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Leonard Cohen passed away yesterday at age 82. RIP.
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"Anything you do can be fixed. What you cannot fix is the perfection of a blank page. What you cannot fix is that pristine, unsullied whiteness of a screen or a page with nothing on it—because there’s nothing there to fix."
Leonard Cohen has been one of my favorite artists since he started his career as a singer, songwriter, and poet. In my opinion, he equaled Bob Dylan in his singing, writing, and poetry, even though he never matched Dylan in popularity. His songs "Halleluja, "Bird on a Wire," and "Suzanne" were great, but my personal favorite, one that did not achieve the level of play of the others, was "The Partisan."
His passing is a real loss.
Bill
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And the end of the fight is a tombstone white, With the name of the late deceased, And the epitaph drear, "A fool lies here, Who tried to hustle the East."
RE: yet another RIP post... (in reply to BarkellWH)
That is a great song. I have a very fond memory of "Who by fire" during a live performance. There was something particularly, well, transcendental about it.
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"Anything you do can be fixed. What you cannot fix is the perfection of a blank page. What you cannot fix is that pristine, unsullied whiteness of a screen or a page with nothing on it—because there’s nothing there to fix."
Posts: 3470
Joined: Jul. 12 2009
From: Washington, DC
RE: yet another RIP post... (in reply to estebanana)
quote:
Gwen Ifil
Gwen Ifill had the most beautiful smile and was filled with such cheer! Smart, dedicated, and a real credit to the news. Will miss her greatly on the PBS News Hour, as well as on Washington Week.
Bill
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And the end of the fight is a tombstone white, With the name of the late deceased, And the epitaph drear, "A fool lies here, Who tried to hustle the East."
Posts: 3454
Joined: Jan. 20 2004
From: Austin, Texas USA
RE: yet another RIP post... (in reply to BarkellWH)
One of my grand-nieces worked for PBS News Hour, first as reporter, then as National Affairs Producer. Against Ifill's advice she announced she was departing for BBC America to take over U.S. presidential election coverage. Ifill was so disappointed she didn't speak to my grand-niece for two days.
On the third day Ifill took my grand-niece to lunch with others, and wished her well.
Ifill was a class act all the way. I, for one, will miss her greatly.
RE: yet another RIP post... (in reply to estebanana)
Wow. I just saw the news. I wasn't expecting that at all. She was so young... RIP. You will be missed, sorely.
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"Anything you do can be fixed. What you cannot fix is the perfection of a blank page. What you cannot fix is that pristine, unsullied whiteness of a screen or a page with nothing on it—because there’s nothing there to fix."
RE: yet another RIP post... (in reply to BarkellWH)
Amen, Bill........ and R.I.P. Leonard Cohen
Are you finding people changing up the words to "Hallelujah"?
The wife and I were at a wedding a few weekends ago. The priest pulls out a uke and starts singing Cohen's "Hallelujah", but he changed up the words. He re-wrote the song to celebrate the bride and groom. After the ceremony I told the priest, he had me anxious until he used his own words. We had a good laugh about it. Oddly, enough only he and I knew who Cohen was.
My guess is if clergy continue using their versions of "Hallelujah" just might become more popular after his passing.
RE: yet another RIP post... (in reply to SephardRick)
I think this belongs here:
Chris: - Has there ever been a conversation between the two of you?
Leonard: We met at a bar in Spain when I was doing a concert tour there, actually the bar where Lorca used to drink. And, we paid each other our respects. .
[song: Aleluya by Enrique Morente, from "Omega"] .
Chris: - That's spectacular. .
Leonard: Isn't it something?
[...]
Chris: Have you guys talked after you received the album?
"Anything you do can be fixed. What you cannot fix is the perfection of a blank page. What you cannot fix is that pristine, unsullied whiteness of a screen or a page with nothing on it—because there’s nothing there to fix."
RE: yet another RIP post... (in reply to SephardRick)
quote:
My guess is if clergy continue using their versions of "Hallelujah"...
"Cantor Gideon Zelermyer, accompanied by our Synagogue Choir and conducted by Music Director Roï Azoulay, chanted Keil Malei Rachamim, the memorial prayer, in Leonard’s memory. The Cantor and choir softly and gently sang the words “b’gan eden t’hei m’nuchato—may his repose be in paradise” to the famous refrain of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” "
And RIP Carrie Fisher apparently. If anyone else wants to go, you've got 4 more days to do it. I plan to have a nice fresh start for 2017 so do it now or wait until 2018 please.
