19 years later, in 2008, the crowd went crazy when he played this song in Berlin. It was the first of three Leonard Cohen concerts I was lucky to be at (2008 to 2010). I didn't think he'd ever go on tour again and I was overjoyed that he did. He was (and looked) much older then but the songs and his (and his band's) performance had lost none of the magic. I'm so glad I got to see him live. Love you, Leonard, thanks for the dance.
You'll see them a lot during this period of his life. Perla Batalla and Julie Christensen. They were not just eye candy - but on the recordings too. Cohen knew from near the start that he didn't want to be Bob Dylan. He had the best musicians and orchestrations and gorgeously present backup singers with standout voices. There's sometimes something personal there too. He liked even his dark music to be harmonically pretty. They define him more than he exhibits them. From Jennifer Warnes and Sharon Robinson in earlier years with Laura Branigan, The Webb Sisters and others along the way. The visual and vocal beauty to his raw singing. Sharon Robinson sang backup with Cohen on and off for 40 years. It's a deep and somewhat mysterious thing. There is a sexy magic to the Perla and Julie years for sure. Cohen's music was dangerous. Watch the Jools Holland Dance Me To The End of Love performance.
so extraordinary. so rare to see a performer carve out a space so absolutely and innovatively his own. Leonard Cohen wasn'r just a genius. He was a genre.
At 1:45 , he steps away to watch the backup singers and the expression on his face is wonderful. You can tell he’s a fan of them as as much as we’re a fan of him. Love it. Miss you dearly Leonard.
Leonard always has the best backup girls, they take his music to a whole different level. Julie Christensen and Perla Batalla (in this performance), or Sharon Robinson, or Hattie and Charley Webb (the Webb sisters) and of course Jennifer Warnes. I'm sure there are more, those are just the ones who I know so far.
killer arrangement. great vocals. for those who say cohen is not a great singer, just observe that you can understand the words! he sings with DICTION. so many singers mumble the lyric. but he's a poet and he wants people to know what he's saying and singing.
🤔 and today we beginn to understand what the meaning is, of his krypto prophesies. controled demolition - from 9/11 to covid-1984 the unknowned leonard cohanim (aron's highpriest)
I once saw a quote in which he acknowledged he didn't have a conventionally "good" singing voice, "but I like to think I have a certain way of delivering a song" - (from memory, might not be quite correct). Also, don't forget "I was born like this, I had no choice / I was born with the gift of a golden voice ", from Tower of Song. Wicked sense of humour.
"First We Take Manhattan" is a song written by Canadian singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen. It was originally recorded by American singer Jennifer Warnes on her 1986 Cohen tribute album "Famous Blue Raincoat," which consisted entirely of songs written or co-written by Cohen. So, while Leonard Cohen wrote the song, the original artist who recorded it was Jennifer Warnes.
When I a kid, I thought he was singing off key...now as an adult, I realize that voice was what made him so unique and a true artist.... love this song..RIP Leonard.
Robin KIM What a sad comment, trying to exclude someone from an emotional experience. Maybe JJ takes something away from it that you missed. Maybe you are too old.
Goosebumps at the ready! One of the most unique tunes ever. I know it's been done before by other artists but Leonards (who wrote it) version is a masterpiece. The bass, trumpet, drums & the synthesiser are pure class. The backing singers, incredible vocals & harmonies & Leonard of course is pure genius on this anthem. Was in my early 20s when I first heard this on my mates expensive stack system, the bass was phenomenal. The vibration felt like it was going to explode inside me. This anthem really touches my soul. Sassy too. Good vibes.
I was only 3 when this happened but I remember this album through out my childhood. I always loved the harmonizing of the women and Leonard's smokey voice. Yes, I had a refined taste for a kid 😂
The more cohen's music sounded like something you could hear on a cruise ship the better he got, its like it made him more playful and added a strange new depth to his music.
Dr. Manhattan, Jon Osterman, knew this song would be his theme. That was one of the reasons why Jon was and is always such a pleasant fellow who was and is so calm in any situation.
