The Cumbrae Contemporary Poetry Society recently presented a talk on the work of the poet, songwriter, artist, musician and writer, Leonard Cohen.
Opening poems were read by Bill Whiland, Jim Hardie and Bill Douglas and then Keith MacIvor using Cohen’s incredible lyrics and song lead a tribute to the great man.
Leonard Cohen passed away in November 2016 at the age of 82.
Giving a presentation on Cohen's illustrious work, Keith MacIvor said: "From a teenager in Montreal, coming from a well to do Jewish family, he played the clarinet and guitar forming a group, ‘The Buckskin’ boys who played line-dance music.
"For around thirty years he was a writer and poet, influenced by the poets, Lorca, Whitman, Yeats, Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac and Frank O’Hara, only breaking into music fame when the well established Judy Collins included his song ‘Suzanne’ on one of her albums.
"He toured the world with his incredible blend of cuttingly clear lyrics and distinctive voice that dissected the boundaries of love, society, politics and all manner of relationships.
"His song ‘Hallelujah’ although rejected by his record company in 1984 has gone on to international popularity and been recorded many times over by a huge array of renowned artists.
"Cohen is the epitome of endurance. Most artists fade as they get older while he produced two of his best albums, ‘Popular Problems,’ and ‘You want it darker,’ the latter coming out weeks before his death.
He did not have it easy. He had basically retired but in 1999 had his wealth taken by his manager, Kelley Lynch and although winning in court had to go back out on the road to make a living again as he was bankrupt.
"Cohen was a depressive but said that he used his Zen training to help survive mentally. He said living for years as a monk, doing basic tasks, kept him grounded.
The multi-award winning performer never lost his basic faith in Judaism, and struggled with the suffering and inequality of people around the world. He wanted to make a difference and his music certainly did and does.
"Cohen was a ‘Tower of Song,’ and will be sadly missed."
The Contemporary Poetry Society of Cumbrae would like to thank those who came to the talk, especially those who came all the way from Glasgow.