Leonard Cohen – The Artist As Steward

This photo of Leonard Cohen with head bowed and hat in hand is, I contend, the iconic shot of the May 14, 2012 Glen Gould Prize ceremony, the one the one that most completely captures the spirit of that event and what it represents.

In support of this notion, I ask readers to consider how Leonard Cohen spent his time at that gala:

1. Leonard Cohen accepted the Glenn Gould Prize, which includes both a $50,000 award for the winner and the responsibility of naming the recipient of the associated City of Toronto Glenn Gould Protégé Prize of $15,000. Cohen had already named  Sistema Toronto, a program that offers free, intensive music education to children from culturally diverse neighbourhoods, as the recipient of the Protégé Prize. He then donated his own $50,000 cash prize to the Canada Council for the Arts, the same organization from which Cohen, as a young poet, received a $25 grant in the form of reading fees.
2. Leonard Cohen gave a 4 minute acceptance speech, consisting entirely of him
   • Quieting the standing ovation he received
   • Telling about interviewing Glenn Gould for a magazine and being so bedazzled he didn’t take notes and couldn’t recall enough to write the article.
   • Telling about greeting Gould years later with “hip language” (i.e., “Hey man, what’s shaking?”) and Gould responding with “I didn’t know you were from Memphis, Tennessee.”
   • Informing those about to perform in his tribute concert that they need not worry about singing his songs in front of him because, as he has pointed out several times in the past, “I go into an immediate, childish ecstasy and paroxysms of gratitude … whenever anyone covers one of my songs.”
3. Leonard Cohen watched the concert, applauding each act.
4. Leonard Cohen left the building

That’s it. No celebration of his own career, no philosophical pronouncements, no raging against the lack of public funds dedicated to support culture, … . Heck, as far as I can determine from the photos, videos, and press reports, he didn’t even promote his Old Ideas album or his upcoming Old Ideas World Tour, mortal sins of omission for an American artist (maybe this is a Canadian thing?).

Leonard Cohen was grateful, he was gracious, he was generous, … he was great.

Just like that photo.¹

Credit Due Department: The photo is by Nancy Paiva and was published in For Leonard Cohen, What Goes Around Comes Around by Todd Aalgaard (Torontoist May, 15, 2012)

1. I should note that personally, I would have preferred Cohen’s Glenn Gould Prize acceptance speech to have been more along the lines of his Prince Of Asturias Awards “How I Got My Song” speech rather than this return to his PEN Award‘s “I am only a footnote to Chuck Berry” motif. Humility, artistic stewardship, and such are all well and good, but Leonard Cohen is one of the few individuals alive today who can perform the much-needed task of configuring and broadcasting the spoken word to  emotionally move an audience in the realm of culture and awaken them to the potential beauty in poetry, music, and the other arts. Just saying.

In Praise Of Leonard Cohen – Q With Jian Ghomeshi: 16 May 2012

Credit Due Department: Photo found at Glenn Gould Foundation site

The $50,000 Donation

Leonard Cohen accepted the Glenn Gould Prize last night, but donated the $50,000 that accompanied it to the Canada Council for the Arts.

The Speech

Note: Leonard Cohen’s speech may be viewed at Video – Leonard Cohen’s Glenn Gould  Acceptance Speech

The Speech: Leonard Cohen interviews Glenn Gould

In his acceptance speech, Cohen gave his account of interviewing Gould for Holiday magazine in the “late 1950s or early 1960s.” The pianist, having “apparently heard of a little book I [Cohen] had written, … accepted the interview.”

Cautioned not to shake his hand,¹ Cohen met Gould in the lobby of Gould’s apartment building in Toronto.

“This was before the days of tape recorders,” explained Cohen, who soon became “so engrossed by what he [Gould] was saying, I stopped taking notes.”

The interview, scheduled for only a few minutes, lasted for a “couple of hours.”  Cohen thanked Gould and returned to his Montreal home to write the article, at which time those words he thought “were burned into my soul” dissipated. As Leonard Cohen put it,

I couldn’t remember a word that he said

After stalling his editors over the phone for some time, Cohen changed tactics:

Finally, I stopped answering the phone

And after the admonitory telegraphs from the editor began to arrive, his strategy once again shifted:

I finally joined the witness protection program.

