Sheri

here’s what happened what i tried to make chocolate cupcakes for my friend emily’s birthday. there is definitely definitely definitely a reason why i am a musician and not a cake decorator.

Amazing. Speechless. I saw Leonard Cohen, the great poet, incomparable lyricist, legendary songwriter and superb artist, who wrote “Hallelujah” (Jeff Buckley’s version is gorgeous and epic), “Chelsea Hotel No. 2”, “Famous Blue Raincoat”, “Suzanne”, “Sisters of Mercy” “First we Take Manhattan, Then We Take Berlin”, “Bird On A Wire” and a million other classic songs…

OMG. seriously, witnessing Leonard Cohen perform, humbly kneeling on the ground, singing up in desperation and wonder to the heavens, and chuckling at his own lyrics in his Baritone sounding voice is just amazing. He’s 75. 75. And such a beautiful spirit, introducing his band twice during the show, paying them great homage…bowing deeply to them individually, and bowing deeply to the audience. He’s unbelievable. I had tears in my eyes, about 3 times, that I was too embarrassed to cry publicly (even though noone could see me in the pitch black concert space, of course), when he sang lines like

“I heard there was a secret chord, that David played and pleased the Lord
But you don’t really know much about music, do you?
It goes like this, the 4th, the 5th, the minor fall and the major lift, the baffled king composing Hallelujah. Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.”

and
“I remember you well in the Chelsea Hotel
You were famous, your heart was a legend
You told me again you preferred handsome men
but for me you would make an exception
and clenching your fist for the ones like us
who are oppressed by the figures of beauty,
You fixed yourself, you said, “Well never mind,
we are ugly but we have the music.”

Wow (deep inhale)

I was sitting next to Leonard’s producer for his first few records, and asked him if the story in “Famous Blue Raincoat” was a true story (where Leonard’s brother steals his wife, and thanks him in a letter). He said Leonard didnt’ have any living brothers, but you never know. So many mysteries untold.

Leonard’s music is a gift. please check out “Hallelujah” and “A Thousand Kisses Deep” if you’re a poet and lover at heart…even if you’re not, there’s poetry to be born in every soul.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttv5dyvtF4o “HALLELUJAH” LIVE IN LONDON

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YygNf2PW2S4 “A THOUSAND KISSES DEEP” LIVE IN LONDON

with love,
xoxoxoxo
sheri