Quick advice please?!

[wizard]

Hi Guys,

Huge Leonard cohen fan, seeing him in birmingham in a couple of weeks time but i'm just starting out as a beginner really. Got most (but not yet all) of his albulms.

My question is which biography (book) is the best one for me to get to read?? I'm looking to buy one today.

Also, I've only got the "I'm your man" DVD, which is obviously mostly covers. Surely there must be good original DVDs out there which I can purchase of Leonard in concert or participating in some kind of documentary (i.e. "Dont Look Back" style). Any recommendations really apprieciated.

And quick responses really apprieciated too as I am in a internet cafe and looking to purchase from Amazon as we speak!!

Cheers guys and thanks a lot!

Stu

P.S. Sorry if this is in the wrong place but it is my 1st post..

[lonndubh]

Hi Wizard
hope its not too late
I enjoyed Various Positions
And I mean the book ---Well today anyway .......

PS The magazine Mojo have a good article and free CD on LC in the Dec edition which is in the shops now

[John Etherington]

"Various Positions" by Ira Nadel is the best biography, though I'm not too sure of its current availability. However there are different editions listed on Amazon at various prices. Astonishingly, there are very few official DVDs concerning Leonard, and none in concert. The closest thing to a "Don't Look Back" style documentary is Tony Palmer's movie "Bird on a Wire", which is unavailable partly due to the absence of a high quality master. There was a great BBC film "Songs From a Life" which will hopefully be re-released on DVD. "Ladies and Gentleman - Mr.Leonard Cohen" is available, and worth having if you're interested in his poetry career prior to music life. The official concert DVD (O2 July 2008) is scheduled for release in March.

All the best, John E

[alphaeus1]

The BBC film "Songs From a Life" comes up on Ebay every now and again, In video format: Its an excellent documentary.