Leonard Cohen Compilation

Cohen Knight · Post by **Cohen Knight** » Wed Dec 17, 2003 1:20 am

Its funny how all this is happening at once. First a Christmas compilation and now a Leonard Cohen one.
My friend is going away tommorow for the holidays, and I promised her a Leonard Cohen compilation to get her started with Mr. Cohen's music. She's heard enough of him to want to get into his music, but he is still a big mystery at the moment.
What I'm asking is if anybody can help me decide what would be essential for a new fan. At the same time I don't want anybody to think all I do with my time is make CD's for people. The whole purpose of this CD is to give her a taste of Mr. Cohen all around but just enough so when she listens to the continuity of the albums. They will still have something to offer. This shouldn't be a greatest hits type thing. Its looking at Leonard Cohen the songwriter, and what would be a good way of telling his story while incorparating his entire catalog. I think everybody gets the point. Thanks for any suggestions.

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Wed Dec 17, 2003 1:24 am

Should it include or exclude what she's already heard? What has she already heard?

Cohen Knight · Post by **Cohen Knight** » Wed Dec 17, 2003 1:29 am

lizzytysh wrote:Should it include or exclude what she's already heard? What has she already heard?

No. I told her to go in her bedroom and close the lights, and listen. I made her hear "Alexandra Leaving", "The Future", and "The Chelsea Hotel # 2". She was very impressed when she came back.

linmag · Post by **linmag** » Wed Dec 17, 2003 3:53 am

I have tried this kind of thing before, Mike, and know just how difficult it can be. By ruthlessly limiting myself to two songs per album, and regretfully excluding all the live ones, I have come up with the following list. I cheerfully expect to be shot down in flames

Suzanne
Hey, That's no Way to Say Goodbye
Bird on the Wire
Lady Midnight
Famous Blue Raincoat
Joan of Arc
Why Don't You Try
Who by Fire
True Love Leaves no Traces
Iodine
The Window
The Smokey Life
Dance Me to the End of Love
If It be Your Will
Take This Waltz
Tower of Song
Closing Time
Democracy
That Don't Make it Junk
The Land of Plenty

I have no idea whether this selection would all fit onto a single CD. In any case, I suspect you will find that this enterprise will go the same way as your Christmas compilation, and end up on two CDs

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Wed Dec 17, 2003 5:04 am

Hi Mike ~

Excellent idea! That's the method I should have been trying all these years. Perhaps the only way to do it:

I told her to go in her bedroom and close the lights, and listen.

I know that scenario so well. Many nights have been spent in the dark listening. It would hardly have mattered which songs you chose. The power that comes from out of the darkness remains the same.

~ Elizabeth

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Wed Dec 17, 2003 5:11 am

Linmag ~

Don't look to me to light the flame thrower. You did a lot better than I could have. Remembering it's just the beginning for her, and the Live songs will be such a treat! The only absolute I had was to begin with "Suzanne." That was the first word I ever heard out of Leonard's mouth. Its impact was priceless.

~ Lizzy

Arno · Post by **Arno** » Wed Dec 17, 2003 12:07 pm

Lizzy ,

that's right. Suzanne has to be the first on the list. I remember a few years ago I heard Cohen for the first time and it was Suzanne. A friend and great guitarist played it and I still remember this feeling I got when I first heard it. For me this is the closest one comes to "magic". I would also include Alexandra Leaving on the list.

Take care
Arno

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Wed Dec 17, 2003 4:37 pm

Oh, you're right, Arno....."Alexandra Leaving" wasn't on there, except that she's already listened to it, in her bedroom in the dark. It's magical, too

.

[Whoops ~ I just noticed that I ran these two together, so I've now separated them out into two, separate paragraphs. What follows is in regard to "Suzanne," not "Alexandra Leaving," which I have never heard outside of my own equipment

~ yet

!] In the few times I've heard it played outside of my equipment, just the slightest strain of it pulls me in from afar, no matter where I'm at or what I'm doing. Instantly recognizable, and emanating the same magic. It's difficult to describe the effect.

linmag · Post by **linmag** » Thu Dec 18, 2003 12:27 am

Alexandra Leaving would definitely have been on the list if the lady in question had not already heard it.

Cohen Knight · Post by **Cohen Knight** » Thu Dec 18, 2003 5:40 am

I personaly think Alexandra Leaving is my favorite Cohen song to date. Its one of those songs that "perfection" comes to mind when I think of it.

The compilation thing is going to take a few more days. I have until early next week now to get it ready. I promised her I'd mail it. Just thought you'd like to know.

Thank you.