Dear heather es un álbum de Leonard Cohen, publicado en 2004 por Columbia. El disco incluye 12 canciones, entre ellas «Go no more a-roving», «Because of», «The letters» y «Undertow».
Sobre el álbum
El álbum Dear Heather, de 2004, es uno de los trabajos más experimentales y relajados de la última etapa de Leonard Cohen. En este disco, el artista se aleja de la estructura de la canción tradicional para explorar un formato más cercano a la poesía musicada. Por esta razón, es una obra de una gran libertad creativa.
Muchas de las piezas del álbum son poemas recitados sobre un colchón musical atmosférico y minimalista. Leonard Cohen musica textos propios y ajenos, como un poema de Lord Byron en "Go No More A-Roving". El disco tiene un fuerte componente literario.
El sonido del álbum, de nuevo con una fuerte presencia de su colaboradora Sharon Robinson, es suave y espacioso, con un aire de jazz y de música ambient. Mientras tanto, la voz de Cohen, cada vez más grave, se convierte en el centro de todo, un instrumento de una calidez y una profundidad hipnóticas.
"Dear Heather" es un disco íntimo y poco convencional, una obra que quizás no es para todos los públicos, pero que ofrece una fascinante visión del proceso creativo de un artista que, hasta el final, nunca dejó de explorar las fronteras entre la música y la palabra.
Listado de Canciones
- Go no more a-roving3:43
Letra
[Dedicated to Irving Layton] So we'll go no more a-roving So late into the night, Though the heart be still as loving, And the moon be still as bright. For the sword outwears its sheath, And the soul outwears the breast, And the heart must pause to breathe, And love itself have rest. Though the night was made for loving, And the day returns too soon, Yet we'll go no more a-roving By the light of the moon. - Because of3:03
Letra
Because of a few songs Wherein I spoke of their mystery, Women have been Exceptionally kind To my old age. They make a secret place In their busy lives And they take me there. They become naked In their different ways And they say, "Look at me, Leonard Look at me one last time." Then they bend over the bed And cover me up Like a baby that is shivering. - The letters4:48
Letra
You never liked to get The letters that I sent. But now you've got the gist Of what my letters meant. You're reading them again, The ones you didn't burn. You press them to your lips, My pages of concern. I said there'd been a flood. I said there's nothing left. I hoped that you would come. I gave you my address. Your story was so long, The plot was so intense, It took you years to cross The lines of self-defense. The wounded forms appear: The loss, the full extent; And simple kindness here, The solitude of strength. You walk into my room. You stand there at my desk, Begin your letter to The one who's coming next. - Undertow4:22
Letra
I set out one night When the tide was low There were signs in the sky But I did not know I'd be caught in the grip Of the undertow Ditched on a beach Where the sea hates to go With a child in my arms And a chill in my soul And my heart the shape Of a begging bowl - Morning glory3:32
Letra
No words this time? No words. No, there are times when nothing can be done. Not this time. Is it censorship? Is it censorship? No, it's evaporation. No, it's evaporation. Is this leading somewhere? Yes. We're going down the lane. Is this going somewhere? Into the garden. Into the backyard. We're walking down the driveway. Are we moving towards We're in the backyard, some transcendental moment? It's almost light. That's right. That's it. Are we moving towards some transcendental moment? That's right. That's it. Do you think you'll be able to pull it off? Yes. Do you think you can pull it off? Yes, it might happen. I'm all ears. I'm all ears. Oh the morning glory! - On that day2:06
Letra
Some people say It's what we deserve For sins against g-d For crimes in the world I wouldn't know I'm just holding the fort Since that day They wounded New York Some people say They hate us of old Our women unveiled Our slaves and our gold I wouldn't know I'm just holding the fort But answer me this I won't take you to court Did you go crazy Or did you report On that day On that day They wounded New York - Villanelle for our time5:57
Letra
From bitter searching of the heart, Quickened with passion and with pain We rise to play a greater part. This is the faith from which we start: Men shall know commonwealth again From bitter searching of the heart. We loved the easy and the smart, But now, with keener hand and brain, We rise to play a greater part. The lesser loyalties depart, And neither race nor creed remain From bitter searching of the heart. Not steering by the venal chart That tricked the mass for private gain, We rise to play a greater part. Reshaping narrow law and art Whose symbols are the millions slain, From bitter searching of the heart We rise to play a greater part. - There for you4:39
Letra
When it all went down And the pain came through I get it now I was there for you Don't ask me how I know it's true I get it now I was there for you I make my plans Like I always do But when I look back I was there for you I walk the streets Like I used to do And I freeze with fear But I'm there for you I see my life In full review It was never me It was always you You sent me here You sent me there Breaking things I can't repair Making objects Out of thoughts Making more By thinking not Eating food And drinking wine A body that I thought was mine Dressed as Arab Dressed as Jew O mask of iron I was there for you Moods of glory Moods so foul The world comes through A bloody towel And death is old But it's always new I freeze with fear And I'm there for you I see it clear I always knew It was never me I was there for you I was there for you My darling one And by your law It all was done - Dear heather3:43
Letra
Dear Heather Please walk by me again With a drink in your hand And your legs all white From the winter - Nightingale2:30
Letra
I built my house beside the wood So I could hear you singing And it was sweet and it was good And love was all beginning Fare thee well my nightingale 'Twas long ago I found you Now all your songs of beauty fail The forest closes 'round you The sun goes down behind a veil 'Tis now that you would call me So rest in peace my nightingale Beneath your branch of holly Fare thee well my nightingale I lived but to be near you Tho' you are singing somewhere still I can no longer hear you - To a teacher2:35
Letra
[Dedicated to A. M. Klein (1909-1972)] Hurt once and for all into silence. A long pain ending without a song to prove it. Who could stand beside you so close to Eden, When you glinted in every eye the held-high Razor, shivering every ram and son? And now the silent loony bin, where The shadows live in the rafters like Day-weary bats, Until the turning mind, a radar signal, Lures them to exaggerate Mountain-size on the white stone wall Your tiny limp. How can I leave you in such a house? Are there no more saints and wizards To praise their ways with pupils, No more evil to stun with the slap Of a wet red tongue? Did you confuse the Messiah in a mirror And rest because he had finally come? Let me cry Help beside you, Teacher. I have entered under this dark roof As fearlessly as an honoured son Enters his father's house. - The faith4:20
Letra
The sea so deep and blind The sun, the wild regret The club, the wheel, the mind, O love, aren't you tired yet? The club, the wheel, the mind O love, aren't you tired yet? The blood, the soil, the faith These words you can't forget Your vow, your holy place O love, aren't you tired yet? The blood, the soil, the faith O love, aren't you tired yet? A cross on every hill A star, a minaret So many graves to fill O love, aren't you tired yet? So many graves to fill O love, aren't you tired yet? The sea so deep and blind Where still the sun must set And time itself unwind O love, aren't you tired yet? And time itself unwind O love, aren't you tired yet?