Have you heard Dear Heather?

[Anth]

Probably I put my impressions in the wrong thread So let me repeat...

Piracy is a very bad thing
Especially when you are forced to buy from pirates (where else?!) the album of the Maestro or you have to wait while it will reach the misty coasts of Baltic... So the original is still pending on some request list and the piratecopy is in my CD player already for a week.
But let's not forget the market of collectibles in Hydra where some russian guy has sold a lot of pirat compilations for the die-hard fans and for the price 20 times higher then he bought in Russia - i.e. I'm not the only one

My impression - Dear Heather is something in the middle between the album and audio book of poetry. It's something I have never heard before from any artist. There was some confusion, there were some uncertainties with the album, but then I found - this album shall be listened thoroughly, as "long meditation". You have to meditate on it, you have to listen to it. It's not "The Future" with its No1 hits, it's not the songbook of "Ten New Songs". It's something special and something nice.

My favourites:
No.1. - The Faith - it brings you close to tears and close to "Recent Songs", one of the most melodic album of Maestro.
No.2. - The Letters - very quiet, subtle echo of "Waiting for the Miracle", wonderful duet and incredibly simple, but thoughtful lyrics.
No.3. - Because Of. No music needed. This is one of the best things Master have ever wrote (imho of course)
No.4. Nightingale / Undertow - nice done.
No.5. On That Day - for unknown reason already a week I'm mumbling this song. "Did you go crazy, or did you report?" - what that supposed to MEAN?
No.6. - Dear Heather - let's play, let's do something weird like we've never done before. You did it. I like it!
No.7. - Tennessee Waltz - I like waltz. I like additional verse. I'd like more additional verses, but...
No.8 - No More A-Roving and all the rest.

[misha]

Iam listening to Dear Heather for the first time and I love it - it is defos different to Ten New Songs - this album to me is mellow and I feel like he should sing the songs in a small jazz type club whilst we sit at small tables watching him.

[lizzytysh]

What's challenging here is trying to concentrate on work, whilst listening to Dear Heather, the far more compelling of the two.

One of the things I really like about the song "Dear Heather" is that it dispels the myth that Leonard is hopelessly glued to/obsessed with the 'physical' ['attractiveness'] when it comes to his attraction to women, with regard to their bodies. "Legs all white from the winter" has long been an issue 'bemoaned' by women, a somehow 'diminishing' connotation of how they look to themselves [and presumably to others], absent the sun; and here Leonard includes it as merely an aspect of Heather, wherein he longs for her to walk by him again [just one more time?]. The state of her legs is a non-issue to him, or if anything, a fondness in his memory; but serves primarily as a reminder of how she looked then. His desire is clearly for her.

When the music of "Because Of" first begins, I think of "A Thousand Kisses Deep." After that, it becomes its own, and Leonard couldn't possibly have chosen a better voice, intonations, and music, than he did for it. Leonard also seems to have tied this album together within itself with other repetitions [other than the 'love itself' ones], for example, the phrase "the faith" in "Villanelle" being the title of another song. In several places, including when her voice softly cascades with her "Ey yi yi yi yi"s, Anjani sounds a bit like Perla, on one of her covers of Leonard's songs.

~ Lizzy

[Byron]

tom waits and REAL GONE.

[lizzytysh]

This album has moved into my life seamlessly. It has a rent-free room of its own.

I've had a day of almost continuous listening. I have begun to sing along with some; if not with the vocals, then with the melody. Leonard's speaking of the poems still carry me completely away. I'm willing to pay the [double] price of both [each individually], if he'll release a spoken version of his upcoming book of poems with it.

[Barrymmm]

I've been listening to 'Dear Heather' the last few days and I think it is brilliant! I love it's poetry and how he experiments on some songs. I like how they mix the male and female voices. It's a very emotional and thought provoking album. Cohen is full of surprises and memories; from how he sings 'I was there for you' to how he sings 'from bitter searching of the heart...'

He says it all.

And Im looking forward to his Book of Longing...

Peace and Joy,

Barry

[lizzytysh]

Yes, I'm astounded by each subsequent listening, Barry ~ "from bitter searching of the heart" ~ he had to have felt, "Yes. I nailed it."

I went to sleep again last night, listening. My physiological responses to it include my heart beating fast with a kind of disbelief at its beauty, to a soothed and slowed heartbeat, a meditative response to its beauty. I have a strong feeling that if the critics relisten to it, they will start adding stars and numbers to their ratings. People need to get past their iron gates of 'expectation' to arrive at the inner sanctum that this album, with regality, escorts you to.

~ Lizzy

[Barrymmm]

yes Lizzy,
I agree. The lyrics to the album are pure poetry. Who else can compare to him?
I think it's a beautiful album to meditate to.
It's pretty inspiring in its creativity.
Now that the album is out the critics views are immaterial anyway!

Barry

[lizzytysh]

"Now that the album is out the critics views are immaterial anyway!"

TRUER words ~ NEVER spoken. It is its own. Perhaps, a cryptic way of saying what I mean, but I think it's understandable.

[Barrymmm]

yea well I dont know about you but I just read reviews as a kind of preview to an album. They can be annoying and negative though and I read some such of Dear Heather. I guess critics job is to criticise but 'Dont criticise what you cant understand' sung Bob Dylan.

Whats your fave song?

Barry

[lizzytysh]

You've gotta be kidding, Barry! You have a favourite at this juncture !?!

[Barrymmm]

Well there are no bad songs on Dear Heather
I like them all
So I guess the question isnt fair
Ok try this one. Whats your fave song on Ten New Songs?

[lizzytysh]

~ I appreciate the reprieve. However, of all artists I've ever heard, Leonard offers me the least opportunity to select favourites.....albums or songs. That's why he has won my hard-earned devotion. Even though it may seem that it is a giveaway, that perception is nothing more than a mirage. I am solidly in his camp for good reason. My loyalty will remain so till the grave invites me.

Sorry that I can't help you out on Ten New Songs, either. There are plenty here who can. I just don't happen to be one of them. Each song impacts me in different ways. Like a mother who dearly loves her children, favourites are simply not an issue. For me, there are no bad songs on Ten New Songs, either. "B-o-o-o-o-o-r-i-i-i-i-i-n-g," I know.....but what can I say. It's how I feel. Fortunately, my feelings don't have to be exciting ~ or, even of interest ~ to anyone .

[Barrymmm]

I admire your devotion!

Barry

[lizzytysh]

Thanks, Barry . It irritates some.....even in my personal life. However ~ first, to thine own self be true ~ is that not how that goes?

"Dear Heather" is an album of elegance and majesty.