Leonard Cohen talks about the poetic mind, 1966: CBC Archives | CBC
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 เม.ย. 2010
- In this clip from 1966, a young Leonard Cohen explores the roots of his poetry with CBC-TV host Adrienne Clarkson. In this excerpt from Take 30, Cohen rejects the notion of artistic posterity and says "I'm not interested in an insurance plan for my work". For more classic clips, go to www.cbc.ca/archives
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Leonard Cohen talks about the poetic mind, 1966: CBC Archives | CBC
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It should be noted that, 33 years later, that interviewer became Canada's 26th Governor General. Huge meeting of the minds, this interview.
Wow... Thanks for that info
Two intelligent people in conversation. Refreshing.
he has this kind of charm that is not just because of his beauty but he is so lovely, so calm
“I’m not interested in posterity, which is a paltry form of eternity”... beautiful
"Everything keeps on going or it stops, but, you know when you're happy, there's been so much talk about the mechanics of happiness, psychiatry and pills, positive thinking and ideology but i really think the mechanism is there, all it takes is to get quiet for a moment and you know where you are" - Leonard Cohen
💗💫🕊🌦🌱🥰⚖️😍🌳🌎🐬🌌💗
I love the way people used to talk. ♥️
That's not people that's Leonard and a good interviewer
i can listen to him talking all day. the man talks sense.
George MacDonald
Everyone is gushing about Cohen's great responses here, and I cannot disagree, but what about the interviewer, isn't she wonderful? A great interview, almost a conversation.
She does have an air of arrogance, however she reflects and draws out such humility in Cohen's expression in that moment... And more instructions on how to polish the soul 💕👞
Agreed. The interviewer was Adrienne Clarkson. She doesn't come across as arrogant to me, maybe in comparison to today's interviewers with their superficial questions.
Definitely agreed. I would say confident and confrontational, rather than arrogant, to choose words more wisely.
really not here to watch the interviewer . deep thinker
She's just an interviewer doing her job, we focus on the interviewee.
Btw, that interviewer, Adrienne Clarkson, wound up becoming Canada's Head of State from 1999 to 2005.
To add: in fact she liked Cohen so much that she travelled to nine concerts in four countries to attend his concerts!
Wow
not the first meeting, regarding interviews either. There is another fantastic interview she did with Leonard. Great questions, even better flirting. LOL
He constantly had a pleasant disposition, had a perpetual smile when he talked, so lovable.
Unflappable, untrappable, the master.
Well he had his moods like anyone.
@@AnnaLVajda yeah... hmmm....
His internal dialog is more critical than she could ever be. He’s used to it. This is why
,,, and having such a tough time off camera n microphone,, yet,, surely not pop in song r poem ...
" Sit quiet for a while and you'll know where you are." Great interview.
common sense.
the more I see of this man, the more lovely he becomes.
I was born in the wrong generation...even though I wasn't. but I wish I was though...
There will never be another Leonard Cohen.
There doesn't have to be. He existed.
I am grateful.
Great footage. I relish these poignant conversations.
From one creative individual to another.
everything he spits just sounds like pure poetry in his own way
he's classy as ****
"If you wanna polish other parts of yourself, you do it with poetry"
Thanks for that L. - I have to get busy "polishing". I can't wait to see you again! I'm "old" now so I don't have too long to wait.God Bless
Me too. And I’m “young”. Want to polish until I shine like the crust of this star.
@@willimwelsyn5353 Reading your reply made me watch it again. It's amazing how a "second" listen reveals so much more. L. mentioned a friend of his whom I knew, HAROLD TOWN - a painter who lived in Toronto in the 60's. I found this lovely 1/2-hour bit on him - what a delight.
I'm all excited - ALL OVER AGAIN - Thank you William!
"I don't go looking for joy. I don't look for melancholy. I don't have a program. I'm not on an archeological expedition".
Leonard Cohen
Dennis Hastings where in the video is this?
Time stamp?
@@larswilhelmsen6845 - It's not in the video. It's in a book of collected interviews with Leonard Cohen.
@@user-gr2qf1py8j - not in the video. It's in a book of interviews with Leonard Cohen that I read. Great reading. I just like to quote it.
This man is centered; he not ordinary. Of course, like so many, I never met him; but I so wish I had.
