Leonard Cohen

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Biography

Montréal, Quebec, Canada (1934 – present)

Leonard Cohen (b. 21st September 1934 in Montréal, Quebec, Canada) is a , and musician. His musical career has largely overshadowed his prior work as a poet and novelist, although he continued to publish poetry sporadically after his breakthrough in the music industry.

Musically, Cohen’s early songs are based in folk music, in terms of both melody and instrumentation; from the 1970s, though, his work begins to show the influence of various types of popular and cabaret music. Since the 1980s he has typically sung in a deep bass register, accompanied by synthesisers and female backing vocals.

Despite not embarking on a tour since 1993, Cohen was forced to go on the road in 2008, following the alleged misappropriation of over five million U.S. dollars from his retirement by his longtime former manager, Kelley Lynch. This left him close to bankruptcy, and Cohen’s mammoth world tour lasted two and a half years and included 246 shows.

Cohen’s songs are often emotionally heavy and lyrically complex, owing more to the metaphoric word play of poetry than to established conventions of songcraft. His work often explores the themes of religion, isolation, and complex interpersonal relationships.

Cohen’s music has greatly influenced other singer-songwriters, and more than a thousand cover versions of his works have been recorded. He is also popular in his native land, having been inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and awarded the Order of Canada, the nation’s highest civilian honour.
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  • Justaa

    I am totally in love with him!

    24 May 11:01am Reply

  • TheGreatChupon

    If one can live to be 78 and say such things with what sounds so like total sincerity, well, I guess this life trip needn't necessarily be quite so horrid after all.

    23 May 5:26pm Reply

  • TheGreatChupon

    And he just seems to be such a genuinely warm-hearted, concerned and caring man. I've taken dearly to heart a recording of his Louisville show from a month and a half ago, and after the last song (a tremendous I Tried to Leave You), he bows off with the following valedictory: "Thanks so much, friends; drive carefully home. May you be surrounded by friends and family all the days of your life. If this is not your lot, may all the blessings find you in your solitude. Good night, dear friends, thank you so much!"

    23 May 4:43am Reply

  • gringo_

    see you in mannheim. :)

    15 May 2:29pm Reply

  • Lorantz

    I want to bathe in Leonard's voice - sexy, deep, dark and brooding.

    14 May 11:03pm Reply

  • TheGreatChupon

    Old Ideas is my favorite album of his too! There are a handful of earlier masterpieces and near-masterpieces, and there's probably one Leonard album I don't particularly enjoy, but I do consider Old Ideas his crowning achievement.

    14 May 2:14pm Reply

  • Ustareth

    I'm probably a minority in this, but I favor Old Ideas over his older work.

    13 May 3:10pm Reply

  • mcneilgrady

    Songs of Leonard Cohen - Songs Of Love And Hate - Songs From A Room - New Skin for the Old Ceremony :)

    12 May 9:13am Reply

  • adhisatyanugra

    My fav track are One of Us Can't be Wrong and Famous Blue Raincoat. So, which album should I start ? His Greatest Hits or Song of Leonard Cohen ? Thanks before.

    12 May 2:38am Reply

  • CainDavies

    I LOVE YOU

    10 May 11:38pm Reply

  • TheGreatChupon

    Ooh, that's exciting to hear; I've only just begun my exploration of Tom Waits.

    8 May 11:36pm Reply

  • Ustareth

    I don't know. I enjoy Cohen, but in terms of live production, I've always been partial to Tom Waits. There's a level of rawness in his lives that remains an indelible imprint in my ears.

    8 May 3:49am Reply

  • TheGreatChupon

    Also, if anyone's aware of a better live album than Live in London, please swing by my profile (or stay here, whichever you like) and let me know! I'd love to hear your favorites.

    6 May 9:30pm Reply

  • TheGreatChupon

    I wonder how good it feels to make your best album at 77. I could ask Leonard...

    6 May 9:24pm Reply

  • Loic-M

    Songs of Love and Hate is just a masterpiece, nothing less

    6 May 7:57pm Reply

  • TheGreatChupon

    He really is. Now that I've spent a fair amount of time with every album, I have no qualms whatsoever proclaiming him such!

    1 May 12:43pm Reply

  • zaz0

    It took me a long time to truly see the brilliance of Leonard Cohen, but good lord I see it now. A genuine genius.

    30 Apr 6:26pm Reply

  • TheGreatChupon

    But I'm stubborn as those garbage bags that time cannot decay!

    30 Apr 5:03pm Reply

  • TheComebackkit

    I smile when I'm angry I cheat and I lie I do what I have to do To get by

    30 Apr 1:41pm Reply

  • adhisatyanugra

    Came here because of Creston Spiers, Dax Riggs, and Joe Bonamassa. Greetings Sir.

    29 Apr 5:04pm Reply
    • All 1978 shouts

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