"The Fourth, The Fifth, The Minor Fall": BBC Radio reflects so that all souls can hear it

 

Due to "technical circumstances beyond our control", namely a lack of internet connectivity, news hasn't been able to flow freely in recent weeks. Thankfully, BBC Radio 2, which broadcast its terrific documentary on the song "Hallelujah", yesterday, makes this program available online for the next week. Just click on the player below or on "The Fourth, The Fifth, The Minor Fall" to hear many facets of this Leonard Cohen creation revealed. Alongside Allison Crowe, contributors include Helen Walford, Kathryn Williams, John Lissauer (Leonard Cohen Producer), Andy Wallace (Jeff Buckley Producer), Imogen Heap, Alex Patsavas, Nicholas Baines - The Bishop of Croydon, Brandi Carlile, Jim Devlin, Christine Collister and John Walsh (Starsailor).

 

Dedicated Cohen blogger 1 Heck of a Guy, who somehow managed to synchronize his birthday with this broadcast, posts this pitch-perfect note:

 

"Warning:  Listening to this sampling of artists, critics, and other commentators talk about their perspectives on Hallelujah may put ones preconceived notions about the song at risk."

 

 

 

BBC Radio's "Hallelujah" to Leonard Cohen joins MOJO in Tribute - Nov. 1: Allison Crowe Shines On

 

This Saturday, November 1, All Saint's Day, bicoastal Canadian singer-songwriter Allison Crowe figures in a pair of major Leonard Cohen tributes - both originating in the UK.

MOJO magazine's feature issue (December cover date) on Cohen hits the stands in Europe (and will soon reach North America+), along with the special tribute CD "Cohen Covered" which contains Crowe's recording of "Joan of Arc" - a lesser-known exemplar of Leonard Cohen's poetic genius
(from his 1971 album "Songs of Love and Hate").

MOJO's tribute to "The Incredible Resurrection of Rock's Greatest Poet" contains a career retrospective, by rock historian and journalist Sylvie Simmons, alongside a separate piece by Phil Alexander, and more, with plenty of photographs plus input from Leonard Cohen himself. The tribute
CD, containing tracks from Allison Crowe, Judy Collins, Dion, Linda Thompson, Katie Melua, Nick Cave, Susanna and the Magical Orchestra, and other bright talents spanning the decades, accompanies this MOJO issue.

Also, on Saturday, November 1, from 19:00 - 20:00 London time, BBC Radio 2 broadcasts a special documentary, "The Fourth, The Fifth, The Minor Fall", celebrating "Hallelujah", Leonard Cohen much-loved modern masterpiece in popular song.

BBC reports: "Guy Garvey, front man of Mercury Award winners Elbow, examines the Leonard Cohen classic Hallelujah by talking to the artists who have covered it. Marking 25 years since Hallelujah was first recorded, Guy explains why the track has been analysed by both academics and theologists and looks at how the song has graced anything from teen dramas to Hollywood blockbusters."

Allison Crowe was interviewed for this BBC documentary, and recorded performing "Hallelujah" in Liverpool on a recent concert visit to Northern England for Beatles Week 2008 festivities. Currently, Crowe is back in North America and readying for her annual 'Tidings' holiday concert series. Between now and Christmas Day, the young artist, acclaimed as an excitingly original songwriter and performer, as well as a supreme interpreter, will perform concerts reaching from her home in Corner Brook, Newfoundland to her home in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada.