Came so far for beauty- a Leonard Cohen appeciation thread

[elie]

Being a long time L.Cohen fan, I just had to share this (and hope to get some views from other Ledgies )

I don't know if anybody saw it, there is a 2005 documentary film called "I'm your man", that was mostly based on a Leonard Cohen tribute concert under the title "Came so far for beauty" and featuring (among others) Rufus and Martha Wainright, Nick Cave, Anthony &the Johnsons etc.

I have been in love with Leonard Cohen's songs forever - well, since my mom bought his "Greatest Hits" album when I was about 12 and listened to it all day long. I have probably listened to "Suzanne" a million times in my life (literally) and I still keep wondering how in the world can someone write like that.

I liked the film a lot (even though it is not a proper documentary- the interview parts are interesting, but if you're already a fan there's not a lot of unheard or surprising stuff).

However the concert footage is great, I loved most of the renditions of the songs. And oh, please, check out Nick Cave's version of "Suzanne"- I literally gasped when it came on.

[ELIUD]

I love Leonard Cohen too, but sadly I am barely acquainted with his full catalog of music. It wasn't until I saw "Natural Born Killers", which featured three of his songs from the album "The Future", that I even knew who he was. After I saw the film, I bought his CD three times for myself and then as gifts for friends. They all raved about it. His poetry and his songs are brilliant and moving. I've downloaded several other songs of his from iTunes and will probably rent the documentary when it comes out.