Not really believe in this holiday, "Valentine's Day", but someone he loves and honors. I will not do today on this post with the legends about him and a postcard, just want to write about my favorite singer LEONARD COHEN - SINGER OF LOVE AND HATE!
Patriarch of folk-rock, Leonard Cohen was born ten years earlier than the Beatles or the participants Rolling Stones, and was a year older than Elvis Presley. But the music came much later his contemporaries. He made his debut as a musician by 35 years of age, firing at this time several novels and collections of poetry and earned a strong literary name. Equally solid reputation of composer and singer Leonard Cohen dalas easily. By the end of the 60's he was one of the most interesting, original and to the same artists have succeeded. Since then, these forty years in the army of his fans are not reduced, but critics have long lost interest in most performers of his generation, continue to lavish him with their compliments.
family lived in prosperity and comfort, his father, an engineer by profession, successfully engaged in trade of finished clothing. He died when Leonard was only 9 years old. Parents are encouraged to drag the boy from infancy and welcomed any attempt to express themselves. At age 13, to impress the girl, he first picked up a guitar, but after two years already played so well, I could speak in local cafes. At age 15 he discovered the English poet Garcia Lorca, who struck his fancy. For a diploma of higher education Leonard went to England. Orient quickly, he immediately assembled a trio of country music, which was called Buckskin Boys. In parallel, began writing poetry voraciously and became its man in a local poetic bohemia. Although his success in the McGill University have been quite moderate, in the penultimate year he won McNaughton Prize in creative writing. And a year later, in 1956, released his first poetry collection "Let Us Compare Mythologies". The attention of critics Cohen, then still a university student, did not remain deprived. After a brief attempts to learn something from Columbia University, he received a literary grant and was able to get away from North America.
Cohen traveled all over Europe and found refuge on the Greek island of Hydra. Here he held with few interruptions for almost seven years, sharing the shelter with his girlfriend Marianne Jensen (Marianne Jensen) and her son. The second book of poems "The Spice Box of Earth" (1961) glorified his name in literary circles of English-speaking world. Leonard tried, though without much success, to join the family business, but most of the time gave his time to writing. His publications have been popular enough to generate a modest income. In view of literary grants and received an inheritance from his father Cohen could lead quite a comfortable life. Not only comfortable but also quite free. He often changed girlfriends, experimented with LSD (when the drug was not banned) and then traveled around the world. His bizarre antics have been known In Canada no less, and perhaps even more than his poetry. In the light of future recognition in the neighboring United States, all this only played into his hands.
From small forms of Leonard Cohen moved to bigger and in 1963 released his first novel, "The Favorite Game", and three years later a second, which was called "Beautiful Losers". Between them, the 64-m appeared yet another collection of poems "Flowers for Hilter", awarded literary prize Quebec. Cohen's prose earned him international recognition. Magazine "Boston Globe" on publication of the second novel responded to the reviews, full dithyrambs: "James Joyce is not dead - claimed to critical acclaim. - He lives in Montreal and the name to Leonard Cohen. " To date, every one of his novels sold over 800,000 copies.
By this time, demand began to enjoy considerable and his songs, which he has not stopped writing for fifteen years. Cohen had already managed to start a family, decided to direct their own destiny in a very different channel. He returned to the United States and settled in Nashville. Bring it to a new career - music - has helped to orbit the star of folk-rock 60's Judy Collins (Judy Collins). For his 1966 album "In My Life", she recorded two of his songs, "Suzanne" and "Dress Rehearsal Rag". The song "Suzanne" was incredibly popular and long settled the radio was left to the same one of the most famous hits in his career Collins. This has given himself a musician determined to try their hand on stage, good acquaintances among the folk singers he already had plenty and the living artistic world he knew.
Cohen made his stage debut in the summer of 1967. His first students were guests of the folk festival in Newport. He struck the audience on the spot. The indelible impression made his statement, and John Hammond (John Hammond), label manager of Columbia, who once made the location of Billie Holiday (Billie Holiday), Bob Dylan (Bob Dylan) and Bruce Springsteen (Bruce Springsteen), who are wards Columbia. When a couple of months, Cohen an opportunity to give two concerts in New York, all tickets were sold out in advance. TV show "Camera Three" on CBS has provided Leonard Cohen's ether not only for the execution of his songs, but also for reading poetry. Meanwhile, a new version of "Suzanne", which recorded the actor and singer Noel Harrison (Noel Harrison), rose again in the pop charts.