DrHGuy Note:  This excerpt from Various Positions by Ira Nadel re-tells the same story, offering the benefit of identifying the year (1963) and some additional specificity about the topic of the article Cohen was to write. it also mentions the editor’s suggestion, inexplicably absent from Cohen’s speech last night, that Cohen and Gould do the interview while walking about Montreal wearing false beards. The “novel” in the first line is Cohen’s “The Favourite Game,” published in fall 1963. (click on passage below to expand image)

The Speech: Cohen & Gould meet again

Cohen then segued into the second time he met Gould,  years after the first encounter, at a Columbia Records studio in New York.

He was recording something sublime, I was recording something otherwise.

Cohen, noting that he was, at the time,” infected with the new hip language,” animatedly informs the audience that he hailed Gould with

Hey man, what’s shaking?

To which Gould replied

I didn’t know you were from Memphis, Tennessee.

The Speech: Assuagement of performers’ anxieties

Cohen informed those about to perform in his tribute concert that they need not worry about singing his songs in front of him because, as he has pointed out several times in the past,

I go into an immediate, childish ecstasy and paroxysms of gratitude … whenever anyone covers one of my songs.

Credit Due Department: Photo by Carlos Osorio/Toronto Star

1. “His fanatical fear of germs is part of the Glenn Gould legend. He refused to shake hands with people he met for fear of contracting illnesses or having his hand crushed.” From Variations On Glenn Gould – CBC

Last night’s speech was recorded live & uploaded by Arlene Dick of Arlene’s Leonard Cohen Scrapbook

Update: For related discussion, also see Leonard Cohen Wins Hearts As Well As Glenn Gould Prize With Gracious Donation & Speech

Adrienne Clarkson, then Governor General, awards Cohen with Canada's top honour, making him a Companion to the Order of Canada - 2003

Leonard Cohen’s Old Friends

It should not be a surprise that Leonard Cohen is well acquainted with many of the performers and guests at The Glenn Gould Prize Gala Concert in Honour of Leonard Cohen tonight.  After all, his long-time partner, Anjani Thomas, and his son, Adam Cohen, are among the musicians scheduled to appear.

Some, especially non-Canadians, may, however, be unaware of the intermittent but ongoing intersections in the lives of the Canadian Bard Of The Holy And Profane¹  and Clarkson, who is a speaker at tonight’s award ceremony.  Adrienne Clarkson first met Cohen while she was a producer and broadcaster for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, became an unabashed fan of the Canadian singer-songwriter, and later found herself on stage with him in her official capacity as the 26th Governor General of Canada.

The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson – Self-described Leonard Cohen Groupie

In her list of 10 things former Governor General and author Adrienne Clarkson can’t live without, she indeed calls herself a Leonard Cohen groupie (see below); one notes, however, that she ranks Cohen at #8, – just below her King James Bible that originally belonged to her mother but above Koerner Hall (her favorite place for concerts) and Fantasia (her favorite movie):

Leonard Cohen
He sang on TV for the first time on my CBC show in 1967, and we’ve been friends ever since. (His appearance is online² and it’s hilarious.) I’ve been to dozens of his concerts all over the world. I’ve never told anyone what a groupie I am!

Even more revelatory and poignant is this essay by Clarkson published in Intricate Preparations – Writing Leonard Cohen  by Stephen Scobie (ECW Press. June 1, 2000):Videos: Two Previous Cohen-Clarkson Contacts

Leonard Cohen Considers the Poetic Mind, CBC Interview 1966

Leonard Cohen Induction Into CSHF  (part 1) 2006

Leonard Cohen Induction Into CSHF  (part 2) 2006

Credit Due Department: Photo found in CBC archives

1. Leonard Cohen nickname #57
2. This appearance on the May 23, 1966 episode of Take 30, featuring Cohen singing “The Stranger Song” is apparently no longer online.

Massey Hall is the site of tonight’s celebration of Cohen’s accomplishments and the latest acknowledgement of his work – The Glenn Gould Prize Gala Concert in Honour of Leonard Cohen.

