This week’s Song of the Week marks the midpoint in the year, as it is number 26 of 52. In addition to posting these weekly selections, I have been creating a playlist that now stands at 2 hours and 23 minutes and concludes Part One of 2024.
To fill the last spot on the list, I have chosen an artist whose first album was released in 1967 when I was only nine. However, I got to listen to his debut album in my mid-teens, partly due to Neil Diamond covering some of his songs, and I followed his career ever since, during which he released 15 albums.
This week's song is the final, and title, track from his fifth album released in 1977 and produced (and co-written) by Phil Spectre, whose input resulted in a departure from the artist’s more usual minimalist lyrical style. I did not encounter the album at the time as I was immersed in the burgeoning punk rock scene, and I have only come across this track in the last year or so.
On first hearing it, I knew instantly who it was as he has a unique style, however, I was intrigued by the slow, churning tempo of the accompanying music and the rather strange lyrics. Also, as the song winds its way through its 9 minutes and 21 seconds it slows down and peters out on vocal waves in a typical Spectoresque soundscape!
And so here is the last song of 2024, Part One, The Death of a Ladies’ Man by “Laughing Len”, or to give his real name, Leonard Cohen!
Here is a link the the Play List if anyone wishes to listen to the tunes we have chosen during the first half of 2024:
Never been too sure about this fella, but loved this song. Thanks for the introduction!
A grand such to close side one of your selections. A few years ago, we stopped in a "pub" in the Carmargue and spent a interesting hour listening to Laughing Len's greatest hits being played on the pa system. Fantastic songs.