As events unfolded further, it is easy to guess. Having signed a contract with Columbia Records, in early 1968 prepared a musician debut plate with the modest title "The Songs of Leonard Cohen". Despite the rather modest producing and not very cheerful mood songs (or maybe precisely because of soft and melancholy notes of confessional), the album off the bat was hit in the folk commune. Within months of its circulation exceeded 100,000 copies, for a debut and even in the genre of folk-rock was a major achievement. The author of such wonderful songs as "Hey That's No Way To Say Goodbye", "Suzanne", "So Long, Marianne" and "Sisters of Mercy", Cohen is automatically fell into the pantheon of the most sincere and confessional authors 60.
second album "Songs From a Room" (1969) was filled with the same melancholic mood, but it took much cooler, including criticism. Two tracks from that album, "Bird on a Wire" and "The Story of Isaac", acquired yet more popular, surviving in the music as pop standards. As part of the promotional tour musician has visited several European festivals, and on arrival in the U.S. learned that he received an honorary doctorate in a U.S. university.
Third Long-play "Songs of Love and Hate" (1971) has caused the general public has less interest, although it had been presented как минимум две хитовые композиции: "Joan of Arc" и "Famous Blue Raincoat". Продюсер Боб Джонстон (Bob Johnston) не перегружал саунд, предоставляя голосу Леонарда свободно вести рассказ to the accompaniment of acoustic guitar, to which occasionally joined by quiet strings and a children's choir.
Meanwhile fanovskaya supporting actor acquired religious traits. Among the most ardent of his fans and was directed by Robert Altman (Robert Altman). His 1971 film "McCabe and Mrs. Miller "so richly filled with music of Cohen, that it can be regarded as the first full-length videos for the songs of composer and singer.
Although the vocal abilities of Leonard Cohen immediately began sighting target for acute critical pins, he remained a favorite and very popular artist. In the footsteps of his many live performances in 1973 was published live album "Leonard Cohen: Live Songs". In addition to fully anticipated live versions of his songs, the record included an amazing 14-minute improvisation, entitled "Please Don't Pass Me By".
Then his unusual artistic biography is so captivated the imagination of the playwright Jean Lesser (Gene Lesser), that he created her stage version of the in theatrical production "Sisters of Mercy" (under the name of one of the songs). Cohen's life events, however, have been rethinking the Free, so get the product, they say, in explanation.
Three years separated "Songs of Love and Hate" on the next album "New Skin for the Old Ceremony" (1974). The music press and the many fans of the artist must had to recognize that the pause went to his advantage. The new songs dominated by depressive moods and gloomy landscapes, but it's nice updated and changed the language itself, which Cohen expresses his feelings. What is particularly pleasing to the sound of the album (thanks to producer John Lisso (John Lissauer)) - is the colorful part of live instruments: mandolin, banzhdo, percussion and violin. With the addition of several back-up singers sounded textured songs like never before. Among the traditional stories of love was on the disk and metaphorical Chronicle relationship with Cohen, Janis Joplin (Janis Joplin) ("Chelsea Hotel No. 2").
In 1975, the company Columbia Records produced a greatest hits album "The Best of Leonard Cohen". And only two years later they recorded a new album "Death of a Ladies' Man". This album, the most curious and controversial career Cohen, produced by living hermit renowned producer Phil Spector (Phil Spector). All songs are penned together for three weeks. From the overlay of these two temperaments to get too gloomy minor, depressive writing, with overloaded sound, which is so strikingly contrasted with the elegant arrangements of Cohen's previous works. The musician called "Death of a Ladies' Man" a disaster, especially the vocals, though, because as we approach the finale of his all reluctant to allow the work. Final by reducing the record Phil Spector decided to study independently, alone in the studio, where the guards did not let absolutely anyone. Mass audience remained the album is completely indifferent, "Death of a Ladies' Man" not a single day spent in the charts
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This could not affect the creative productivity of the composer. After a rather sluggish reception next release "Recent Songs" (1979), he paused for a full six years. With regard to "Recent Songs", it was another zigzag in his career: a new producer Henry Lewy (Henry Lewy), who previously worked with Joni Mitchell (Joni Mitchell), an updated sound, more delicate and flavorful, and among the new topics first appeared religion. 1980-the year the musician spent most of the road, traveled to the concert the United States and Europe, the second visit to Israel and for the first time - Australia.
Only 85-m Cohen released a selection of new and strong enough, the songs "Various Positions". Concerned about issues of religion and belief, he created a few tracks, which were perceived as modern hymns: "Hallelujah" and "The Law", "Heart With No Companion" and "If It Be Your Will". Work on them dalas musician is very difficult. An attempt to precisely convey their spiritual seeking, in his words, wrung from him all power. All this, however, little touched by the audience. Cohen's literary affairs in the meantime moved quite well. In 1984, He has published a new poetry books "Book ° F Mercy", and 85-m Israeli literary prize awarded Literary Award for Poetry. Organizers of the Canadian Juno Awards ceremony named the winner Award for Best Screenplay (for the musical "Night Magic").