.. this makes me so mad .. !! .. this song weaves the duality and the duplicity of/between then and now .. Leonard, Bill loved you .. his apartment just down from your little house just off the Main .. full of books he'd borrowed from you .. I miss Bill .. I can't find him I miss you ..
Leonard Cohen was beyond a genius, and so was his producer, John Hammond. interestingly they shared the same social philosophy. I admire them both tremendously....this version of 'First we take Manhattan' absolutely stinks. John Hammond was born in 1910, and died in 1987.
It's taken! Have a look at the skyline as the cranes have landed. Look up at the clouds on a sunny day to see the geo-clouds forming checker boards. Where have the 70+% of dead insects gone? Where are the diversity of birds? Why has the unhealthy air been far worse than LA for many months. Why do we need to look down, is it because the sidewalks have become land mines? Why does the mayor state tourism is up, but we see less tourists and the shops on the high street are closing as fast as a Las Vegas strip mall? First they took Manhattan and now Berlin--
Too late, it happened May 1945. And again after Russia gave half back and it was lost again to the EU. Never mind, the globalists will make sure you lose it again by stealth.
There is a tragic element to it for sure. There is also an element of an uprising of the oppressed. I wonder if this and "Democracy is coming" are supposed to be together.
19 years later, in 2008, the crowd went crazy when he played this song in Berlin. It was the first of three Leonard Cohen concerts I was lucky to be at (2008 to 2010). I didn't think he'd ever go on tour again and I was overjoyed that he did. He was (and looked) much older then but the songs and his (and his band's) performance had lost none of the magic. I'm so glad I got to see him live. Love you, Leonard, thanks for the dance.
I’m a fan of Leonard’s and I know this is an old video, but those backups singers, oh, my, my, my best ever
You'll see them a lot during this period of his life. Perla Batalla and Julie Christensen. They were not just eye candy - but on the recordings too. Cohen knew from near the start that he didn't want to be Bob Dylan. He had the best musicians and orchestrations and gorgeously present backup singers with standout voices. There's sometimes something personal there too. He liked even his dark music to be harmonically pretty.
They define him more than he exhibits them. From Jennifer Warnes and Sharon Robinson in earlier years with Laura Branigan, The Webb Sisters and others along the way. The visual and vocal beauty to his raw singing. Sharon Robinson sang backup with Cohen on and off for 40 years. It's a deep and somewhat mysterious thing. There is a sexy magic to the Perla and Julie years for sure. Cohen's music was dangerous. Watch the Jools Holland Dance Me To The End of Love performance.
It is artistry such as this that keeps God from giving up on humanity.
so extraordinary. so rare to see a performer carve out a space so absolutely and innovatively his own. Leonard Cohen wasn'r just a genius. He was a genre.
At 1:45 , he steps away to watch the backup singers and the expression on his face is wonderful. You can tell he’s a fan of them as as much as we’re a fan of him. Love it. Miss you dearly Leonard.
Yes, I feel a mixture of his satisfaction at the achievement of a work surely prepared to perfection, and his pure pleasure in front of pure beauty.
Leonard always has the best backup girls, they take his music to a whole different level. Julie Christensen and Perla Batalla (in this performance), or Sharon Robinson, or Hattie and Charley Webb (the Webb sisters) and of course Jennifer Warnes. I'm sure there are more, those are just the ones who I know so far.
Yeap the sweet smack face
killer arrangement. great vocals.
for those who say cohen is not a great singer, just observe that you can understand the words! he sings with DICTION. so many singers mumble the lyric. but he's a poet and he wants people to know what he's saying and singing.
He's also a great song writer - a musical genius for melody.
Hes not a great singer, but his voice is just awesome
His voice is so seductive
🤔 and today we beginn to understand what the meaning is, of his krypto prophesies.
controled demolition - from 9/11 to covid-1984 the unknowned leonard cohanim
(aron's highpriest)
I once saw a quote in which he acknowledged he didn't have a conventionally "good" singing voice, "but I like to think I have a certain way of delivering a song" - (from memory, might not be quite correct). Also, don't forget "I was born like this, I had no choice / I was born with the gift of a golden voice ", from Tower of Song. Wicked sense of humour.
