Cool interview at Pitchfork with a guy who wrote a whole book on "Hallelujah":
http://pitchfork.com/features/paper-tra ... he-broken/

Not sure I'd want to read a whole book about one song, but the interview was sure interesting.

'Untertow' just came up on my iPod. Man those lyrics chill me every time.

I'm slowly becoming obsessed with this guy. Where's a good place to start? I just keep listening to the same songs over and over

Perfect collection, and clearly separates his two distinct eras.

That's what I'm working my way through - figured it would be a good spot. Thanks
His lyrics are really amazing <3

I came so far for beauty
I left so much behind
My patience and my family
My masterpiece unsigned
I thought I'd be rewarded
For such a lonely choice
And surely she would answer
To such a very hopeless voice

I practiced all my sainthood
I gave to one and all
But the rumours of my virtue
They moved her not at all
I changed my style to silver
I changed my clothed to black
And where I would surrender
Now I would attack

I stormed the old casino
For the money and the flesh
And I myself decided
What was rotten and what was fresh
And men to do my bidding
And broken bones to teach
The value of my pardon
The shadow of my reach

But no, I could not touch her
With such a heavy hand
Her star beyond my order
Her nakedness unmanned
I came so far for beauty
I left so much behind
My patience and my family
My masterpiece unsigned

I got real excited for a second because I thought Kevin Davis was posting again.

me too

Sorry to disappoint you boys

I think the Cohen thread on the old board talked about some of his live albums. Is there a good, better, best one to start with? What's your favorite live Cohen?

Start with "Live in London," bar none, no questions asked. Then follow up with "Songs From the Road."

His earlier ones all have their moments but there is a tremendous power to these two newest ones. The thunderous applause that erupts after Cohen sings the line "I was born with the gift of a golden voice" will just suck the air right out of your lungs.

the live albums really give a lot of those 80s and 90s songs new life. The live in london album really cemented that I was a fan

I was at that gig.

oh wow. What was that like?

My mom gave me Live in london, but i havent listened to it yet.

Awesome.

It was a great gig but had lots of folk out for their 1 gig every 5 years. I can remember at least twice some old hippy nanna near me shouted, I love you Leonard. It was both sweet and nauseating.

The gig was absolutely flawless and delivered in every way. The sound was maybe the best I'd heard at the O2 (on the floor near the desk). I don't think I could see him again as that was the perfect show and after seeing setlists, he doesn't change too much.

I have that DVD but haven't watched it. It's still frame perfect in my mind.

First album.

I just listened to Ten New Songs and about half of Live in London. What a master.