As the official press release explains,

The Glenn Gould Prize, valued at $50,000 (CDN), has been referred to as “The Nobel Prize of the Arts” and is awarded biennially to a living individual for a unique lifetime contribution that has enriched the human condition through the arts.

Cohen will not only accept the Glenn Gould Prize but will also present the associated City of Toronto Glenn Gould Protégé Prize of $15,000 (CDN) to Sistema Toronto, a program that offers free, intensive music education to children from culturally diverse neighbourhoods.

Tonight’s program will be hosted by Colm Feore and features Anjani Thomas, Basia Bulat, Adam Cohen, Cowboy Junkies, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, James McMurtry, Gordon Pinsent with Travis Good & Greg Keelor (Blue Rodeo), John Prine, and Serena Ryder. Guest speakers and readers include The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Melissa Auf der Maur, Michael Ondaatje and Alan Rickman. The Musical Director is Neil Larsen.

As of yesterday, tickets were still available.

Credit Due Department: Photos by Arlene Dick of Arlene’s Leonard Cohen Scrapbook.

Leonard Cohen’s Jukebox

Biggest Influence on My Music – The jukebox. I lived beside jukeboxes all through the fifties. … I never knew who was singing. I never followed things that way. I still don’t. I wasn’t a student of music; I was a student of the restaurant I was in — and the waitresses. The music was a part of it. I knew what number the song was.

- Leonard Cohen (Yakety Yak by Scott Cohen, 1994)

Leonard Cohen’s Jukebox: Over the years, Leonard Cohen has mentioned a number of specific songs he favors. Leonard Cohen’s Jukebox is a Heck Of A Guy feature that began collecting these tunes for the edification and entertainment of viewers on April 4, 2009; KD Lang’s cover of Cohen’s “Hallelujah” is the 34th entry in this category. All posts in the Leonard Cohen’s Jukebox series can be found at the Leonard Cohen’s Jukebox Page.

“Ultimate Blissful State Of Perfection”

KD Lang - 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics opening ceremonies

In the case of this song, the evidence of Leonard Cohen’s approbation comes from his long-time backup singer and partner, Anjani Thomas:

After hearing KD Lang perform that song at the Canadian Songwriter’s Hall of Fame in 2006 we looked at each other and said, “Well, I think we can lay that song to rest now! It’s really been done to its ultimate blissful state of perfection.”¹

KD Lang – Hallelujah (2006 Canadian Songwriter’s Hall of Fame)

1. Interrupting Yr Broadcast: Anjani Thomas  by Alan Pedder (Wears the Trousers Magazine. 8 July 2008)

The Ying To Chocolodka’s Yang

Banana-infused Jameson Whiskey turns out to be a deceptively subtle, sophisticated potable, the recipe for which requires only two easily obtained ingredients and a modicum of patience. Despite all this – and the implicit absence of a dishwasher throughout  the process – this potion has been designated the second official Heck Of A Guy drink. Almost exactly six years after the publication of  The Quintessential Chocolate Vodka – Chocolodka, banana-infused Jameson takes its place as the suave companion to the more rambunctious Chocolodka.

The key factor in this decision? Well, banana-infused Jameson merits the same praise I’ve often applied to Chocolodka – both are

intoxicatingly delicious and deliciously intoxicating

The Source

As one might infer from the description, banana-infused Jameson originated in a cosmopolitan but adventuresome restaurant located in that cosmopolitan but adventuresome city, New York.

According to Monkeying With Whiskey by Kevin Sintumuang (Wall Street Journal, March 16, 2012), Marc Forgione of Restaurant Marc Forgione was first taken by peach-infused Jameson but it was when bananas were substituted for peaches that “a cult hit was born.” The WSJ piece notes

By 5:30 on any given day, half the bar will have a rocks glass full of the stuff in hand. It even caps off the tasting menu. As one of the Michelin-starred restaurant’s best-selling items, about 18 liters of the libation is produced daily.

