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Life of a ladies' man

SARAH HAMPSON

From Saturday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 2:49 PM EDT 16/03/08

The poet, icon and new grandfather spends a lazy afternoon over wine, cheese and cherry pie talking to Sarah Hampson about his nostalgia for free love, his failure as a junkie, his lonely nights at the Buddhist monastery and the secret to finding romantic contentment at 72. ‘I'm not interested,' he says, ‘in taking off my clothes with a woman right now.' ...Read the full article

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  1. Annis Karpenko from Toronto, Canada writes: Mr. Cohen inpsires me to be better every day.
  2. Manon Croteau from Ottawa, Canada writes: My first memories of being 'exposed' to Leonard Cohen draw back to my childhood in the 70s...My sisters and I used to hide behind the giant wooden speakers and giggle at my mother, sitting on the bigh beige plaid couch, listening to 'Suzanne' on her earphones and singing along loudly with her eyes shut tight, absolutely off-key. Later on, as a bored but hungry teenager, I remember picking up 'Stranger Music' from my parents' coffee table, and being genuinely and simultaneously awed, saddened, perplexed, a little bit shocked, and finally released. This feeling of pure innocence and imminent liberation was a direct result of reading his poems, and made me feel for the first time like it was okay to honour my sadness and joys, my simplicity as child and my complexities as a growing woman, like it was acceptable to express and laugh at both my triumphs and insecurities, like it was courageous and natural to be absolutely unique. and the beauty, oh the beauty! I am still hungry... As time moved along, I remember thinking that the only proper way to celebrate my early adulthood was to sit proudly on a wooden stool, with my right leg draped over a strange man, who inked my first and only tattoo: the cover of Mr. Cohen's album, the Future. Today, as I adhere kindly to time and acknowledge the often tumultuous (and sweetly naïve) passing of my 20s, I admit that I continue to be perplexed and overjoyed by the art of Mr. Cohen. Though I am unable to fully understand how he has discovered the art of marrying still words with moving sounds, to create such simple and unparalleled splendor...I have decided that this new decade in my life will mark le nouvel âge, when I will cease to try understanding (my life, the world, his art). Instead, I will remember my lessons learned and will instead refer to my inner compass, knowing that I am always guided by love, truth, and time. Oh, and of course, Mr. Cohen, by beauty. Merci!
  3. michael m from Canada writes: I love this multi-media presentation! Great work and keep 'em coming.
  4. Wafflehut Guy from Orlando (next to Gatorland), United States writes: thank you Mr Cohen.
  5. paul ledroit from london on, Canada writes: The video is icing on the cake of a welcome insight revealed in the paper
  6. Anne Mitchell from Canada writes: Not using his music for this video was a stupid decision.
  7. Tricia Souviens from Fraser Valley, Canada writes: I have had a long love affair with his words! and it continues....
  8. Phil Menger from Abbotsford, Canada writes: The interviews and video of Leonard remind me so very much of my conversation with him many years ago, back in the 90s, when he was in Vancouver for some music award show. At the show he recited Tower of Song like a sermon. I was invited to a private party after at the Wedgewood Hotel, a nice boutique hotel in Vancouver. And there he was in the back room flanked by Jennifer Warrens and Suzanne Vega. What a site. He left the room and like a fan I followed him first to the bathroom where I honoured his privacy then to the bar upstairs where he seemed to require a break. There he was at the bar having a scotch and smoke break. I sat at the other end of the bar for awhile, not wanting to interrupt and he said something so I moved on down to have a nice conversation with him about Greece, Montreal, L.A. (where he was recording an album as a followup to I'm Your Man which had put him back on top). I commented how funny I thought some of the songs were on I'm Your Man and he said he was so glad I had got that. He felt too many people took his songs too seriously when many were meant to ease pain rather than cause pain. As we were talking in our one on one, just Leo and me, some ladies appeared. daughters with mothers it seemed, just to go to dinner or something and happened upon Leonard and once they realized their luck immediately were all blushing blubbering school girls. I swear their panties fell right to the floor on the spot. Leo was very gracious and took them into his private moment, free and easy, as he had taken me in. And in your article, Sarah, you have captured that very soul. I was so pleased the way you wrote the article letting the flower bloom before you and just making sure we saw that.
  9. Daphne Green from New Westminster, Canada writes: My favourite Leonard memory is when I reeived a card in response to a letter I wrote to him in my early twenties. I was (am) struggling with existential angst, and I poured out my soul on perhaps 7 pages of graph paper. Who but Leonard would understand? I received a beautiful embroidered card in reply, slightly soiled as though it had been around the kitchen a bit, waiting for the right recipient, and it said "Dear Daphne. Thank you for the letter." To me that epitomises his simplicity and his kindness. The writer of the article remarks Leonard is most comfortable in his humanity, and that may be what frees us to worship his divinity.
  10. J H from Canada writes: Anne Mitchell from Canada writes: Not using his music for this video was a stupid decision.

    No doubt there were licensing issues involved. Artists seldom own the rights to their own music and even then there are fees to be paid, permissions to be sought.
  11. Jim Foley from Victoria BC, Canada writes: a very nice production.
  12. Isabelle Vaillant from Toronto, Canada writes: Congratulations for this wonderful article! I like the format of the multimedia presentation. Leonard Cohen is definitely one of Canada's greatest icons!
  13. milana frohlich from Vancouver, Canada writes: Thank you-great video.We love Leonard,some of our most pleasant moments were while we listed to his songs and watched the ocean from Galiano Island.
  14. Valerie Bastien from writes: I enjoyed reading your article and watching the media presentation very much! I'm relatively new to Cohen's work. I knew of Cohen because he was my mom's favorite singer but I really only took interest in his work about a year ago when I realized one of my favorite singers (Jeff Buckley) was greatly inspired by him. I've started paying attention to his music and his poetry more closely since. I actually just finished reading Beautiful Losers last week; it was awkward but great! What a wonderful poet Cohen is. I also love his music; mostly what was written before the 80s'. I myself play guitar and write folk songs and I feel he was behind my mom's reasons for getting me a guitar! I therefore consider him one of my first influences ironically!

    I'd like to share the following cover of Cohen's Hallelujah with other fans; it was performed by Myles Kennedy from Alter Bridge last May 4th, during a Charity Event in Connecticut to which I was present:

    http://youtube.com/watch?v=bQ5WTEb4AaQ

    Hearing this song live was very moving. Thank you Leonard Cohen for your inspiration!
  15. Darryl Youzefowich from Mersin, Turkey, writes: Mr. Cohen has had a big influence on my life. I really enjoyed the multimedia presentation. Leonard is like a fine wine, soft around the edges; he takes a bit of the edge off life's hardness, even as he acknowledges that hardness. He really has bouquet. I sip some of his music when I need to recover from life's pain. If he is a beautiful loser, then what about us? We need a hundred more like him - why can't we all learn?
  16. Herman Hesse the Steppenwolf from Canada writes: "Tower of Song" : Best, most atmospheric song ever written. Thank you.
  17. Herman Hesse the Steppenwolf from Canada writes: One more thing: If Mr. Cohen wrote a children's book, my daughter's horizons would unfold in the right direction.
  18. marcelin tremblant from montreal, Canada writes: Paris,fevrier 1969... cafe le Polytek....au comptoir un homme boit un grand marnier...en fait il a demande de garder la bouteille...il regarde une jeune femme qui lit dans un coin un livre de Wilhelm Stekel:la femme frigide...Il la regarde et boit toute la journee.Le lendemain dans la soiree il apporte une guitare et chante:like a bird...Il explique que c'est une nouvelle chanson qu'il vient d'ecrire...sa chanson se perd dans les larmoiements d"enrico macias sortant du juke box derriere lui...Il dechire sa chemise et en donne des lambeaux aux clients attables...il veut partir avec elle n'importe ou...aux canaries,au maroc....a St Tropez, a nashville peut-etre...Il revient un an plus tard,avec son armee et conquiert Paris en une nuit de mai.fragile,d'une force irresistible il transforme tout ce qu'il touche de sa main et de sa voix.Pres de lui rien ne semble impossible.Il demeure present meme lorsqu'il a disparu.
  19. Bryn Davies from Canada writes: Leonard Cohen is a gift. Your video was a perfect complement to the article and makes me look forward, with great anticipation, to his presence at the Luminato Festival in Toronto next week.
  20. Sarah Farmer from Canada writes: Mr. Cohen has always profoundly affected my life and therefore the lives of those close to me. Thank you for your acknowledgement of him. An excerpt from one of my poems describes it best:

