leonardcohenforum.com

MSNBC just showed a montage of pictures of the devastation with "Hallelujah" as background music. It should be on thier web-site soon.
Jim

[wow] That's unbelievable. That's a 'mainstream' network. The profound depth and breadth of Leonard's music is simply unmistakable to those who listen and hear.

They could have played "The Letter" from Dear Heather with the line about there's been a flood, there's nothing left. That was quoted recently in conjunction with Leonard's financial catatrophe. "Who by fire, who by water," would have also done nicely.

You're right, Lightning. Those may be yet to come. As always, "The Future," as well. So many things Leonard has written have so many potential and profound applications.

[Now, I need to change "mainline" to "mainstream."]

I wonder whose version they played? Leonard's? Still, a pretty savvy producer there somewhere. Hallelujuah is destined to be a 'classic'.

Linda

I only heard the last 30 seconds, it was not a version I've heard before - could have been a woman. I'll try and find it on thier web-site tomorrow.
Jim

Lizzy wrote:Now, I need to change "mainline" to "mainstream."]

Aha! I'm going to start looking for 'where Lizzy avoided an edit line'. There must be more...

Unfortunately [in the lightest sense of the word], I didn't avoid it, but merely explained it. I so wish they could be avoided, but they do manage to keep people 'honest.'

Yes, Jim, I'm going to try to find it, too, simply to watch and listen. If you can provide a direct link, that'd be great.

~ Lizzy

My Archaya was telling me last spring how amazed he was with Leonard Cohen and the Dear Heather Album, must have been the song The Letter he was refering to, about how it applied to the tsunami. see Leonard is a mystic.

Hallelujuah is destined to be a 'classic'.

The song Hallelujuah is everywhere. I was talking with a client who plays piano at the local Unitarian Fellowship. They love to sing Hallelujuah people request it frequently. When I was walking home was it yesterday? I heard someone singing it in their house without music.
Will Hallelujuah surpass Suzanne? Will I ever learn to spell Hallelugah without having to copy and paste doh! not yet

We saw the same coverage Jim mentions -- it was the Jeff Buckley version in the background. As much as I love both Leonard versions, and Rufus does a hell of a job too, the Buckley rendition is what has become a screen/tv anthem. It was also played when tv first came back after 9/11 at the opening of each hour with photos of people reading message boards and looking for their loved ones by candlelight.

dick

Hallelujah is the one song that has been talked about the most in this forum. At least since I've been here. Every one of us has a special and personal connection to that song. Now, we hear it everywhere, yes. I hear Buckley's version, though. So much more passion. Everyone has their favourite version. Some like John Cale. In the article that Jarkko posted about Jennifer Warnes, she speaks of the piano where Cale ruined some great melodies. I wonder which ones?

Terrific song. Great topic, always.

Linda.

it is definitely a great song which is so powerful in transferring feelings. no wonder it's so famous. adn it is different from many other cohen songs in that it is quite musical, not like the other songs that are more poetic (and fortunately there are still so many of them!). that may also be a reason for its popularity.
though, when i listen to lc music in my car and the song plays, i always think people hearing me playing -nowadays, in this world- "hallelujah" will wonder a lot...

I like KD Lange's version, she has the most beautiful voice ever fer sure, she could sing the phone book.

Tri-me, I so agree with you, there are so many lovely versions of Hallelujah floating around, but K D Lang's version leaves the others cold (except L C's) If I go a few day's without listening to it, I am like a junkie needing a fix - sad isn't it????
Ali

Maybe it does some good and does some harm.