the one show

[burningviolin]

Oh I dunno I don't think there is any need to go quite so far as to threaten the poor girl with violence!! She may be a bit of a twit but I suppose she can't help it?! Anyway, let me play the devils advocate here and say I think her version of Hallelujah is quite acceptable up to about 1:50 (ok so after 1:50 it does grate on the nerves quite a bit ). But to be fair she may not be a poet, she may not know or care about the depth of the lyrics but I think its fair to say, LC writes a mean tune as well as some good lines and for me, Hallelujah has such a really beautiful melody and chord structure that I would love to hear it as an orchestral instrumental as well.

I also have to admit her making it to number 1 in the charts last Christmas with Jeff Buckleys and LC's version charting as well made me take some more notice of LC and look him up on youtube and go and buy the essential LC...and the rest as they say is history! Here I am after THE best summer I've ever passed, a changed person having witnessed 5 concerts and made loads of new friends here on the forum and getting to meet everyone in Barcelona too...I guess you could say the woman has had only a positive effect on me...well...up as far as 1:50!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsuXbkrA_AQ (click link with caution if you really don't like Alexandra Burke...or better yet don't.)

[bridger15]

Thank you to everyone on his thread for making me laugh and laugh and laugh.
After the long months of tension over the viscious Israel bashing and crying for days since before the Tel Aviv concert, I really needed to laugh.

How very clever you all are. Delightful posts.

BRAVO!

[Yorkshire Lad]

I also have to admit her making it to number 1 in the charts last Christmas with Jeff Buckleys and LC's version charting as well made me take some more notice of LC and look him up on youtube and go and buy the essential LC...and the rest as they say is history! Here I am after THE best summer I've ever passed, a changed person having witnessed 5 concerts and made loads of new friends here on the forum and getting to meet everyone in Barcelona too...I guess you could say the woman has had only a positive effect on me...well...up as far as 1:50!

Very good point . Some say everything happens for a reason and I suppose if it is Leonard's destiny to be introduced to a wider audience in this way then who am I to knock it and I assume Leonard was adequately rewarded financially for allowing her to sing the song . So you could say job done!

[sturgess66]

I was confused when I first started reading here. I thought you were talking about Delta Burke - LOL - and I was wondering why ...

I haven't heard Alexandra.

But liptrot - I'm afraid there is disturbing news to report from this side of the pond. Jason Castro who I believe was a contestant on season ate or nein of American Idol and who picked 'Hallelujah' as one of his song choices (um - you know - that "Jeff Buckley song" - and I'm quoting what Simon Cowell said on national television here - and unfortunately I was watching) - has included it on his new CD. When asked about cover songs on the album from his Idol year, Jason Castro said that he had chosen 'Hallelujah' and added "I wanted to get that out to them."

There was an article this past summer (I think from Belfast) where the writer - after after having just heard Leonard perform "Hallelujah" - said something about Simon Cowell winning a special place in hell.

Anyway - I guess recognition of ones work is good and I hope Leonard profits from this as well.

But pleeeeeeeeease (Roscoe Beck style), I hope I don't get to hear these other versions. Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeease!!!

[somewhat_nifty]

OK burningviolin - if the Hallelujah hype last Christmas helped to lead you to Leonard then I can rein in some of my scorn . It's not AB's fault anyway I suppose, she just sang what she was told, it's the cynical manipulation of the power of the song by the X Factor machine that really gets me. It's just so at odds with Leonard and his values. But what's done is done

[sallyp]

I actually liked Alexandra Burke's version (though obviously not as much as Leonard Cohen) till I saw her on the One Show.