I'll Just Hum A Few Bars

Thanks to heatherfeather I've got music on the brain---in particular, Leonard Cohen's "The Partisan". I thought I didn't have it---didn't even know what album it was on---and then I found it on one of my Leonard Cohen's greatest collections. (I remember now that it's on his "Songs From A Room" album). How dumb am I? I'd even forgotten that not only had I heard the song before, but I really like it. Duh. In my defense, it's been a really long time since I've heard it.

Anyway, about ole Leonard: I can hardly reconcile the voice singing "Partisan" with the one singing, say, "A Thousand Kisses Deep". Listening to "Partisan" again, I thought for a minute that I was listening to Townes Van Zandt or something. Cohen's voice has gotten so nicely raspy as he's gotten older (and probably smoked himself hoarse?)....

And so I was in the mood then to listen to some good old music that I haven't heard for awhile. I've got a friend from way back who's made me a few collections of music that are awesome. In fact, I think he has introduced me to almost every one of my favorite artists, including (but not limited to): Leonard, Townes, Lucinda Williams, Natalie Merchant, David Gray, John Prine. To name a few. I think of this friend as my music guru. At any rate, it's always fun to be exposed to new music---which is why I like it when heatherfeather makes her lists.

Regarding other Leonard Cohen stuff, as much as I love his music and his songwriting, I can't say the same for his books. They don't do much for me. Maybe I'm just not deep enough, which is highly possible, but they're just a little too grim and sacrilegious for me.

And lastly, he has a new album out which I don't have but want to get. Somewhat ironically, it's called "Dear Heather". I think he didn't mean to drop the "-feather". Maybe it wouldn't fit on the cover or something?

It's time for a new music collection, actually, but I have a feeling that my guru isn't going to be forthcoming any time soon. It's as though he has a job and a million other things to do or something. Whatever. Until then, I'll just listen to the old good stuff until I get some new good stuff.