    ...With friends that were more than companions
    Dreaming of degrees and good fortune with your tunes in our heads
    As we pedaled our bikes home in the dark
    Its better you know, your voice I mean.
    With a seduction that makes me feel as a woman should
    And a truth that digs into my marrow.
    So I glance at your book beside my bed.
    Don’t go too soon as some of us couldn’t bear it
    You own the best ways to say how we feel
    When we are too lazy to find the words ourselves
    Please stay, just stay if only at your kitchen table
    Isn’t that where you do your best work anyway?

    I once asked a man where the passion was
    He said he didn’t know.
    I’ll pick up your book again.
    It’s there.

    Sarah Farmer
  21. Stephanie Saunders from Toronto, Canada writes: Starting with the newsprint article, and moving on to the mini-docemtentary, this story has given me a real sense of peace and tranquility...a space for contemplation. Thanks for the reminder that no matter how much Noise is out there, there are true artists working with true ideas and that simplicity connects us all. The photography is beautiful, the writing expansive. Bravo.
  22. Catherine Prickett from Ottawa, Canada writes: That was beautiful, funny, and serene. Just the thing to drink in over breakfast.
  23. Wes Coaster from Victoria, Canada writes: Your gravelly, raspy voice, delivering irrevelent songs, always makes me laugh. Life does have rough edges. Thank you, Leonard.
  24. ian coffin from windsor, Canada writes: Most comments concern what we have taken from L.
    Cohen. What have we given back to him or another in his stead.
  25. Hi There from Toronto, Canada writes: Rachelle W from Kirkland, WA, United States writes: Sorry folks. I always thought Leonard Cohen was a self-centred 'artist' lacking in both talent and depth. Who wants to listen to his faulty voice and insipid 'reflections' anyway?

    Clearly not you which, of course, is fine - you are as entitled to your voice and reflections as Leonard Cohen is. Your use of adjectives and quotation marks is 'interesting', false apology notwithstanding. (Ooh, seems I couldn't resist an adjective there myself...)

    But enough about you, let me return to the subject here. I enjoyed both the print article and the online supplement. I liked Charla Jones's photographs, too. Thanks to all involved in a calm and considered look at someone whose words have often been cause to stop and think - all too rare.
  26. Wayne Leal from Big Bras d'Or, Cape Breton, Canada writes: I will turn sixty before the year is out. My wife introduced me to the music of Leonard Cohen when I was twenty three. He has been a valued companion ever since. I love his cap. Where can I get one like it?
  27. ron jones from vancouver, Canada writes: Thank you. This is an excellent article and thanks to Sarah Farmer for sharing her beautiful poem with us. She is clearly influenced by Leonard.
  28. Geri Buchanan from Bedford, Canada writes: The man and the multimedia package are both superb. His drawings are exquisite and I hope I can return to them many times. Leonard Cohen's poetry and music have delighted me for many years and will continue to do so.
  29. Joyce Spear from Fredericton, Canada writes: Leonard is one of a few living people with whom I feel I could have a conversation. First I would ask about the "fewer who don't even care"; is that good or bad. I am afraid of losing the me that loves Leonard. As maybe he fears losing himself.

