Leonard Cohen blog-a-thon!

Here it is: the mini-blog-a-thon in honor of the  film, Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man, and all his songs, poetry, and writing.  Please feel free to comment on all things Leonard Cohen!  Joining us in this discussion throughout today and tomorrow are a few of my favorite bloggers:

Zach Campbell at Elusive Lucidity
Michael Guillen at The Evening Class
Girish Shambu

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You cannot tell the audience everything you know about love in every line of love you speak.   - Leonard Cohen, How to Speak Poetry

1).

On Wed., June 21, I attended the NY opening of Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man, and from the very beginning I felt that seeing this documentary was similar to being a fly on the wall of a Shakespearean theater from centuries ago, where the performers might discuss the playwright/poet's influence or their impressions of him, where they would act out scenes from his works, and between this drama and reflection, Shakespeare himself would appear, revealing fragments of his life!

There is no more stage.  There are no more footlights.  You are among the people.  Then be modest.  Speak the words, convey the data, step aside.

2).

It's true.  The doc captures footage from the collaborative tribute "Came So Far for Beauty," but interwoven throughout the concert are direct excerpts from interviews with Leonard Cohen, as well as archival film and photography.  The filmmaker, Lian Lunson, gets it! The essence of her long talks with L.C., who became a friend, are what remain on screen.  I must confess that it was a little like hearing the Dalai Lama speak in Central Park!   

Leonard Cohen's participation in this kind of documentary, with numerous artists and personal expressions, is a gesture of inclusiveness and grace. If there is no more stage, then maybe it's fair to conclude that the composition of this doc is how he wanted it to be.  With so many spirits participating along with L.C., there was the irreplaceable quality of surprise.  The film breathed with life. Antony Hagerty's performance of "If It Be Your Will" caused the audience at Film Forum to applaud right there in the theater . . . and this is NY!

This is an interior landscape.  It is inside.  It is private.  Respect the privacy of the material.  These pieces were written in silence.

3).

The documentary is a poem.  Try to approach the film as a reader.  See the invisible.  Leonard Cohen is in every frame! I will not tell you what he says and does in this film.  I think that it is important for you to experience this in your own way.  If you are already a fan, you've probably been waiting forever for his public appearance of some nature.  I know that I have!  I've spent a long time studying his poems late into the night (10,000 nights for me too!) so much that I feel that Leonard Cohen is the one who taught me how to write. 

Still, L.C. is enshrouded in mystery.  One of my friends and I were trying to describe what we loved about his songs and poetry.  We concluded that L.C. captures his prayers and sensuality in a way that is honest and practically stripped of ego.  How can he write poems where he isn't necessarily the hero?!  There were ideas revealed in this film that I still do not understand yet.  But this is the Leonard Cohen film I wanted.  I found what I was looking for, but it will take years for me to know fully what it means . . .

Avoid the flourish.  Do not be afraid to be weak.  Do not be ashamed to be tired.  You look good when you're tired.  You look like you could go on forever.

4).

This is the hardest part.  If the poem is data, then how do we not become entranced with our own illusions, our own myopic desires, our own attachment to an idealistic portrait of ourselves?  I think that Leonard Cohen's genius is that he writes from a perspective where he can address his experiences with an almost impossible honesty. 

That's the man, Leonard Cohen. 

(Note:  I wrote a blog post about L.C. in January.  I'm afraid to go back and read it now, but if you are interested, please review it here.)

Comments

[jmac]

"I will now retire to the green room and the fortification of a drink in order to cope with the inevitable moral pneumonia that always follows a blizzard of praise." -- Leonard Cohen to a live audience at Hollywood's John Ford Anson theatre on Saturday night (6.24), prior to an L.A. Film Festival screening of Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man.

(Thanks to David Hudson for this one!)

[Marina]

This is a wonderful theme for a blog-a-thone!

Now, while listening to 'Anthem', I noticed something... Doesn't the way L.C. pronounces 'Forget you PERFECT OFFERINGS' sound a bit like the Phantom's voice in Joel Schumacher's 'The Phantom of the Opera'?Or is it just me...

