I suppose it's sreally very subjective and it's also generational. I have
memories of, and strong reactions to songs that were popular during World
War 2 like, "I'll Be Seeing You", and I was just a child back then. But
somehow, the aching longing, the romanticism of that song, and the lovely
melody, really got through to me. There is a book on BARD, a book that the
NYT recommended, called The American Songbook, I think, and it describes how
popular music changed over the years, particularly after the mid 50's. Songs
with romance, which told a story, changed to novelty songs like, "Come On To
My House". And then, later, the whole sound changed. I was so focused on
what I was doing in my life in the seventies that I don't believe I listened
to current popular music at all. I did listen to my folk music, but it was
recorded in the past. I began listening to music in the 90's, but it was
music from the Broadway theater, or on records that friends had. In the
60's, I liked, "Hey Jude", but none of their other songs stayed with me. We
can live our lives with whole pieces of reality passing right by us without
our awareness.
Miriam
-----Original Message-----
From: blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Carl Jarvis
Sent: Wednesday, October 19, 2016 10:17 AM
To: blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [blind-democracy] Re: Leonard Cohen
Explain? Probably not. It's a combination of things, so it can't be pinned
down to one reason or another. In fact, it belies reason.
Cathy and I have a wide range of similar likes, when it comes to music, but
she can't stand three of my favorites...Frankie, Johnny and Pete. It's a
good thing we agree on Moody Blues, or it could lead to Musical War! Cathy
does not want Leonard Cohen anywhere near our house...or our county, for
that matter. I tried bringing him in through my computer yesterday and she
lit up the room. And I don't mean with happiness and joy.
I suppose, since I hadn't thought about Cohen for many years, that his
music...such as his voice goes, came to me during my rebellious youth, as
opposed to my rebellious Senior Years.
My first wife and I were married in 1960. Her idea of good music was mostly
light country and Christian. Now that was some of the most mournful sound
that ever dribbled out of a loud speaker. "I thought we were supposed to
make a joyful noise unto the Lord", I would say, trying to tune to some
"real" music. But seriously, she tolerated my tunes, so I kept
quiet...mostly, when she reached the radio first. We were both driven away
from the radio by too many commercials, and mostly played the Hi-Fi.
My second wife turned me on to Moody Blues, and we both liked Bob Dylan. I
liked the wild sound of Janice Joplin, and Trish preferred the gentle sound
of the Rolling Stones...yuk!
Cathy was raised on the Beetles, along with her dad's love of Country music.
Her tunes to remember and dream to were all in the late 60's and 70's. Our
first concert together was Neil Diamond. Along with Barbara "Barbra"
Streisand, this represented "her kind of music".
Actually, I could do much worse that to kick back with the likes of Neil and
Barbra. Heavy Metal and I never got together, as well as much modern Jazz,
not to mention much of the New Classical noise.
While I can appreciate the lyrics and pain of Rappers, I trip over my own
feet in my rush to shut the Damn stuff off. I can get lost in the old
classical works, while Cathy leaves the room.
She was a very above average violinist during her years in high school,
playing mostly the big show tunes and light classics of the day(she
graduated in 1970).
She still has her violin, but hasn't touched it since leaving school.
From time to time I break out my trusty old Autoharp and strum a few long
forgotten tunes, or grab my dad's old harmonica and do a better
job. My grandad Jarvis used to have a band, and he composed some
sweet tunes that my dad handed down to me. Anyway, not having really
answered your question, I can only say that there is something in Leonard
Cohen's delivery that draws me in. I think it's a mistake to try to analyze
that which moves our Soul. Just kick back and let it suck the evil from
your body, and let new life flow in.
Wise words from Profit Carl Jarvis
On 10/18/16, Miriam Vieni <miriamvieni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Well, maybe you could explain to me what draws you to his music? I
think it's weird. I mean, it isn't melodic. I have to admit, I prefer
Johnny Cash or Frank Sinatra, or Pete Seeger, yes, Pete Seeger!
Miriam
-----Original Message-----
From: blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Carl Jarvis
Sent: Tuesday, October 18, 2016 9:34 PM
To: blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [blind-democracy] Re: Leonard Cohen
This is cool. I am writing while Leonard Kohen is "singing?" in the
background. Something still draws me to his music. But then I'm a
true blue Bob Dylan fan, too.
Still and all, give me the Moody Blues over them all.
Carl Jarvis
On 10/18/16, Miriam Vieni <miriamvieni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
All you need to do is google what I googled which was Leonard Cohen'smentioned.
music And I got a whole bunch of song titles and You Tube links. I'd
forgotten the names of the songs but Google knew. It's terrifying!
Miriam
-----Original Message-----
From: blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Roger ;
Loran Bailey (Redacted sender "rogerbailey81" for DMARC)
Sent: Tuesday, October 18, 2016 8:30 PM
To: blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [blind-democracy] Re: Leonard Cohen
I don't know that I know that kind of music. The name sounds only
vaguely familiar to me. You might provide a link to the examples you
On 10/18/2016 6:35 PM, Miriam Vieni wrote:
Any of you guys know of a song writer and performer named Leonard Cohen?music
He's about 83 years old and there was a long article about him in
the Audible October 17th edition of The New Yorker that is on BARD.
I never heard of him, but the article was fascinating so I found
some of his
on the web. His big song is Hallelulia. There's another one, Dance Mepoetry, except they're a bit more lyrical.
To
Love. It's the stranges stuff I've ever heard. I mean it's poetry
sung to two or three notes by someone who, as far as I'm concerned,
doesn't have a singing voice. But I'm old and my taste in music is
very strange and
speicific: old classical, big band music, romantic ballads, folk
music, country music, old fashioned negro spirituals, (that's what
they're called), almost nothing popular written after Slow Boat To
China. David Remnick, who wrote the article on Leonard Cohen, also
has one on Bob Dillon and his prize for literature. His article is
on the web with links to a number of Dillon's songs on You Tube. I
listened to a few with which I'm unfamiliar. Like Cohen's, they're
like complicated
So Bob, Roger, you people who know this kind of music, what are your
thoughts?
Miriam .