    Joyce Spear
  30. B Mac from Roachvale, Canada writes: Leonard Cohen is an icon only in his own mind, and in those minds whose owners have lent them to him. His work created his own reality with the sole purpose of reflecting his own defects in a favourable light. His iconism is reminiscent of Pierre Trudeau, which, in the light of the reality of a new century, is absolute drivel. An icon? Spare me.
  31. Irena Tessier from London, Canada writes: Leonard Cohen was a big influence on my brother`s life. When my brother died, as per his wishes, Leonard Cohen`s book, Stranger Music went with my brother when he was cremated. He was a fan to the end.
    Irena
  32. Joanne Crawford from Courtenay, B.C., Canada writes: I came in from the sunshine on the patio, my interest piqued after reading Hampson's interview with Leonard Cohen, to have a peak at the mult-media portion of the G&M online. What a lovely treat and insight into an artist who speaks with such humility and eloquence. Thank you and congratulations to Sarah Hampson for a fine piece of writing and Charla Jones for sensitive black and white photographs. Leonard, more please.
  33. Danielle Boudreau from Canada writes: Fantastic work!
  34. Job Patstone from Quebec City, Canada writes: I enjoyed the video, and especially his artwork, which I had never seen.
    Leonard, one of Canada's great singer-songwriters, poets and artists, never disappoints. I have been a fan of his music since the sixties. I am sixty, but my son is an even bigger fan, so his talent obviously pleases different generations. I find his humbleness intriguing, but artists usually do their best work when they are depressed or feel rejected by society. I hope one day he realizes how precious he really is, or at least his music is. Halleluiah, Mr. Cohen.
  35. doug holm from Pei, Canada writes: Thank you, I really enjoyed it. Very well put together.
    I've been listening to LC for 35 yrs....and he keeps getting better... or the older I get, the more I appreciate him.
  36. Mark M from Toronto, Canada writes: This was my first click on a G&M.com multi media piece. I was really pleasently surprised. Lovely comments from Monsieur Cohen, really nice job of interlacing images and words. Please do more!
  37. Philippe Normand from France writes: When I first got to know Cohen's song, I thought he touched me because he was like me a Montrealer and I walk to the harbour in resonance to the character in Suzanne. I have come to see him as universal and the online show presents him as a universal poet. Immense.
  38. Leah Lewis from Victoria, Canada writes: Thank you! I'd forgotten what it felt like to be young and free. I've been with and in Leonard since the 60's. Or, he's been with and in me. He represents a model of belief that has always soothed me. My deepest gratitude G&M.
  39. JIm Dunning from London, Canada writes: In Ms Hampson's article she draws out of Mr. Cohen that he looks back on his life and can't help but wonder if he spent a little too much time looking at the darker side and perhaps not enough at the lighter side. In his latter years, he is finding that kindness and being open and understanding of others is time well spent. Angst and turmoil and deeper darker concerns are for the young. I have read Mr. Cohen's works and all that I picked out of it was the love and the romance and the softness amidst all of the other heavy stuff. Some of the crumbs make his works worth reading - a back-handed compliment but nonetheless a genuine and thankful one for speaking to me and for me.
  40. David Gilmour from Canada writes: Congratulations. That is a dazzling, wonderul piece on Cohen -- the interview, the photgraphs and the video pack -- an inspired piece of work.

    David Gilmour
    Toronto Ontario
  41. David Ludmer from Montreal, Canada writes: Like the removal of a plaster from a healing wound, first the pain then the euphoria. Thank you Mr. Cohen.
  42. Catherine Allen from satellite beach, United States writes: I was a lower-class fairly feral child, well-used by 13. At a street fair in Baltimore in '73, there was an abandoned songbook on the curb. I picked it up, read the lyrics for "Suzanne" and felt a jolt of understanding as those words without melody echoed inside of me.
    Within minutes I'd memorized the words, only it didn't feel like that. It felt like they just sank into, and became part of, me.
    It was an awakening, my first. Not long after I heard Suzanne sung by Judy Collins. It became a personal anthem and I found more by LC, more strange twisty lyrics that made a semi-sense and sometimes felt more than they meant.

    I want to use this forum to offer my humble thanks. It's been my privilege to keep listening, singing, reading, watching, and knowing that Leonard is still sharing his struggles and perceptions. Wide open. Thank you Leonard.
  43. B Khosla from Toronto, Canada writes: It was 1968 in a dorm room in the University of Delhi, India that I had my first brush with Mr. Cohen's work. Faithful to the zeitgeist it was a stoned occasion. We were listening to the Doors and I happened to wander into the next room where I saw the cover of his album titled "Songs of Leonard Cohen". I found his visage to be of a person aflame. The photograph struck me as reflecting innocence and being burnt out at the same time. I asked if I could hear the album, and was cautioned that I may not relish the "ooze" on the album. But I was able to hear Suzanne, and a part of "Master Song". After that no one wanted to hear him. BUT I was told that the album was mine for the taking because no one there could handle it. I was an immediate convert to Mr. Cohen's work. His words and imagery struck me as no words had before. Ever since I have been a willing prisoner of his work. Some decades later when I came to Canada the fact that it was the country where Mr. Cohen was from gave my destination a special meaning. Today Mr. Cohen's work holds the same lustre for me it did nearly 40 years ago. His deep humility (so characteristic of him) and joyous tears at his induction into the "Songwriters Hall of Fame" last year was a deep and sweet delight to see on TV. And to me made for an affirmation of the love and admiration I (and perhaps those like some of us) bear for him. In 1993 I went and saw him on 2 out of the 3 nights he performed at the then O'Keefe Centre - it was incredible!
  44. nick hepworth from United Kingdom writes: there are giant mosquitos in Britain now.

