Tonight I finally saw the documentary “Leonard Cohen: I’m Your Man.” Various singers perform songs by Leonard Cohen, who is shown in snippets, talking about his life and his music.
I revere Leonard Cohen, but he managed to annoy me. Rufus Wainwright was pretty good, Nick Cave was forgettable, but a singer called Antony was a mind blower.
What an amazing voice! It has been compared to Nina Simone, but it’s nothing like anything I’ve ever heard. Check out his performance here. (If you can do without the Goth androgyny and awkward body language, just close your eyes.)
Ohhhh, Leonard! He’s one of my absolute faves. Also, he writes dirty books.
Haven’t seen documentary this yet. As far as Antony — voice is incredible, truly, but for whatever reason he annoys the hell out of me. I had the first Antony & The Johnsons album — all the critics went bat shit for it. I sold it. Maybe I’m missing something?
Sorry Tobi Lynne, gotta say Antony’s the bees knees for mee. One of those definitive either/or people, and I adore what he does with Joan as Police Woman (with whom he’s worked tons – check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gO1f_2R3Eyo
And sister, highlight of the summer in an acoustic wonderland called the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, was Leonard in June. Check out this post from my buddy Bock. I’d have given old Lenny one my straight self. ‘I last played Ireland fifteen years ago. A kid of sixty with a crazy dream.’
Without doubt, the crowning moment of a king shitter summer 08 was this: http://bocktherobber.com/2008/06/leonard-cohen-in-dublin-2
I love Antony!
Tobi Lynne -Maybe if I heard a whole album, I’d get sick of Antony. So far, I’m still infatuated. Re Leonard Cohen…last night I was able to conjure up some of Beautiful Losers, after a billion years!
Nick -Thanks for the links. The videos + review of Leonard in Ireland gave me chills from head to toes!
Mark -Really?! Why haven’t you told me about him?!
Antony and the Johnsons are great for long car trips when you’re feeling depressed and want to wallow in it for a while. His voice is like liquid.
YES, exactly!
People ruin leonard cohen for me all the time, so I better not watch and let him ruin him for me.
He should not perform live. He’s spastic when he’s performing. But you were right, when I closed my eyes he was amazing.