The article also offers a useful description of the drink’s effect:

“It’s hard for the average person to taste a spirit without being overwhelmed,” said Mr. Conway. “This lets them decipher them in a really approachable, enjoyable way.” In other words, if you never liked Jameson, you’ll love banana-infused Jameson—the fruit softens everything about the spirit without changing the profile or delivering much sting or burn. Viscous and a tad sweet, the drink skews a bit toward the desserty side—like a liquid version of banana bread pudding—but no one’s going to scoff if you have one pre-dinner.

 The Recipe

The article offers only an approximation of the restaurant’s secret formula, but taste tests by the usual Heck Of A Guy suspects confirm that the results are outstanding:

Banana-Infused Jameson

Ingredients:

• Three bananas, peeled and sliced

• One 750ml bottle Jameson Irish Whiskey

Directions: Place bananas and Jameson into a sealed container for three to four days. Strain out banana slices using a mesh strainer and discard. The infusion should be slightly viscous and cloudy—this gives the drink its unique texture, body and flavor. Pour infused Jameson back into container or bottle. Serve in a rocks glass with a single cube.

Mitch Watkinhs - Photo from YouTube video

Mitch Watkins Returns To 1st Leonard Cohen Tour In 27 Years

The implications of posts yesterday at Greetings From Camp Cohen that (1) “there might be a couple fresh faces” in the 2012 Old Ideas Touring Band and (2) Mitch Watkins was at the Tour rehearsal site (see photo left, captioned “Hattie Webb can’t get enough of veteran tour mates Mitch Watkins and Roscoe Beck as they relive past LC campaigns through newly surfaced and hilariously incriminating photos of the ‘79/’80 LC tours which produced the “Field Commander Cohen” live record.”) were realized late last night when a LeonardCohenForum post by Jarkko Arjatsalo confirmed that

Mitch Watkins has joined the band. He has toured with Leonard in 1979, 1980, and 1985. …

Mitch will be on the guitar. Bob Metzger cannot go on tour because of health issues.

Those who follow DrHGuy may also recall Watkins from this photo published May 1, 2012 under the aegis, “The Elegant Stylings Of Leonard Cohen, Mitch Watkins, & Roscoe Beck.”

Left to right: Leonard Cohen, Mitch Watkins, Charles Roscoe Beck (1980).  Mitch Watkins was the guitarist and Roscoe Beck the bass player and band leader for Leonard Cohen’s band for the 1979-1985 Tours. Photo by Alberto Manzano. Contributed by Dominique BOILE.

Watkins is also seen in this 1985 video of Leonard Cohen and the band performing Dance Me To The End Of Love perform on Australian television.

Leonard Cohen’s Jukebox

Biggest Influence on My Music – The jukebox. I lived beside jukeboxes all through the fifties. … I never knew who was singing. I never followed things that way. I still don’t. I wasn’t a student of music; I was a student of the restaurant I was in — and the waitresses. The music was a part of it. I knew what number the song was.

- Leonard Cohen (Yakety Yak by Scott Cohen, 1994)

Leonard Cohen’s Jukebox: Over the years, Leonard Cohen has mentioned a number of specific songs he favors. Leonard Cohen’s Jukebox is a Heck Of A Guy feature that began collecting these tunes for the edification and entertainment of viewers on April 4, 2009; Otis Redding’s “These Arms” is the 33rd entry in this category. All posts in the Leonard Cohen’s Jukebox series can be found at the Leonard Cohen’s Jukebox Page.

 It’s Coming From The Silence On The Dock Of The Bay

In addition to that allusion in the above heading to Otis Redding’s “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” in the lyrics of “Democracy,” Leonard Cohen noted his fondness for a specific song by Redding in an interview with Dev Sherlock, published under the title, Leonard Cohen, in Musician Magazine, November, 1993, when he responded to the query, “Who currently blows you away as a songwriter?”

This isn’t quite the moment to ask me, because I’ve been on the road for a long time and one’s disinterest in music becomes Himalayan in proportion. But, you know, if I hear George Jones singing “Grand Tour,” it can blow me away. If I hear Otis Redding singing “These Arms.” 

“These Arms of Mine” was Otis Redding’s first single on Stax, released on his debut album, Pain in My Heart, in 1964.

Otis Redding – These Arms Of Mine

Update: If this video does not play within the embedded player, it can be watched at YouTube.