    laughing lenny. everybody knows, thats how it goes. how do you begin to explain the majesty that his words add. his words have been a reassuring text to turbulent life in northern england whilst working for the yankee dollar trying to change the system from within. what is this order he speaks of?
  45. Valerie Faun from East Bay, United States writes: I've been reading the criticisms on Leonard Cohen. Most of them seem to feel he is gloomy, sullen, despairing, bitter, etc. Critics do not seem to understand that is where their minds are, how they perceive his words. Lines like "ring the bells that still can ring, forget your perfect offering, there is a crack, a crack in everything - that's how the light gets in..." are the purest distillation of about 3 million lifetimes. And then there is the question of whom he is actually addressing in songs like "I'm Your Man". You''ll see it differently 10 years from now, if you've been growing. This guy has a heavy load, this lifetime. He has to reach many people, wherever they are in their process, and inch them along, in an exceptionally few number of words. Leonard Cohen is rather like Joseph Campbell. He's a teacher that is both close enough to the people he is meant to reach and close enough to the light to be able to communicate it to them. But Campbell used lots of words, much redundancy. Revisiting either of them at widely separated times will teach you, every time, what you are ready for then. I laughed out loud when he said, in the recent movie, that he "hated everybody, but acted generously" as a monk. That's all any of us can ever do on this plane, except for the rare realized being. The further you are along, the tougher the job. We need you. Not to put a heavier load on you, because you can't help but do what you do, either way. I for one am real glad your tolerance for consciousness-altering substances is low. We'd have lost you, otherwise. You have, still are, paying the price of acute sensitivity. This spares many others, including me, some of the pain., illuminates the way, informs the next step. So, thanks, inadequate as that may be - thanks for taking this lifetime on. Squirm if you need to, but you are strong, gallant, and eloquent. And almost ready to be thrown off the wheel, too, I betcha!
  46. Hillary Lucas from United States writes: Suzannne's Angels: Please help Suzanne Verdal McAllister

    Please help Suzanne Verdal McAllister to get off the street. Moira Nordholt is pledging $1 per km/mile on a trip from California to the Northwest Territory to help our dear friend, Suzanne. She was the muse that inspired Leonard's song "Suzanne". She fell backward several years ago and broke her back and from then on has been living in her truck. For more information on how to pledge 1 cent per km/mile or more/less please visit http://www.firehorserider.com also sign into facebook and visit Moira Nordholt's page and click on Suzanne's Angels to learn more. Thank you for taking the time to read this important message and thank you in advance for your pledge. Merci
  47. sharon volstad from red deer, Canada writes: I love Leonard Cohen and have for 35 years. Biggest regret is that I didn't realize he was in Montreal the same time I lived there in the '70's. I could have called him!! Any concerts planned anywhere on the continent in the future?? How whould I find out?
  48. Guillaume Loreau from Metz, France writes: I'd like to know more about the ethnic minorities developped by L. Cohen throughout his songs. Could you help me ?
    guillaumeloreau@voila.fr
    thanks
  49. Linda White from Newmarket, Canada writes: I remember seeing Leonard Cohen on the cbc tv and radio as a youngter, when I was about 8. I first got into his music after listening to kd Lang singing his song Hallelujah! I am hooked now! I listen to his Essential cd almost every night and we listen to it in the car, while driving around town, me and my baby girl who loves music! She sings along, in kind of a high pitched/deep voice, trying to imitate him! I went to his art show last summer at the Drabinsky gallery and to Words to Music at the Elgin, where I was lucky enough to have met him and received his autograph which I will keep forever. He's the greatest! Linda from Newmarket, Ontario.

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