02, 2003 12:23 am
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TheBlueMask
- Posts: 18
- Joined: Mon Apr 28, 2003 8:12 am
- Location: Santa Clarita, California
- Contact:
My Take...
My take is that at Cohen's age he is enjoying life. Truly enjoying life. Remember those interviews where he talked about his depression going away because he thinks as one gets older the brain cells that cause depression die?
He has also been doing much traveling in the past year or so. Cohen is doing the things he wants to do. At his age he should do whatever he wants.
He has also been doing much traveling in the past year or so. Cohen is doing the things he wants to do. At his age he should do whatever he wants.
In the general populace, depression increases dramatically with age.
I'm guessing that Our Leonard did not spend all those hours in meditation for naught, and that is what helped him turn that corner.
I wonder how many of us on this forum have depression in one form or another?
I was treated first in 1999 for sesonal affective disorder, and had been on antidepressant therapy until a couple of months ago.
In Leonard's biographical book "In His Own Words" he talks about the drugs keeping him from dropping below a certain threshold, but also keeping him from reaching above it. Aslo affecting sexual expression, whcih he found intolerable. So he stopped taking them and eventually got better . I wouldn't recomend this for everyone, but I decided to take a page out of his book, so to speak, and have not regretted it so far.
I'm guessing that Our Leonard did not spend all those hours in meditation for naught, and that is what helped him turn that corner.
I wonder how many of us on this forum have depression in one form or another?
I was treated first in 1999 for sesonal affective disorder, and had been on antidepressant therapy until a couple of months ago.
In Leonard's biographical book "In His Own Words" he talks about the drugs keeping him from dropping below a certain threshold, but also keeping him from reaching above it. Aslo affecting sexual expression, whcih he found intolerable. So he stopped taking them and eventually got better . I wouldn't recomend this for everyone, but I decided to take a page out of his book, so to speak, and have not regretted it so far.
"...and for something like a second, I was cured, and my heart was at ease."
This is a very courageous and affirming posting, Jeannie. It's heartening to see people speak like you have. It helps to destigmatize people's seeking the help, that exists to assist people in living normal lives. You're right regarding its prevalence in our world today. The page out of Leonard's book, of course, did/does the same, as you're doing here. It's great to see you take your cue from him, originally [even if he wasn't the literal impetus], and now, with it.
Love,
Elizabeth
Love,
Elizabeth
Hi All:
Yes indeed Jeannieb's posting is extremely courageous, esp. when there is so much stigma against such diagnoses. I work in the field, so all I can say is if your quality of life is not compromised without it, more power to you. But I don't think one need do what Leonard has done because it worked for him (and I am not surmising that you did Jeannieb). Generally speaking the diagnosis can present differently in everyone and the medication therapy too is unique to each individual. I think it is important to do things for one's own reasons and at the heart (no pun intended) of it I believe that is what Leonard does.
As regards the origin of this thread focusing on Leonard's health. My suggestion to those who are worried about it is let us celebrate the gifts he shares with us and not speculate if he is unwell or not. If there is something and he wishes it to be known to those who enjoy his work, I suppose he would let us know through Jarkko possibly. Or perhaps Jarkko would share it with us.
Of course it would sadden me immensely if there was something. But I wouldn't be unduly influenced by someone's offhand remark. Though unquestionably it would be a bright reason to celebrate a new work of Leonard's of that there can be no doubt.
In fact I could listen to him reading the phone directory anyday. Though I would love to have some nice ambience around me when he did so. Perhaps the smell of sweet pipe tobacco and the furnishings of an old ship captain's cabin like it looked a 100 years ago on the high seas. What an incongruous expectation!! Esp. considering he would be reading the phone book. But then I am talking ambience
Have a good one all,
Biraj
Yes indeed Jeannieb's posting is extremely courageous, esp. when there is so much stigma against such diagnoses. I work in the field, so all I can say is if your quality of life is not compromised without it, more power to you. But I don't think one need do what Leonard has done because it worked for him (and I am not surmising that you did Jeannieb). Generally speaking the diagnosis can present differently in everyone and the medication therapy too is unique to each individual. I think it is important to do things for one's own reasons and at the heart (no pun intended) of it I believe that is what Leonard does.
As regards the origin of this thread focusing on Leonard's health. My suggestion to those who are worried about it is let us celebrate the gifts he shares with us and not speculate if he is unwell or not. If there is something and he wishes it to be known to those who enjoy his work, I suppose he would let us know through Jarkko possibly. Or perhaps Jarkko would share it with us.
Of course it would sadden me immensely if there was something. But I wouldn't be unduly influenced by someone's offhand remark. Though unquestionably it would be a bright reason to celebrate a new work of Leonard's of that there can be no doubt.
In fact I could listen to him reading the phone directory anyday. Though I would love to have some nice ambience around me when he did so. Perhaps the smell of sweet pipe tobacco and the furnishings of an old ship captain's cabin like it looked a 100 years ago on the high seas. What an incongruous expectation!! Esp. considering he would be reading the phone book. But then I am talking ambience
Have a good one all,
Biraj
"So if you're sitting all alone and hear a-knocking at your door and the air is full of promises, well buddy, you've been warned!!!"
Nick Cave on love
Nick Cave on love
Yes, I agree, Biraj, that one must do things for their own reasons. I didn't mean to give the impression that I knew one way or the other how it came about. I'm not really certain whether Jeannie's decision had Leonard's page as its impetus, or whether it merely as similar to it, and served as an effective metaphor/analogy for her own decision-making.
The wonderful thing about people, who are others' role models/heroes/etc., speaking out on conditions/experiences that do stigmatize in our society, is that it can, in fact, act as a catalyst and personally affect that person's courage, fortifying them to take action, therapeutically ~ obtaining counseling, treatment, medication, etc. ~ on the basis of "Well, if he/she can live with it/do it, so can I." We see so much of it with regard to celebrities in various ways. I was glad to see Leonard speak out on his own path in that regard, with that reason included.
After all this, I also know I'm preaching to the choir .
~ Elizabeth
The wonderful thing about people, who are others' role models/heroes/etc., speaking out on conditions/experiences that do stigmatize in our society, is that it can, in fact, act as a catalyst and personally affect that person's courage, fortifying them to take action, therapeutically ~ obtaining counseling, treatment, medication, etc. ~ on the basis of "Well, if he/she can live with it/do it, so can I." We see so much of it with regard to celebrities in various ways. I was glad to see Leonard speak out on his own path in that regard, with that reason included.
After all this, I also know I'm preaching to the choir
.~ Elizabeth