Leonard Cohen: The Poet Voice for the Ages

There are times when I am happy to have been born and raised in the Caribbean because when I come across music that I have never heard, I feel like those treasure hunters who have discovered some pertinent clue leading to the fabled city of El Dorado. I can distinctly remember when I first heard Leonard Cohen; I happened to be surfing the Tele channels and this unique voice on PBS caused me to have that elephant pregnant pause and listen and admire.

Cohen’s mellifluous voice and even more compelling lyrics have made me an avid fan since. Those who read this blog know that Prince is my favorite artist, but I have this ongoing debate with myself if Leonard Cohen, Van Morrison, or the late Michael Hutchence of INXS is my second favorite. I am now giving Mr. Cohen “props” because a couple days ago he was inducted into the Song Writers Hall of Fame, right here in New York - Judy Collins who made his song “Suzanne” famous did the honors.

To those who I have been around who know Leonard Cohen’s work used to look at me strange because I marveled at Cohen’s voice until they realized that I had recently been exposed to his Art. Since my discovery of Cohen, I have been recruiting new ears to hear this man’s voice and poetry: I have convinced my father… then my mother, but then it took me over a decade to get my brother. I played him Cohen’s original version of “Hallelujah” and he has been a fan since – my younger sisters on the other hand are tougher nuts to crack, but I will get them.

Listen to Cohen’s live version of “Bird On A Wire”… and tell you are not moved or listen to the lyrics of his song, “Democracy;” there are couplets in there can rival anything that has gone by or anything we have now.

I could write a dissertation on Cohen and forever listen to that voice, who he said, in one of his songs, was given to him by twenty seven angels – indeed! During Cohen’s induction, Taylor Swift was also honored as an up and coming song writer. I digress to say that I also give Mr. Cohen props for once being the companion of the actress Rebecca De Mornay.  It is said in the Good Book to give honor to whom honor is due – honor welcomes you Mr. Cohen. Mr. Cohen is now seventy five and I have yet to see him live in concert… I hope I do.