🎸 TREE 132: Leonard Cohen’s 80s moment

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Leonard Cohen’s masterpiece ‘Hallelujah’ is almost terrible. This, of course, is highly subjective, but it is my opinion nonetheless. Now, Jeff Buckley’s version – OOF! It is timeless and even legendary.

It is the same song, same lyrics, and the same chord progression, but it came to life in new ways for me when Jeff Buckley got his hands on it. In fact, part of the brilliance of Buckley’s version is that he could see his own take of the song through Cohen’s cheesy keyboards, pitchy vocals, and 80s drum sounds.

Sometimes we are the ones to have the idea. Sometimes we are the ones to implement it. We don’t have to do both, and oftentimes, maybe we shouldn’t. Is there someone who is more suited to carry out your idea? It won’t take anything away from you. In fact it could make you look like a genius.

This week’s guest author is Steven Lee Tracy, Producer/Engineer/Mixer/Composer/Owner of Saint Cecelia Studios in Tucson, Arizona.

While this is fresh in your mind, what is your favourite cover that surpassed the original? Let us know in the comments. If there are enough answers, we could end up with a nice playlist.

Grow slowly
Jeff