He is just so different from ordinary people! You don't find people like him anymore. He is a genius!
@@GR-zh4ol do they stick around?
he is so serene.
most sincere writer/performer I've ever seen. his integrity outclasses all the seekers after fame and celebrity. he has matured as an artist and the integrity remains. it is such a blessing that he keeps writing and recording. his dance me to the end of love was perfectly chosen for that al pacino movie..... he's so genuine, it is light bright light shining
Fox1nDen yes
Yeah real poets are compelled to write it's not about recognition so much as the muse demands you create it's an emotional alchemy.
Beautifully said.
@@bethsherdell2079 thanks Beth. have since then added another singer songwriter to this category. phenomenal authenticity in each song he has written is Johnny Depp.
The tonal dynamics of that interview fascinated me. Was Clarkson bored? Trying to zing him? Going for a "hard news piece?" especially with that drug question. She seemed intent on dichotomy, compartmentalization and hierarchies, "You're not writing novels or poems but songs so you MUST like songwriting better." Yeesh. Leonard is like "Sistuh, it's all integrated and it's allllllllllllllllllllllll good." Love his chill vibe.
agreed. very thoughtful comment
Gina Greenlee
I think there was an electric vibe going on. She's brilliant and self possessed, but look at 5:45 -- the ear pulling. He makes her a little nervous. I don't sense anything negative from her. I think they really like each other. It would be fun to ask her. =)
She inducted him into the Canadian Songwriter's Hall of Fame. It was a beautiful introduction. They seemed to have a great respect for each other.
There's another way to read this interview. People are forgetting that by this time Cohen is a minor celebrity, so he tosses out these seemingly disparaging lines about poetry (like shoe shine instructions) and Adrienne Clarkson, playing the "square" media journalist, joins in the fun. Clarkson was the first Asian journalist in Canada, and certainly one of the most important woman journos in Canada at this time. Her family had escaped Japanese occupied Hong Kong during WWII. She is quite complicit in setting up Cohen's rebel image in this clip. Cohen is very charming and insightful here, but Clarkson asks the right questions, Clarkson is the "straightman" to Cohen's poetic one liners. They are both performing.
for the people hating on the interviewer, don’t you think this interview still allowed leonard to give thoughtful and interesting responses? isn’t that more important than looking for flaws?
Al Pacino and Leonard Cohen look so eerily similar! ♥️
If someone told me that Leonard Cohen, Al Pacino and Dustin Hoffman were brothers I definitely would believe it! Leonard looks like he could be their older brother
He looks a lot like Dustin Hauffman, but he doesn’t look like Al Pacino at all
He already had so much wisdom. What a wonderful, complex, lovable human being.
This is such a Slick interview with Cohen... He did Great... He came back with a very Soulful and Intelligent answer for every question.. No matter how "sinister" the questions were coming at him..... This interview is Classic. Excellent view of the soul of Leonard Cohen.
If you want to polish other parts of yourself you do it with poetry
such a brilliant man with a vision.. may you rest in peace
He was the epitome of a beautiful mind. He SAW things in ways that beggar the mind. I can't write poetry, but I think I can appreciate it and oh how I appreciated that man's life and works.
Nicely said. Thank you. Only listening to Leonard Cohen I feel like English is my first language, (which is not) I feel astounded and hypnotized. I have always been amazed with his beautiful mind and and his one of a kind way of speaking and expressing the mind. He never wasted a word. It's like an honor to live in the same era.
Marita, did you find him at last? ;) Sorry but I just couldn't help it, you are the only Marita I've ever "known" apart from the one in his poem.
nichtmich
Luisa Ortigosa Cute comment.🖤🖤
man was a genius, hugely under rated.
love from your own montreal mr cohen
omg, I was watching another documentary from 1989, and it is this same interviewer, Adrienne Clarkson and they look like old friends!! she knows his work so well and I just love them together!
They were young friends in this interview - old friend in 1989 ... !
What a beautiful soul Leonard is, and it seems he has always been ♡
I will miss your great voice an your human being
what an amazing interview, most people at this time in art and culture would go out and talk like this and say absolutely nothing, but he was truly interesting.
what a brilliant guy
His body oozes LOVE!
very astute and genuine interest from this lady,nice work.Oh and hi Leonard!
