Any Leonard Cohen fans?

Anyone else watching him live in London on channel 4?
He still sends shivers down my spine. I just love his songs and poems.

Just gone in and mentioned it to my mother.....she has asked me to say a very big Thank you

Oh Yes!!!!!!!

Isn't he just great!!! I'm the same his words conjure up so many images, it's poetry

I love suzzane and Bird on a wire.

For those of you that don't know here are the words...wonderful poetry.

Like a bird on the wire,
like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way to be free.
Like a worm on a hook,
like a knight from some old fashioned book
I have saved all my ribbons for thee.
If I, if I have been unkind,
I hope that you can just let it go by.
If I, if I have been untrue
I hope you know it was never to you.
Like a baby, stillborn,
like a beast with his horn
I have torn everyone who reached out for me.
But I swear by this song
and by all that I have done wrong
I will make it all up to thee.
I saw a beggar leaning on his wooden crutch,
he said to me, "You must not ask for so much."
And a pretty woman leaning in her darkened door,
she cried to me, "Hey, why not ask for more?"

Oh like a bird on the wire,
like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way to be free.

Elaine xxx

I'm soooo glad I've found other fans. But he's on BBC 4 not channel 4.
OH came in looked at the TV and said when does it finish? Now he's taken himself off to work
Elaine, I totally agree with you about his use of images. His use of of language is touched with genius and he's always got something to say that's worth listening to.

yea , esp his religious imagery, he has a very singular view of his religion and was disalusioned (sp) by it. and you can tell by his lyrics.

Oh yea, I could talk about for ever. His voice makes me shiver....My son went to Glastonbury last year and saw him live...how cool is that!!!! wish I had been there.

Elaine xxx

I have always thought the verse

"Like a bird on the wire, like a drunk in a midnight choir I have tried in my way to be free." to be very poignant in it's imagery.

The bird on the wire is helpless and flutters about desperately in an attempt to shake itself free, likewise the drunk, helpless and reaching for something that will release him.

Our lives can seem as narrow and meaningless as that of the caged bird, so we turn to the bottle, religion or whatever to seek release.

Love can be the ultimate release, but even here the singer feels caught on the wire and torn everyone who reached out to him.

He seems forever like the bird fluttering on the wire trying to shake itself free and his plea to his love seems another instance of the drunk in the choir offering prayers for release...

A very beautiful, but sad song.

Sorry I do go on a bit

Elaine xxx

Its great to hear someone else 'going on' about him.
They're showing a film about him now and he's singing and talking about more of my favourites The Famous Blue Raincoat, the Partisan....
This is really cheering me up.

The thing I love about his work is its sheer honesty and the allusions and layers of meaning. Sometimes its like hearing someone express what I feel, but saying it so well.

Like Shakespeare he can show you a whole scene in one word?

I know exactly what you mean. I am watching the BBC 4 documentary
He is so reflective

The Partisan that was created when he had a bit of a breakdown wasn't it? love that song too!!!!

Thanks so much for that---I'd have missed it and been devestated.

Love him,I'd love to do a routine to one of his---maybe Dance Me to the End of Love.

For his fans---you'll probably like Rufus Wainwright as well.he says he was influenced by him.

I SO envy your son Elaine---I would have love to have seen him there. Lots of clips on u tube.

rune