"First We Take Manhattan" is a song written by Canadian singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen. It was originally recorded by American singer Jennifer Warnes on her 1986 Cohen tribute album "Famous Blue Raincoat," which consisted entirely of songs written or co-written by Cohen. So, while Leonard Cohen wrote the song, the original artist who recorded it was Jennifer Warnes.
When I a kid, I thought he was singing off key...now as an adult, I realize that voice was what made him so unique and a true artist.... love this song..RIP Leonard.
The stars aligned for this performance. Pure perfection
this is awesome. somehow it manages to be both totally badass and incredibly cheesy. I love it.
When you feel their energy,thats it!What a fabulous group of beatiful people!!!
Great harmonies , great chemistry, great looks between the "principal actors", what a performance.
I was very fortunate, first saw him live in '88 (Toronto), this same instrumental/vocal combo. Julie and Perla killed!
do you know the full names of the backup singers on this ? think Ive seen one of them before.
and they did kill.
@@danielkokal8819 Julie Christensen, Perla Batalla.
This was the first song I ever heard by Leonard Cohen and it blew my 16-year-old brain flat against the wall behind me. I've been a fan ever since.
That is what you want, a musical memory a mark on the wall.
Robin KIM
What a sad comment, trying to exclude someone from an emotional experience. Maybe JJ takes something away from it that you missed. Maybe you are too old.
JJ Koester ml
I first heard of Leonard Cohen from this as well :-) Blew my mind, too!!!
@@hellenferguson5771 Thanks for replying! Now, I'm listening to this video again and getting that same perfect tightness in my chest.
Such a sick live version everyone kills it
Goosebumps at the ready! One of the most unique tunes ever. I know it's been done before by other artists but Leonards (who wrote it) version is a masterpiece. The bass, trumpet, drums & the synthesiser are pure class. The backing singers, incredible vocals & harmonies & Leonard of course is pure genius on this anthem. Was in my early 20s when I first heard this on my mates expensive stack system, the bass was phenomenal. The vibration felt like it was going to explode inside me. This anthem really touches my soul. Sassy too. Good vibes.
Can’t stop watching this , it’s magic
Saw him in Australia just before he passed away. Was at his brilliant best.
The best ever... i really love this song and your voices melted into one... that makes it so beautifully blended harmoniously... i miss you 3...
Will miss him, but continue to listen to his songs.
Milwaukee's own Bob Metzger on electric guitar... Happy Birthday in Heaven, Mr. Cohen...
Awesome experience listening to this live version. Great band, backup singers, and Mr. Cohen, himself, singing as only he can.
I was only 3 when this happened but I remember this album through out my childhood. I always loved the harmonizing of the women and Leonard's smokey voice. Yes, I had a refined taste for a kid 😂
Trinta anos depois que eu descubro esse cara. Muito show e as meninas cantam muito. Bravo.
A versão com Joe Cocker também é muito boa!
Toujours entourait de magnifiques voix et on sent la fierté.
Great performance! The night suits the song well..
WOW !! Now that’s music right there , and them amazing laddies fantastic
The more cohen's music sounded like something you could hear on a cruise ship the better he got, its like it made him more playful and added a strange new depth to his music.
Excelente no paro de escuchar está canción 🇲🇽🇲🇽 saludos desde Oklahoma City 🇲🇽🇲🇽👏👏👏
Such talent. Genius at work.
Eu amo essa voz, maravilhoso.❤❤❤
It's Father's Day, but all the men are wounded. He was a genius.
Dr. Manhattan, Jon Osterman, knew this song would be his theme. That was one of the reasons why Jon was and is always such a pleasant fellow who was and is so calm in any situation.
Who gives a shit?
@@peterzang You do - in the future. You just don't know it yet. Dr. Manhattan knew this all along, though.
Really nice track, LOVE the ladies and Cohens voice together, really lovely sound, music is excellent, LOVE it
Back up singers Julie Christensen and Perla Batalla.
They're fantastic!
Moira Russell i agree, so talented and beautiful together
Because they worked with him, they are immortal as long as RUclips works.
