Sylvie Simmons

This was an interesting experience because I was definitely not the intended audience - not only was I not one of Leonard Cohen's legions of fans, I'd never even heard of him until picking up the book. Why I picked up the book in the first place is a bit of a mystery, really. Maybe it was just pure voyeuristic impulse, the joy of crawling through someone's life and turning over all the stones. The position of un-anticipation, of not being able to say "well we're in 1973 so pretty soon THIS must happen" or "when is he finally going to write THAT ONE song", was refreshing. It left me completely open for whatever came along, at whatever pace and in whatever detail it chose.

Partway through the book I listened to one of the famous old Leonard Cohen songs, and then put on an album of his hits to understand better what the book was describing. I can't say that it did anything for me, but the book was still enjoyable through to the very last page.… (mere)

An evening out for Paul Bryant. Ian Bell was in town to open a display of his photography of rock musicians and I was lucky enough to get to talk to him.

Paul, I’m sure you are going to want to start with the bad news.


Me: Have you photographed Leonard Cohen?

Yes, a few times?

Me: And Bob Dylan?

Maybe half a dozen.

Me: What do you think of Dylan’s concerts?

Picture being at a Heston Blumenthal dinner. It’s cost you $500. The table is lovely, the view gorgeous, the menu looks fantastic. And then you get served up cheese sandwiches. Not even special cheese sandwiches. Bob Dylan’s like that. All the elements are there, but you get something else. For a while I kept going to them figuring that I’d go to the right one, but there isn’t a right one. Do you know his radio show?

Me: No

He had this radio show for a long time, it was in themes and it was witty, the guy’s got a great sense of humour. But he isn’t willing to bring any of it to the table when he’s performing. He almost died in a car crash at one point and started acting like maybe presenting his music in a concert wasn’t the worst thing in the world that could happen to him. But it didn’t last for long. Meeting him was no fun either.

Me: So who do you prefer out of Dylan and Leonard Cohen?

I’m Team Leonard. Dylan gives nothing at his concerts. Leonard gives everything. He’s respectful, he’s….

Paul, I will spare you the rave review of Leonard.

You will be pleased to hear that there is good news.

The Ian Bell I talked to was erudicate and entertaining and informative….and…

is considering writing a book one day.

It was THE WRONG IAN BELL.

So you can relax. Maybe Bob’s best after all.… (mere)