Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago · 1 min. reading time · ~10 ·

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It's a cold, and it's a broken Hallelujah

It's a cold, and it's a broken Hallelujah

| _ ar ] rill

I heard today that Leonard Cohen passed away.

You may have never been a fan, but I'll bet you are a fan of someone influenced by his poetry and music. 

Leonard Cohen was 82 years old, and lived a hard life, which he wrote about using turns and phrases that anchored themselves in your soul.

His gravelly voice was several octaves lower than most, and he truly was a poet rather than a musician, but even his music had a simplistic elegance that buttressed the poetry.

The news hit me harder than most news I hear.

So I felt I needed to take a moment and reflect on why 

Back when I was a tubby teen, trying hard to find my identity and purpose in life, I decided to learn guitar.

In the school I attended, there was this kid, Doug Green, who was two years ahead of me and talented beyond his years. He became my aspirational model.

During a talent show, this Doug came onstage with just an acoustic guitar. This was a surprise because of these four lads from Liverpool, this was a time of four piece rock and roll bands. 

'Folk' music wasn't cool.

Doug started a simple finger picking pattern, and began to sing...

"Suzanne takes me down, to her place by the river..."

... and I was captivated.

Here is Leonard singing it years ago.


Goodbye Mr. Cohen...




"
#Leonard Cohen #Hallelujah #Doug #Cohen #Suzanne
Comments

Jim Murray

7 years ago #19

That's was nice, Kev. I haven't written a goodbye to Mr Cohen. Now I don't have to. You said it.

Javier Cámara-Rica 🐝🇪🇸

7 years ago #18

Great tribute. An unique man. TALENT TALENT TALENT ... we are lucky we can still listen to him again and again !

Javier Cámara-Rica 🐝🇪🇸

7 years ago #17

Amazing connection with Spain Leonard Cohen - https://www.bebee.com/content/962156/918569

don kerr

7 years ago #16

My favourite Cohen poem which seems apt at this point: With Annie gone Whose eyes to compare With the morning sun? Not that I did compare. But I do Now that she's gone

Robert Cormack

7 years ago #15

A friend of mine interviewed him back in the seventies. Cohen was in an apartment with very small rooms, so he had very small furniture. My friend asked him why, and Cohen said "It's the way I feel right now." Nice piece Kevin Pashuk

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #14

#23
Very deep man!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #13

Thanks for more background on Leonard Cohen Kevin Pashuk. I love his version of Hallejiua! I found this last night... remember Paper Thin Hotel? Very moving song (the lyrics). Anyhow, "Smooth Maria" sang this song and wow... here is a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdYOiUsSMWo

Phil Friedman

7 years ago #12

Leonard Cohen's poetry truly touches one's soul. Thank you Kevin.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #11

#18
Thanks Rick.

Pedro 🐝 Casanova

7 years ago #10

Am heartbroken. God wanted to hear Hallelujah..I get it . First...BB King...Bowie...Prince...now Leonard...Please God...we gonna end up listening to Bieber.???..at this pace I ll tell you....keep doing me this and I ll make myself buddhists.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #9

#15
Thanks Franci... Some of his lyrics still haunt me (in a good way) in my quiet moments as they pop into my mind, triggered by ordinary things.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #8

#13
Thanks for commenting Linda. He did indeed write from the depths of his experiences.

Jim Murray

7 years ago #7

He will be missed. Nice tribute, Beezer Kev

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #6

#10
Yes. Yes he was a proud Canadian... Thank you for mentioning that Renée. This huge country with a sparse population has indeed gifted the world with some great musicians and artists. Never let geography get in the way of making a global difference.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #5

#8
I've actually clicked on some of your music links Pascal. I wouldn't peg you for a Cohen fan. His amplifier didn't go up to 11 (but that's ok)

Pascal Derrien

7 years ago #4

Never really been a huge fan but he was an artist in a real sense, it's always a sad day when somebody of his calibre bites the dust.....

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #3

#6
Thanks Henri. "Magical" is a great descriptor of the connection his music made with people.

Susan 🐝 Rooks, The Grammar Goddess

7 years ago #2

A sad passing of a huge talent -- thanks for this, Kevin Pashuk.

Susan 🐝 Rooks, The Grammar Goddess

7 years ago #1

Ohhhh, my, Kevin Pashuk! I hadn't heard of his death, but I am saddened by it. And so glad you put this post together, including my all-time favorite -- Halleluja. Sigh. Too many of the greats are going . . .

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