SONG OF LEONARD COHEN, THE (TV)
Summary
This made-for-television documentary profiles Canadian singer and songwriter Leonard Cohen. As the narrative begins, Cohen performs at a concert in Paris and thanks fans for their years of devotion, then sings "Bird on the Wire." At his apartment in one of Montreal's immigrant-populated neighborhoods, Cohen strums the guitar, talks about his neighbors, and translates a French song from his tape recorder. In the studio, Cohen sings "There Is a War," then explains the meaning behind the composition's lyrics. Next, he describes the contents of his apartment and his sketches of the female body, which leads to a discussion about his "obsession with women." Back in the studio, Cohen sings "Lover Lover Lover" as family photographs are shown. After telling anecdotes about his grandparents, Cohen details how his late father Nathan was one of the first Jewish commissioned officers in the Canadian army, seguing to the song "Field Commander Cohen." On his tour bus (to promote his 1979 "Recent Songs" album), Cohen discusses when he is "most complete." In concert, he sings "I Tried to Leave You," after which he talks about his oldest friend, artist Mort Rosengarten; sister, Esther; and late mother, Masha. In a Montreal coffee shop where he often breakfasts, Cohen details the importance of learning from the past. In concert, Cohen sings "Won't You Let Me See," after which he tells of working with music impresario Phil Spector and his admiration for singer Frankie Laine. He then explains how and why he wrote the song "Suzanne" before performing it. Cohen hosts poet Irving Layton in his apartment, during which Layton reads the title piece from Cohen's book of poetry, "Death of a Lady's Man." Back in concert, Cohen sings "The Window," followed by "Why Don't You Try." Next, he performs "So Long, Marianne," accompanied by photos of the song's namesake, Marianne Jensen, the ex-wife of a friend with whom he once lived on the Greek island Hydra. Cohen tells how living in Greece before he became famous was more enjoyable than the subsequent decades in which he'd found "success." In concert, Cohen sings "A Singer Must Die," followed by "The Gypsy's Wife." He explains how "Gypsy" paralleled the breakup of his marriage to artist Suzanne Elrod. Photos show Elrod with the couple's two children, Adam and Lorca. Cohen then recalls his romantic relationship with Janis Joplin at New York City's Chelsea Hotel, seguing to his performance of "Chelsea Hotel No. 2." Next, Cohen discusses the synagogue-based components of his song "Who by Fire," which he subsequently performs. Accompanied by footage of Cohen with fans, he sings "The Guests," followed by "Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye" to conclude his concert.
Details
- NETWORK: CBC (Canada)
- DATE: November 30, 1979
- RUNNING TIME: 1:27:48
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:72888
- GENRE: Music; Arts documentaries
- SUBJECT HEADING: International Collection - Canada; Music, popular (songs, etc.)
- SERIES RUN: CBC (Canada) - TV, 1980
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Harry Rasky … Producer, Director, Writer
- Leonard Cohen … Performer
- Sharon Robinson … Singer
- Jennifer Warnes … Singer
- Adam Cohen
- Esther Cohen
- Lorca Cohen
- Masha Cohen
- Nathan Cohen
- Suzanne Elrod
- Marianne Jensen
- Janis Joplin
- Frankie Laine
- Irving Layton
- Mort Rosengarten
- Phil Spector