The blog makes a slight return from hibernation this week in an abbreviated version presenting six Leonard Cohen covers by female vocalists.
First Word
WIS returns with a low-key edition following a period of absence due to the death of my sister on 18 October, after a very short illness. Susan was only 60 so her passing came as a huge shock to the family and her many, many friends. Dressed in the bright colours she loved to wear, we all came together on Wednesday this week to celebrate her life, sharing stories and memories amid much laughter and a few tears. This blog is dedicated to Susan and adds one more story that didn’t get aired on Wednesday.
The latter part of Susan’s life was impacted by mobility issues related to surgery she had as an infant to address congenital hip dislocation, a condition where the ball and socket joint of the hip does not form properly. In her later years, she dealt with her pain and decreasing mobility with characteristic tenacity – she had an inner strength and determination that I found humbling. It allowed her to live a full life, raising her children and grandchildren, working as a supply teacher and, latterly, volunteering.
Musically, Susan and I were miles apart – it was Shang-A-Lang by the Bay City Rollers that people were smiling to as they left the crematorium which probably tells you all you need to know. She was a huge fan of musicals and was very involved behind the scenes at a local theatre group. However, she gamely signed up to follow the blog but struggled to engage with it, probably for the same reason that bands split up – musical differences!
But then, out of the blue earlier this year, she told me she had downloaded the WIS Master Playlist as she had decided she was going to listen to it from start to finish in the car as she was driving over the following weeks and months. Given it had about 25 hours of music on it that she had probably never heard of, I warned her it would be a significant task. But the fortitude that she displayed in everything she did came to the fore and she ploughed through to the end. She never revealed how often she hit the skip button and I never asked. I’m just hoping that when she parked up at the theatre group or at the hospice or foodbank where she volunteered, something like Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds or The Clash was blasting from the speakers and a few heads turned in surprise…
This week’s blog is not a selection of musical theatre tunes as I wouldn’t know where to start. Some time ago, I had pencilled in a theme for this week based on the anniversary of the death of Leonard Cohen on 7 November 2016. The plan was to present six of my favourite Cohen covers by female artists interpreting the much-vaunted poet’s words and music. When I listened to the tracks again tonight they had an underlying melancholy vibe that has matched my feelings over the last couple of weeks as I start to get used to my sister’s passing. So, although the songs don’t relate at all to Susan, I am going to run with them this week.
You will see that I have spared you all from my usual endless wittering about each track this week, simply presenting my favourite lines from each song for you to listen out for as the songs play. As with previous themes like this, the cover version and the original source artwork are presented, along with a link to the original version of the song.
Avalanche – Aimee Mann (2020)
Original: Songs Of Love And Hate (1971)
Lyric:
I stepped into an avalanche
It covered up my soul
When I am not this hunchback that you see
I sleep beneath the golden hill
You who wish to conquer pain
You must learn, learn to serve me well
Tower Of Song – Marianne Faithfull (1999)
Original: I’m Your Man (1988)
Lyric:
I said to Hank Williams, how lonely does it get?
Hank Williams hasn’t answered yet
But I hear him coughing all night long
A hundred floors above me in the Tower of Song
So Long, Marianne (Live) – Courtney Barnett (2019)
Original: Songs Of Leonard Cohen (1967)
Lyric:
Your letters they all say that you’re beside me now
Then why do I feel so alone?
I’m standing on a ledge and your fine spider web
Is fastening my ankle to a stone
The Stranger Song – Emmylou Harris (1995)
Original: Songs Of Leonard Cohen (1967)
Lyric:
I hate to watch another tired man lay down his hand
Like he was giving up the holy game of poker
And while he talks his dreams to sleep
You notice there’s a highway
That is curling up like smoke above his shoulder
Yes, it’s curling just like smoke above his shoulder.
Everybody Knows – Concrete Blonde (1994)
Original: I’m Your Man (1988)
Lyric:
Everybody knows that the dice are loaded
Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed
Everybody knows the war is over
Everybody knows the good guys lost
Everybody knows the fight was fixed
The poor stay poor, the rich get rich
That’s how it goes
Everybody knows
Dance Me to the End Of Love – The Civil Wars (2012)
Original: Various Positions (1984)
Lyric:
Dance me to your beauty with a burning violin
Dance me through the panic ’til I’m gathered safely in
Lift me like an olive branch and be my homeward dove
And dance me to the end of love
Please dance me to the end of love
Last Word
WIS is going to fully return in its normal format next Friday 15 November. In the meantime, these six tracks have been dropped into the Master Playlist. Be like Susan and stick it on in the car or in your headphones while on the train – you never know what might pop up.
AR
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