Kd Lang Hallelujah

http://www.pakmahfil.com ^ | 13/02/10 | donworld

[donworld]

Kd Lang Hallelujah, Canadian pop music royalty shone brightly tonight at the opening ceremonies for the 21st Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada. One of the top musical highlights was a stunning performance of Canadian poet/songwriter Leonard Cohen’s song “Hallelujah” by Canadian singer k.d. lang. She first recorded the song in 2004 for her album Hymns of the 49th Parallel. She also performed “Hallelujah” at the 2005 Juno Awards. In the past three years the song has taken on iconic status. In 2008 American Idol contestant Jason Castro delivered a performance that generated such interest in the song that Jeff Buckley’s much admired 1994 recording of “Hallelujah” topped the Billboard Digital Tracks chart. Later in that same year X Factor winner Alexandra Burke topped the UK pop singles chart with her version and Jeff Buckley’s “Hallelujah” hit #2. More recently Justin Timberlake went to #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 with his interpretation of “Hallelujah” from the Hope For Haiti Now telethon.

Earlier in the ceremonies top Canadian pop stars Nelly Furtado and Bryan Adams performed a duet on a song titled “Bang the Drum” written by Adams. Sarah McLachlan joined the parade of stars with a solo performance at the piano. In another powerful tribute to Canadian pop music, Joni Mitchell’s classic “Both Sides Now” provided the backdrop for a moving aerial and dance performance. Finally, Anne Murray, one of the bestselling Canadian pop singers of all time, was one of the notable Canadian personalities chosen to carry the official Olympic flag into the stadium.

[rbosque]

She looks like a man.

[mylife]

I just tend to like stuff that aint top 40.
That’s a rocker, charted.

[mupcat]

One of the most beautiful versions of the song was sung by the "Canadian Tenors" who were on Oprah earlier this week. They were surprised by Celine Dion who joined them.

http://www.bclocalnews.com/news/84134917.html

[SuziQ]

OK, I Googled the question, and found out the song had been used on "House". I thought that was the one show on which it would be used to good effect, I just can't remember which episode it was. ;o)

I also found out that Leonard Cohen had ultimately written at least fifteen verses to the song, and when John Cale asked for the lyrics, that's what he got. He pared it down to the ones he uses in his version of the song, and most folks now use Cale's version, including Cohen, himself!

[JmyBryan]

You can view it at nbcolympics.com in part 3 of the opening ceremony.

[mylife]

Cale really has a decent ear, he studied with Leonard Bernstein.
He strips things down a bit because he knows his own musical limitations.

[SuziQ]

Loved the Canadian Tenors, but frankly, I’ve never cared much for Celine Dion. She’s one of those singers who, like Mariah Carey, does that warbly thing that I just can’t stand.

[SuziQ]

Is John Cale related to J.J. Cale?

[SuziQ]

Nevermind, I shoulda just gone to Wikipedia. ;o) J.J. Cale was given that nickname by a nightclub owner. His name is John Weldon Cale, so the club owner called him J.J., so folks wouldn’t confuse him with John Cale, of the Velvet Underground.

[dennisw]

One of the most beautiful versions of the song was sung by the “Canadian Tenors” who were on Oprah earlier this week. They were surprised by Celine Dion who joined them-——>>>>

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tubL9EaiztM
Very righteous!

[gussiefinknottle]

the late jeff buckley has a great version.

[mwilli20]

the late jeff buckley has a great version.

I love that one too. That’s my second favorite.

[dennisw]

I never liked Springsteen much and now even less with all his left wing carrying on

[mylife]

JJ was a blues guy

[truthguy]

"...Earlier in the ceremonies top Canadian pop stars Nelly Furtado and Bryan Adams..."

Okay give them credit. At least they didn't call them rock stars. Nelly Furtado is a joke. Has Canada ever produced a real rock star outside of Robby Robertson. And please don't say Neil Young, another pretender. It's strange that the US & UK produce rock stars glore but Canada with essentially the same DNA doesn't do anything or next to nothing. Hell, Australia does better than Canada. Always look to Canada for mediocre talent. Stick to POP stars Canada and leave rock to the adults.

[nina0113]

I’ve heard it on House. I think it was the episode when Cameron left Chase.

[TNLawyer]

I didn’t see her performance - I’ll have to catch it somewhere. Here is my favorite rendition of that song - sung by Rufus Wainwright http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xR0DKOGco_o

That's my favorite version as well.

[sheana]

I agree, I love KD Lang’s voice....(male/female/whatever).
Another great one is Crying with Roy Orbison and Kd Lang.

Enjoy ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-EiKPrAOHA

[Judges Gone Wild]

Burton Cummings, anyone? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfcSXmFFVfE&feature=related
I thought Neil did a pretty good job here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQccK0F1_iY
Generally I can’t stand Neil’s politics, but he put Tiananmen Square in this video.

[mitch5501]

"Stick to POP stars Canada and leave rock to the adults."

Maybe we shouldn't 'Rush' to judgement here.