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gingermop wrote:I don't normally get involved in discussions like this, but this one has gone on for a while and begs to be clarified in order to give the Webb Sisters and Leonard their due as to this particular arrangement. Perhaps you will be touched, as I was, when I heard the reasoning behind this.

From a reliable source:

It is my understanding that 'If It Be Your Will' was originally rehearsed with Leonard singing it as normal, but the Webb Sisters' version was so good, and their harp/guitar playing so accomplished, the decision was made for Leonard to step back from the performance, literally as well as musically. The song is probably my favourite of Leonard's, so I was as surprised as anyone when I realised he was not singing it. Now that I have heard the Webb Sisters' performance, I understand.

Technically this makes the song a cover. Obviously Leonard is no stranger to covers. The difference here is that it is being performed with Leonard on the stage, stepping back and listening with the audience. Leonard said "They get me every time, emotionally, when I am standing there - because I'm seeing and hearing the next generation singing it". The delicious irony is that the song is about a voice silenced : now being performed by two talented young women on a world tour directly in front of the composer/writer. A tour, that some time ago, was deemed impossible.

It's that juxtoposition that creates the beauty of 2009's If It Be Your Will. He starts it, they finish it. He abides until he is spoken for, by the next generation, on his final tour. If Leonard sang it in its entirety, this small but perfect element would be lost.

Signing off from a broken hill,

G

gingermop wrote:I don't normally get involved in discussions like this.....from a reliable source..."They get me every time, emotionally, when I am standing there - because I'm seeing and hearing the next generation singing it"....

lizzytysh wrote:I'm so hoping that you do get to attend one of Leonard's concerts, John. You will be richly rewarded by the experience.

Gina, the explanation you gave from a reliable source continues to reverberate. It's also a gentle reminder of how self-absorbed we can sometimes become in our own wants and desires... not that we should be so apologetic about wanting to hear it sung by Leonard, but rather how we may be overlooking being happy with his touring, at all; as well as our not always being so willing to walk a mile in his shoes and, in this case, simply stand in them. Even as I write that much, the words you've shared echo and my eyes start burning with tears.

As far as I'm concerned, for me, the discussion is closed on this topic. If It Be Your Will has more facets than Leonard's speaking to G~d, and this explanation has reframed it in such a moving way.

So, as you do Your Will with your song, Leonard, I will appreciate and honour it through your eyes. Such a poignant choice you've made.


Love,
Lizzy

Box_of_Rain wrote:I used to think, after Jerry Garcia is gone, someone else could take his place and The Dead would continue. Jerry can never be replaced.

It's not the same no matter how you spin it.

I have to think about this for a while. I really appreciate your words Gina, thanks for sharing what Mr. Cohen is thinking. It helps us to try to understand this decison.

- I'll be listening to LC sing it tonight... :

Box_of_Rain wrote:

It's not the same no matter how you spin it.

I have to think about this for a while. I really appreciate your words Gina, thanks for sharing what Mr. Cohen is thinking. It helps us to try to understand this decison.