Cohen could not boast of great appeal as a performer, his vocal data clearly lost on the background is not even the most talented of his colleagues. But as the songwriter he remains inimitable. That could easily prove the singer Uornz Jennifer (Jennifer Warnes), which in 1987 recorded cover versions of Cohen's best songs, combining them on the album "Famous Blue Raincoat". In it an attractive interpretation of song composer sounded bright and intriguing, and the disc "Famous Blue Raincoat" bought up very well. Forgetful public once again reminded that goes under the name Leonard Cohen.
A year and a musician himself reminded of his new Long pleem "I'm Your Man" (1988). Drive carefully distinguished finishes and abundant in the brand of black humor. Under accompaniment pessimistic tones Cohen sensibly presents his fanciful, full of unexpected images of poetic history. Fans rewarded artist as we could - this album has become one of the best selling of his career. The greatest activity was shown by European music lovers. In several countries in Europe LP "I'm Your Man "became a number one hit in the charts. The musician was awarded the Crystal Globe award for the five millionth edition of the album outside the U.S.. In 1991 Juno Awards ceremony in Canada call it the best composer of the year, and his name appears in the Hall of Fame Juno.
pauses between releases nevertheless remained impressive. Exactingness Cohen and creative delicacy made him years to achieve ideal results. Only four years later the musician decided to publish a new album "The Future" (1992), which has emphasized on numerous issues awaiting mankind in the coming years and decades. He himself called this work geopolitical manifesto. Two tunes, "The Future" and "Anthem", heard in the movie "Natural Born Killers". Long-stop "zahazhivat" in the pop charts and not representing any interest for Bosses MTV, Cohen, nonetheless caused enough attention from the music press to his loyal fans have not missed a novelty and provided drive relatively decent level of sales. At the same level of interest is preserved and a new live album, released in 1994.
not more than будет отметить, что пока артист отмалчивался, полируя до блеска свои новые записи, его коллеги по цеху не дремали. Под сильнейшим влиянием Коэна выросло уже more than one generation of fine musicians. Neil Diamond (Neil Diamond), Nick Cave (Nick Cave), Diana Ross (Diana Ross), Joan Baez (Joan Baez), Rita Coolidge (Rita Coolidge), Joe Cocker (Joe Cocker) recorded a cover version its tracks, which with their filing appeared regularly on radio and television. It is not surprising that in 1992 the Christian Fevre (Christian Fevret), editor of the famous French rock magazine "Les Inrockuptibles", set about trying to create a tribute to Leonard Cohen. The album "I'm Your Fan" included 18 of his compositions, dubbed REM, John Keil (John Cale), Nick Cave, Ian McCulloch (Ian McCulloch), The Pixies, House of Love, Lloyd Cole (Lloyd Cole).
completed the tour in support of the release of "The Future", in 1993, 60-year-old musician takes the eccentric (to an outsider opinion) step - for a few years removed from around the world in the California center of Zen Buddhism. He was brought here many years of spiritual quest, which from an early age gave him no peace. The center was constructed in the image of this monastery and its inhabitants were almost monastic life. Meanwhile, the public was presented second in career musician live album "Cohen Live" (1994), and then another collection of the best tracks "More Best of Leonard Cohen" (1997).
In January 1999, Cohen felt that the era of extreme Buddhism in his life has run its course. He settled in Los Angeles and started slowly, but inevitably return to music. Working on new songs, he visits India, where he finds and musical, and literary inspiration. About Leonard Cohen again speaking in 2001, when the lights went out live album with old materials, "Field Commander Cohen - Tour of 1979". And in October, after nine years of silence, the musicians presented a new studio work "Ten New Songs". It was one of the rare in his biography of experiments working with other musicians. Co-author of many songs performed Sharon Robinson (Sharon Robinson), and producing records, he confided LeAnn Ungar (Leanne Ungar). This tandem assistants Cohen was very pleased. In 2002, many of the most popular of his songs, having digitally remastered, have been published in DVD format on the compilation "The Essential Leonard Cohen".
noteworthy that, moving away from music for almost a decade, Cohen has always gave vent to his new impression and reflection in literary works. In 1993 the band released one more of his poetry including "Stranger Music", the most complete selection of the best poetry and song texts. New and old poems, written in a Zen center in India, on the Greek island of Hydra, and in Los Angeles, awaiting publication. The book is called "Book of Longing".
Following a nationwide pigs, conducted in Canada on the eve of the 21 st century, Leonard Cohen was the third among the most influential Canadians in the arts. Actor did not hide the fact that it is certainly very nice, and even touching, but he was a little awkward. "Speaking frankly, - acknowledged Leonard Cohen - I am embarrassed most of all, what I wrote. I feel that my work is sometimes too sentimental. I wish that it was smaller. Above that I now work ... "
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