That opting out statement about the astronauts' is brilliant.
..so glad to have found such an old video with Cohen talking!
..thanks for sharing!
The interviewing woman seems quite sharp too!
She'd become the governor general in 1999!
I was thinking the same thing. She's excellent!
l find her quite cold.
@@vylinful3198 of where?
@@89ksokd91 Canada! Until 2005
On Nov.23, The New York Times reviewed SYLVIA SIMMONS new biography on LC...Thanks to that, I:m discovering this wonderful performer - but then, Im only 75!--HE kept so positive and mellow (shadows of the seventies!) on this particular interview...and inspiration and in top of that, he's a lovely poet...Thanks so much for the video. It too, had aged on gentle form.
I love to hear this slower speech. It is very relaxing.
Beautiful mr. Cohen...
what a great guy , i love what he said about happiness
brave and poetic man.
Love how he finishes with Dylan : ) Great guy.. Leonard.
I love how he quoted Dylan.
Great interviewer ....Adrienne Clarkson...The dynamics between the two tells so much....The 60's are full of much to be dissected
I love the depth he gently floors her with.
1:07 Either she asked a bad question OR he came back with a good answer!! Either way he was so bright and intelligent way back then.
"There is a nice balance as if you are sitting in the centre of your own orbit. Or as Dillon said, "You fade into your own parade"" .. I could listen to him all day. A true poet in every way .. such truthfulness .. such brilliance .. what a genuine beautiful soul
agreed.... he was quoting Bob Dylan there with that line from Mr Tambourine Man
8:15 - the end
oh leonard... what patience. thank you for you.
I do not get the hate being shot at the interviewer, she likes him, being a bit coy. Watch her eyes. She loves Leonard
We see what we are
The interviewer is very sharp….she‘s really on the ball
Funny how so many intellectuals at the time did not understand his brilliance. What day recognized as arrogance was just truthfulness in the retrospect of time.
Rest finally my friend of friends.
What an outstanding human being ! Honest inside ...in his mind and soul This interview is a revelation for me. By now I know that most of your dreams weren't fulfilled nevertheless I thanks God you could teach us how to be better persons. Baruch ha Shem Amen
Brilliant! Thanks for posting.
Fantastic!
Excellent!
Great to see this. I was 2 years old when this was recorded. I caught up with the genius of Leonard Cohen much later in my life
"God is alive. Magic is afoot. God is alive. Magic is afoot. God is afoot. Magic is alive. Alive is afoot. Magic never died. God never sickened. Many poor men lied. Many sick men lied. Magic never weakened. Magic never hid. Magic always ruled. God is afoot. God was ruler though his funeral lengthened. Though his mourners thickened Magic never fled..."
It's so nice to have a wonderful person to admire. You are a great man Leonard Cohen.
The Mick
What is this a quote from?
+Todd Shafer "Beautiful Losers"
It's a song. I think Buffy St. Marie sang it.
Barbara Last yes Buffy did sing that
Cant believe i met him after a concert UK 72 he was boarding his tour bus alone & i offered him a paper cup of wine & he simply said thany my friend R.I.P. dear leonard .
I love this man.
I love Leonard Cohen
so sweet
LOve it!
All great supporters of the arts! That's reassuring.I guess we're all safe then you all by being art lovers
I miss the old interviews from back in day, they just let people talk. I don‘t know why that is, but it seems to me that people nowadays feel the need to say „funny“ things all the time and do unnecessary, ridiculous stuff in order to entertain people. And I‘m 17 and not 80 or something
I agree. I also think it’s to do with the different levels of reflection and contemplation of the era’s. Now we seem too distracted to stop and think very deeply so entertainment seems easier unfortunately.
Spot on. Trust me you are not the only one who is wondering about the same.
You are correct. We have shorter attention spans now, less willingness to listen and delve into something. People want to be entertained; we are addicted to dopamine and instant gratification 😑
A young Leonard. RIP.
Excellent interviewer!!!!
Music today needs more in the way of poetry.
Im all in one place...god love him
There are a lot of references to "Town" in this interview. They are in reference to Toronto abstract expressionist artist Harold Town, who was the dernier cri at the time.
He just stumbles upon what he does. What better way is there to look at it?
