Leonard Cohen: Exploring the scriptures behind Cohen’s musical pilgrimage
Harry Freedman’s diligent and lucid book examines the Jewish and Christian sources Cohen mined for his songwriting
MUSIC
Leonard Cohen: The Mystical Roots of Genius
By Harry Freedman
Bloomsbury, €20.25
Leonard Cohen’s musical career frequently tested his faith. After making his debut album in 1967, he couldn’t get an agent because he was deemed too old at 32. The first time that he played live, he got stage fright. His voice failed, he was unable to tune his guitar and halfway through his set he walked off.
Cohen’s song Hallelujah has become ...