[jmac]

Thanks, Marina! I'm sorry I'm not familiar with the pitches of Anthem or Phantom of the Opera. Although, Leonard Cohen certainly has a voice with texture . . .

:)

[Marina]

Yes, he most certainly has! That is why, I found it strange...

But he also has lyrics with texture.:)

[girish]

"See the invisible. Leonard Cohen is in every frame!"

J. ~ Beautifully put.

I can't wait to see this movie.
I really enjoyed your post.

[jmac]

Thanks, G! I'm glad that you provided the songs for this blog-a-thon!

[Maya]

I'm late but I'm on my way!!

[jmac]

Maya, I'm waiting . . .

:) Just kidding. Take your time!

[Maya]

Finally!! It's up. With more to follow. Thanks for hosting, Jennifer.

[HarryTuttle]

Great blogathon idea and great reading! Thanks a lot.
I hope I can get to see this documentary soon. I also should seek out for cohen's literature as I only know his music work.
I joined the tribute ceremony, I hope it isn't too late...

[jmac]

Harry, you are the best! I was happy to find "Famous Blue Raincoat" on your site. This is a very inspiring song for me . . .

[Maya]

A dude named Dan shared this with me over at The Evening Class and I thought you should definitely know about it here.

http://myoldkyhome.blogspot.com/2006/05/hallelujah.html

[jmac]

OMG, so many versions of Hallelujah! I think that Leonard Cohen mentioned (in one of his books) that it took 3 years to write that song!

[LiAN LUNSON]

This looks like a really cool blog.
So I wanted to drop in and say thank you.
And thank you to everyone who is turning out to see the film.
Thank you Jennifer, for getting it.
Lian x

[jmac]

Lian, it is so nice to hear from you. Your film is beautiful! And so is Leonard Cohen. . . Thank you! xoxo

[albert alcoz]

I'd like to know how many peolpe have recorded a cover of "Suzanne". The other day I listened for the first time a version in my own language (catalan) from the early seventies by Toti Soler.
Rem used the song in the record Up, haven't they?

[jmac]

Albert, this is news to me. :) "Suzanne' is my favorite! I haven't heard many covers. Do you know the album, "I'm Your Fan"? I think that REM produced it . . . here's the link on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000002ISX/104-3066326-9511959?v=glance&n=5174

[ben Kauffman]

Can someone help me figure out some of the first lines of the movie. It is right after Nick Caves performance at the very beginning, and LC starts to recite some poetry I think. It might be lyrics. Its beautiful, and it ends with something like, "each time you love someone, snowflakes are being taken away from your heart," or something to do with snowflakes. Does anyone know where this is from (book, album), or where I can find the whole quote. Thanks!!

[jmac]

Ben, that particular sentence is so beautiful. I don't know if it has been published, but have you tried the Book of Longing? Leonard Cohen's new book? Although, I did take notes at the screening . . .

"Grab at love, you will lose a snowflake of your memory."

[ben Kauffman]

Thanks so much! Do you have notes on the whole stanza by any chance? I think its maybe 5-7 lines or something?

[jmac]

Hey Ben,

I did not write down anything else from that passage. It was hard to take notes inside the theater. :) The director, Lian Lunson, has a blog. Maybe she could find out for you?

[Zeynep]

I know this is a very late response but here you go:

"The gifts were many and many were the warnings that went with them. We are giving you a great heart but if you drink wine you will begin to hate the world. The moon is your sister but if you take sleeping pills you will find yourself in the company of unhappy women.
Everytime you grab at love, you will lose a snowflake of your memory."
"

[Karen L. Havens]

As a huge fan of L.C., thought my blog might be fun:

http://heliotropes.blogspot.com/

Best,

Karen L. Havens

[crowgirl]

i know leonar from a intervew with lauri ylonen he sayd he listen to his songs and then i listened too!i think he is great and lovely thank you leonard we love you!

[Sam]

A new Irish band that remind me of Cohen, you should have a listen, they are called 'The Figurines'. www.myspace.com/thefigurinesire