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"Anything you do can be fixed. What you cannot fix is the perfection of a blank page. What you cannot fix is that pristine, unsullied whiteness of a screen or a page with nothing on it—because there’s nothing there to fix."
And RIP Carrie Fisher apparently. If anyone else wants to go, you've got 4 more days to do it. I plan to have a nice fresh start for 2017 so do it now or wait until 2018 please.
"Anything you do can be fixed. What you cannot fix is the perfection of a blank page. What you cannot fix is that pristine, unsullied whiteness of a screen or a page with nothing on it—because there’s nothing there to fix."
About 1957 I was just beginning to appreciate rock & roll, and both Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley were making their mark. Believe me, in those days (and considering American culture at the time) parents considered Chuck Berry far more "dangerous" to teenagers than Elvis.
Bill
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And the end of the fight is a tombstone white, With the name of the late deceased, And the epitaph drear, "A fool lies here, Who tried to hustle the East."
RE: yet another RIP post... (in reply to BarkellWH)
The first song I ever heard by Chuck Berry was his version of Bartholomew's "My ding a ling". I think it was already well in the 70s when he recorded it. The tune was catchy, and my 8-year old mind didn't catch on to the double entendre. So I sang and sang until my heart was content. It was years later that I realized I had been singing a dick song. It didn't really matter since there weren't many people around that actually understood English. I still kind of hope that maybe at least once I might have shocked some English-speaking tourist surprised to hear a French kid singing about playing with his ding a ling.
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"Anything you do can be fixed. What you cannot fix is the perfection of a blank page. What you cannot fix is that pristine, unsullied whiteness of a screen or a page with nothing on it—because there’s nothing there to fix."
There are so many stories about him. My fondest is when Glitter Twin Keith Richards came up behind Chuck Berry and tapped him on the shoulder a little too hard. Chuck coldcocked Richards. He explained Berry had recently been released form prison and it was an adapted reaction. Richards went on to say he was surprised he wasn't knocked out. But, no hard feelings. They remained close friends.
RE: yet another RIP post... (in reply to SephardRick)
So long Maestro Holdsworth.
_____________________________
"Anything you do can be fixed. What you cannot fix is the perfection of a blank page. What you cannot fix is that pristine, unsullied whiteness of a screen or a page with nothing on it—because there’s nothing there to fix."
RE: yet another RIP post... (in reply to SephardRick)
quote:
I still love listening to his solo on "Hurdy Gurdy Man"
I see, you're on that side of the debate on who actually played the electric guitar on that track! I'm on the side of those who say it was Jimmy Page. Donovan has credited both for the song at different times... But apparently there is also a third more likely contender, whose name I forget, an uncredited studio artist if I remember correctly. But, well, if the people who were actually there don't even remember who it was, it'll probably never be settled.
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"Anything you do can be fixed. What you cannot fix is the perfection of a blank page. What you cannot fix is that pristine, unsullied whiteness of a screen or a page with nothing on it—because there’s nothing there to fix."
I think back when the song came out. Everyone in my local guitar community were saying "Oh, yeah! That's Clapton on the solo." Personally, I didn't buy it. Whoever the soloist was, really had a good feel for the song and got the most out of each note. Because of that I assumed it might be George Harrison or Jeff Beck. That is until Donovan threw out some names. But, go figure.
But, poor Alan never got the recognition he deserves here in the States - even in the fusion circles, IMHO. So, I'll give him a thumbs-up on the Hurdy-Gurdy solo.
RE: yet another RIP post... (in reply to SephardRick)
quote:
But, poor Alan never got the recognition he deserves
Agreed. The man really was a musical genius. I tried incorporating some aspects of his playing to mine but his extended use of legato makes it almost impossible to use on accoustic guitar. But beyond the technical aspects, it's really how he managed to create smooth melodic lines over complex structures that stands out. Analyzing some of his pieces may just be one of the most useful things I've done to enhance my understanding of music theory.
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"Anything you do can be fixed. What you cannot fix is the perfection of a blank page. What you cannot fix is that pristine, unsullied whiteness of a screen or a page with nothing on it—because there’s nothing there to fix."