"Hallelujah"

[sinkwriter]

“It goes like this:
The fourth, the fifth,
The minor fall and the major lift…”


Today I was browsing the posts on my friends list, and came across this fascinating article as posted by emily_shore, found here. It was about the Leonard Cohen-composed song, “Hallelujah,” and all the incarnations of it as recorded by other artists.

I had no idea there were so many versions! I knew Leonard Cohen had written it, but the predominant take I'd heard was Jeff Buckley’s, as played in the background of a poignant scene during “Posse Comitatus” (final episode of season three, “The West Wing”). I happen to love that cover. The gentle, plaintive guitar … his beautifully mournful voice … how he takes his time with every single line. It’s lovely. And it fits the scene perfectly. Unoriginal choice, perhaps, and apparently overplayed, as the article points out -- though thankfully I hadn’t heard it before I saw that episode of West Wing -- but to me that doesn’t matter because it works.

Anyway, reading that article got me to thinking about all the different covers of the song, and one I heard recently that I’d forgotten about. I can’t believe I did, actually, because it’s so gorgeous. Singer k.d. lang performed it about a month ago on “Good Morning, America,” as part of a promotion for her latest album.

I admit, I don’t usually listen to her music very often. I love certain songs on “Ingénue” and “Drag,” but for the most part I need to be in a very laid-back mood to listen to her stuff. It’s either too slow or too country for me. No judgment; it’s just not usually my style.

However, I do think her talent is unquestionable. It’s rare that a singer holds me spellbound, but she’s one of them. And when I saw her perform “Hallelujah” on “Good Morning, America,” I didn’t move until she was done and the segment was over. I savored every note. Her take on the song may not have been unusual, but her singing was flawless. Passionate. Like decadent chocolate -- rich and silky smooth. I loved it.

And as a vocalist myself, I respect her immensely. She’s an amazing singer.

I can’t seem to find her performance from GMA, but I did find a live rendition from “the Max Sessions” at the Sydney Opera House. If you want to hear a beautifully heartfelt version of this song, check it out on YouTube at this link: k.d. lang singing “Hallelujah” (Sydney Opera House, 2005). It deserves to be seen and heard.

I hope you enjoy. :)

Comments

[kimberkatie.livejournal.com]

Ooh! Very interesting. I'll check out that article a little later, but I love that song! I heard it first as a cover done by a Belgian band, k's Choice. It was a live version that someone had ripped and uploaded, where I snagged it. It's a very interesting version, very gorgeous, yet dark. The band is fronted by a brother-sister duo, but the sister does most of the vocals. For this song, though, the brother led, which was very rare, but beautiful just the same.

[krazykitkat.livejournal.com]

That cover sounds interesting (I love k's Choice "Not an Addict").

[krazykitkat.livejournal.com]

I loved her cd "Hallelujah" came from, Hymns of the 49th Parallel. Also particularly loved her cover of Joni Mitchell's A Case of You.

[sinkwriter.livejournal.com]

I'd be curious to hear that version, Kimber. I'm familiar with k's Choice because they sang "Virgin State of Mind" on the first Buffy the Vampire Slayer soundtrack, but I admit I haven't heard any of their other songs. Your description intrigues me.

Thanks for popping by! :)

Hope things are looking brighter this week, after all you've been going through. *hugs*

[sinkwriter.livejournal.com]

*bounces happily*

Kat, it's great to 'see' you here! :)

I haven't heard that CD -- you love it overall, or just that particular song? I'll have to look up that Joni Mitchell cover; it sounds interesting! Thanks for the recommendations.

P.S. I just read your latest post. I hope you get much better rest tonight. I know of the beast called Insomnia; he is not my friend. In fact, I'd prefer it if he went away and never returned. The rat bastard! ;)

[lorelei633.livejournal.com]

Ahh, beautiful! I love k.d. lang. Thanks for posting this! :)

[sinkwriter.livejournal.com]

She has such phenomenal breath support and phrasing control. I definitely pay attention to that, and cannot say enough how strong a vocalist she is, very talented.

Glad you liked it, Lorelei! Thanks for stopping by to visit. :D

[kimberkatie.livejournal.com]

HEY! I keep forgetting that you were a Buffy fan, too. That's actually where I discovered k's Choice! I loved their performance on the show (the band "played" at The Bronze in an early episode), and then got the soundtrack and loved the song. I've gotten all of their albums to date (except the compilation one), and last I heard Sarah (the female lead) had gone off to have a solo career.

As I said, their cover of "Hallelujah" is really different because Gert (Sarah's brother) sings most of it, and she just joins in at the end. But it's beautiful. I've uploaded it for you here. It's in MP3 format, so hopefully that works for you.

[sinkwriter.livejournal.com]

Oh yes! Buffy and Angel. I watched 'em both. (Actually, oddly enough, I started with Angel first, and then backtracked to Buffy when they started doing crossover episodes and I needed to check out that show in order to know what was going on.) I have all the seasons on DVD.

*ponders this* Wow, it's been a long time since I've watched those. Probably at least a year, or more by now. I've been concentrating on other shows (heh, like Bones). I'll have to dust those discs off and revisit them when I'm able. I miss that wonderfully witty dialogue. And Xander. ;D

As for the k's Choice link -- it worked great! You're right; it's an unusual cover of the song, especially that end section, but I like it. Thanks for sending it! I love to check out music I haven't had the opportunity to experience before.

[kimberkatie.livejournal.com]

I started with Buffy, when I caught the Halloween ep where they turn into their costumes (one lonely Halloween night). It made me laugh, so I tuned in from then on. When Angel started, I watched that one too, but remembered Buffy always being my passion. Then things got strange, the writers (as usual) messed things up with my people (I LOVED Xander!! Nick Brendon made an appearance on Criminal Minds this season, and he was awesome! I just heard that his character will be returning for a few more eps, too!!). So in essence, I didn't much care for the 7th season.

But I've recently bought S1 and S2 of Angel on DVD, and am AMAZED at it! The episodes, storylines, and demons are just so well written ... and the dialogue! Oh my. It's great. I just caught the ep where Lorne appeared (LOVED Lorne!), and am now waiting for the appearance of Fred.