New Song from Chicago

[SuzanneT]

I do not know .. I work with poetry nearly all his life, interpret poetry, poetry theater play, so I understand poetry (of course more Czech than English) but I think that it can not parse every word, every verse. It's a bit like an abstract image - the image will look hundreds of people and hard you will find two of the same opinion. Of course, that whole sort of general sense can be determined, but the details may be slightly different for each sense.
I believe the overall effect of the song - no need to explain every word. And I think that the overall impression is most of us here agree.

[sue7]

Our resident videographer Al received a good review in this piece from Twentyfourbit:

http://www.twentyfourbit.com/post/23112 ... um-in-2010

Leonard Cohen unveils new song (New album in 2010)?

You may have thought that Leonard Cohen’s world tour had ended after his onstage collapse and brief trip to the hospital in Spain recently, but not only has the poet/singer/legend hopped back into the spotlight, he’s also unveiling a few new songs that will possibly appear on an upcoming album.

In Chicago last week, Cohen performed his second new tune since the tour’s start and we’ve got a great quality video here or embedded below to prove it (via The Music Slut). Cohen didn’t supply a title or any info about it beyond cryptically referring to this instant classic as “the other blues song.”

Now would one of the greatest songwriters of all time simply tease us with a live version of this brilliant gem? Has he gone all Sufjan on us? According to an upcoming book on Cohen, we may actually be getting a preview from an album that’s in the works for a 2010 release.

American Songwriter’s Kevin Richards writes that forthcoming Cohen biography Hallelujah “reveals details about fresh songs that will purportedly be part of a new studio album, to be released next year.” What’s more, the press release states that Cohen’s new material is “currently being recorded alongside more live performances.”

Is it too soon to call for an Arcade Fire/Leonard Cohen tour next year?

November 2, 2009 1:46pm Leonard Cohen

[Undertow]

The world tour continuing into 2010 and a new album in 2010 too? I feel like Im going to spend a large amount of time listening to Leonard come next year.

[Patrycja]

WOW thanks very much, Al! What equipment are you using to get such great videos??

I love how Leonard always sings it like means it...mmmmm...

[Absent Mare]

Yes, not to explain the lyrics in any particular way.
Just wanted to present how I hear the song.

The relationship with the Beloved is finished,
not because it is over and done with,
but in the recognition of no relationship between the one and the One.

I hear a beautiful acknowledgement of Divine ordinariness.
A whoop for joy.

Does this explain anything?
I don't think so.

[loki17ie]

Thanks Al, this is great. From fellow Irish Cohenite

[LEONKA]

The song is beautiful, Leonard.

[sue7]

I thought it was worth posting back on this thread the link to Arlene's video from Las Vegas: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGQ1vqrto7I
I'm pretty sure there's another new verse in there, and I think that Bob Metzger's wonderful guitar solo is new too.
Here are the words are as I heard them:

Feels so good, not to love you like I did.
Feels so good, not to love you like I did.
It's like they tore away the blindfold and they said, we're gonna let this prisoner live.
It's like they tore away the blindfold and they said, we're gonna let this prisoner live.

Feels so good to wake up in the morning by myself,
Cup of coffee in the kitchen, fire up a little danger to my health.
I got the same old broken heart but now it feels like it belongs to someone else.
I got the same old broken heart but now it feels like it belongs to someone else.

Feels so good not to wonder who you're with,
who you love, who you touch, who you kiss.
But I just, I guess, got lucky, I just never thought this ugly mood would lift,
I guess I just got lucky 'cause I never thought this ugly mood would lift.

Feels so good, not to love you like I did.
I don't know why, but it just is.
It's like they tore away my blindfold and they said, we're gonna let this prisoner live.
It's like they tore away my blindfold and they said, we're gonna let this prisoner live.

[sturgess66]

Thanks Sue for the new verse! And you are absolutely right - wonderful guitar solo by Bob Metzger. And something else new from the original debut version in Chicago - Roscoe is now playing double bass/upright bass. Also, I think the part of the Hammond B3 with Neil Larsen has become much more defined/refined. And there is a visual of a whole lotta guitars. A real gem of a blues song. I really like it - and it just gets better and better.

I read somewhere that it is Roscoe who is mainly responsible for the marvelous arrangements of these songs. Does anyone know more about that? I'm sure there is input/output from all, and certainly Leonard himself - but does Roscoe do the arrangements generally?

[sue7]

Linda, I agree with you about this song getting better and better. I really feel that with this performance it has "come together" and sounds really good. It no longer sounds like a "new song," but like a song that the band plays and Leonard sings. I love how they're reworking it with each performance. You're right about the upright bass too.

[hydriot]

Roscoe is now playing double bass/upright bass.

But is that really Roscoe? (cut hair, shortened sideburns, new tailor, no spectacles)?

[dick]

As Leonard said in Vegas and San Jose

Roscoe, the kid, is back!

[bridger15]

As Leonard said in Vegas and San Jose

Roscoe, the kid, is back!

Be still, my fluttering heart. Ooh-la-la!

---Arlene

[Jonnie Falafel]

I absolutely love this song. It rings so true. Who hasn't felt like this?