Along with Al Pacino and Dustin Haufman i have a dear friend who is uncannily similar in appearance to Leonard… there’s an old picture of him from the late 60s that i actually though was Leonard it’s that close. Leonard wonderful mind and legend
"You know when you are happy"
The self aware do.
"Built in obsolescence " man he knew it all, RIP Leonard
full of amazing one-liners, but none of them are just one-liners
He reminds me of Robert Zimmerman, quiet and polite and kind of witty, but his music, like Bobbies is full of imagery and tears and lightning thoughts of insight.
wow, soooo young, a kid almost
thx :)
What a fantastic interview, her questions were just objective and interrogative enough to draw out a good selection of responses
Great Job Adrienne !
Gosh, how time changes us! Marianne Ihlen was right. He was quite handsome in his youth. Not just charming & intense.
@JacquesBrel11 my question exactly... where's the rest! or at least the awkward transition to commercial or end of the program...
Leonard was a genius...listen to this and I can tell you a tale too... about polishing shoes...read my book... published soon...I knew Leonard also Bob ...the greatest Dylan.m...I can recommend Blowing in the Wind....this is something I need to say...I did not have a childhood my mum couldn't cope ..so I started reading writing and this book of mine is for my grandchildren...flower power and the sixties ..this is dedicated to all of you ..money is nothing when you're dead ..all we take with us our memories...this is such a brilliant interview...
Hallelujah Leonard... Suzanne ..plus in later years...as the last words says .. according to Bob Dylan...my hero...the answer my friends is Blowing in the wind
That's the woman who, in another interview, 20 years later, becomes his editor, friend, as seen in another interview I watched. It could have been the documentary on BBC.
Wow
comparing poetry to polishing shoes is such a poetic thing to do
"Everyone's on the crust of this star..."
I wish this was 4 hours long
The interviewer is envious . Looking around and fidgeting while he speaks and threw in a few smiles to kinda win him over towards the end but he wasn't biting . He is a class act and I suppose it begs the question who knows who she is or gives a shit
Well that's Adrienne Clarkson who later became the Governor General of Canada
CallumEllisMennie That is interesting! I didn't know, but I thought she seemed unusually smart, and with a very logical brain, or so it seems to me. He, on the other hand, does not really make much logical sense in what he is saying,. He seems to be just saying what pops into his head and what sounds nice, and perhaps feels true to him, but there is often very little logical connection at all in what he says. It is more like free association, just like a lot of his poems and lyrics. I do really love his songs and his voice, and I don't think that kind of vagueness and associative leaps are a weakness in his art (rather I think it might actually be one of the keys to his success), but I would not have had much patience with that "foggy" way of talking in the "real world". And I admire her for not letting him get entirely away with it. 'Cause it is easy to get "seduced" by that voice and his evocative way of speaking and his poetic language, and confused by the way he pretends he is making logical sense when he actually doesn't. It's kind of like he is faking, hiding behind his words. He seemed to get so much clearer as he grew older.
Ronan D I noticed that also... but envious isn't the word I would use.
mailill Yes well don't we all get clearer as we get older? The fact that she became some type of politician in Canada doesn't impress me one bit. But HE DOES.
Ummm well that woman became the Governor General of Canada later on you ignorant oof. And I didn't see her as envious. I think she handled the interview rather well.
Hes so young
Ah the gentlemanly resilience against what society would otherwise have pigeonholed us into... ''Fade into your own parade''
Als das unterview aufenommen wurde, war er mit der norwegerin zusammen. Er strahlt soviel zufriedenheit aus.
I think she fancies him! Great interview x
"Yes Mrs Robinson"
“That the Poetic Genius is the true Man. and that the body or outward form of Man is dervied from the Poetic Genius. Likewise that the forms of all things are derived from their Genius. which by the Ancients was call’d Angel & Spirit & Demon.”
-William Blake
Back when people could have a conversation.
I love the way Cohen took all the feigned wise questions of Adrienne Clarkson and unmasked her for the pseudo-intellectual that she was and is. Cohen was amazingly deep and smart.
That's the woman who, in another interview, 20 years later, becomes his editor, friend
Love does that
I'm sure Leonard would have been a wonderfully successful architect or absolutist head of government. He believed genius did not need knowledge. The wokie kids of today should adopt him as their mascot.
RIP