They are such a plus with him,I miss him,he is talented.
I like the shot of Leonard when he stands between them...
I like the brief pause from the audience before the applause - like, what did we just watch?
Magical performance 🥰👏👏👏👏👏👏
A true masterpiece!
"I am guided" 4:46 - my favorite part. Fav song
Such a perfect tribute for such a tragic day.
Don't think so.
? Recorded in '88.
you and i Jake, long gone still love you .
It looks like this is the better dynamic version I was looking for, thanks !
I like how this song, and performance, is neither funny nor serious. It's just... life
One of the best song I have ever listened
Fantastic....
This is awesome
A great Song and peformance
estaban tan pegados que se olvidaron de aplaudir, grande L. Cohen
The 80's... A time of Moog synth and mullets. It was a special time. :D
Fantastic. Leagues ahead of anything out today.
Como youtube sabe que me gusta , me la ofrecen de vez en cuando y caro ..... yo a escucho ... gracias ¡¡
MAGNIFIQUE C EST TROP BEAU BRAVO POUR LES MUSICIENS ET LA VIDÉO
Perfect!!!
MARAVILLOSO
Beautiful ladiesssssssssss!!!
que maravilla...!
Gracias.
Glorious! And the girls... oh wow!
I missed him :(
In an 2018 interview, Perla stated no subsequent singers duplicated the operatic notes at 4:47
His back up singer is gorgeous
There are TWO backing singers, and BOTH are beautiful.
Murdoch murdoch Nice profile picture
Class like Roger Waters. Truth is came here to see girls singing. Elegant and fun.
La rubia vocalista qué mirada le echa a Leonard Cohen ! Jajajjajja
.. this makes me so mad .. !! .. this song weaves the duality and the duplicity of/between then and now ..
Leonard, Bill loved you .. his apartment just down from your little house just off the Main .. full of books he'd borrowed from you ..
I miss Bill .. I can't find him
I miss you ..
Spectacular
"WOW" Great stuff here
Rip Cohen
That's Leonard Cohen!
What's happening your way, cousin?
Michael Stipe & REM out performed you, years later. 😊
I am a fan of evolution. We are only better because of you.
"I don't like your fashion business, mister. And I don't like these drugs that keep you thin..."
It would be great to know who backed St. Leonard on this cut.
Ryan Young it's Julie Christensen and Perla Batalla
a fucking outstanding view of LC way back when
Leonard Cohen was beyond a genius, and so was his producer, John Hammond. interestingly they shared the same social philosophy. I admire them both tremendously....this version of 'First we take Manhattan' absolutely stinks. John Hammond was born in 1910, and died in 1987.
WOW👍
Is it possible I see a young Javier Mas?
Yes
Oh, Perla...
immortal
Good
You never take Berlin
It's taken! Have a look at the skyline as the cranes have landed. Look up at the clouds
on a sunny day to see the geo-clouds forming checker boards. Where have the 70+% of
dead insects gone? Where are the diversity of birds? Why has the unhealthy air been
far worse than LA for many months. Why do we need to look down, is it because the sidewalks have become land mines? Why does the mayor state tourism is up, but
we see less tourists and the shops on the high street are closing as fast as a Las Vegas strip mall? First they took Manhattan and now Berlin--
Regina Kniprode,never Berlin.
Too late, it happened May 1945. And again after Russia gave half back and it was lost again to the EU. Never mind, the globalists will make sure you lose it again by stealth.
3:38 ... man, that's hot!
Waw
There's Greek tragedy playing out here ..
There is a tragic element to it for sure. There is also an element of an uprising of the oppressed. I wonder if this and "Democracy is coming" are supposed to be together.
А это Игорь Кваша поёт что-ли? Нифига он актёр!
Has anybody figured out "who" is that's taking Manhattan?
Jews
Zion
Woody Allen.
@Darth Bane Meh.
@@user-dg4jo3hz1j 🤣🤣🤣
I don't like your fashion business Mister
'Fashion business' sounds kinda like 'fascism'
Man, I've tried and tried, but this guy is really boring. All of his songs are dull.