Lately I've been listening to some old, fave CDs from my collection, such as Elton John's 1993 album Duets. On it, he sings various songs with a wide and sometimes rather improbable assortment of musical partners like Tammy Wynette, Bonnie Raitt and Gladys Knight.
But the most unlikeliest duet of all is with the (now late) great singer-songwriter and ladies' man, Leonard Cohen. Talk about a contrast in style and voices! The two sing a bluesy Ray Charles hit from the 1960s called Born to Lose. Not only does this song choice humorously reinforce Leonard Cohen's (entirely undeserved) reputation as a horribly depressed and depressing singer, it inadvertently provides a delightfully homoerotic subtext to an otherwise innocuous old song.
If you've never heard this before, you're in for a treat! Enjoy!
what a beautiful melodious voice!
ReplyDeletei remember that on m.tv channel i used listen to this amazing singer some years back
he always brings me in deep unique world entirely different than present
truly magician
They don't make music like they used to.
ReplyDeleteThat is a odd duet. I don't recall hearing that one, but I liked it. My favorite Elton duet was with Type up. One can tell they had fun together making the don't go breaking my heart video.
ReplyDeleteI put in Rupaul and type up came ip????????? Those gremlins are at it..........
DeleteIt seems to be the week for Elton John. First I learned basically everyone I'm friends with on Facebook are huge Elton John fans and are going to his farewell concert somewhere. Now I learn about a cover of Born to Lose, one of my favorite songs no matter who sings it, that I've not heard about before, also sung by Elton John. By the way, I've never met a person named Elton out in the wild. Is anyone naming their kid Elton other than Elton John's parents?
ReplyDeleteI hadn't ever heard this one before, but I like it.
ReplyDeleteI also had heard of the Elton "Type Up" duet Maddie loves so much!! =)
Love them both so much cuz no matter what they wrote it turned to gold, friend D ... Sadly never saw Leonard but saw Elton in Red Deer once ... Love, cat.
ReplyDeleteYou're right! I had never heard it before and it was a treat!
ReplyDeleteI know the ray charles version, but this is new to me also. thanks, debra!
ReplyDeleteLove it. That deep raspy voice of Leonard is in sharp contrast to Elton. An unusual but wonderful duet.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed Elton's duets. I think what made them so great was the unlikely combination of people.
ReplyDeleteWonderful! I agree with Karen ... they don't make music the way they used to.....
ReplyDeleteomg...i loved leonard cohen. i always told my husband that if leonard ever called, i was gone and not looking back.
ReplyDeleteLeonard Cohen is a much different voice than John's, wow
ReplyDeleteWhat a difference between the two. I am a big fan of Elton John's music. I've been listening to his CDs lately, especially while I exercise.
ReplyDeleteHow in the world did I miss this combination? Two of my very favorites! It is very odd, but it works in a weird, other-worldly way. Like a musical platypus.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a big fan of Leonard Cohen. His voice makes me tired.
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard this one either. My husband loves Leonard Cohen and Elton John. I will have to play this for him.
ReplyDeleteMr. Ray Charles is one of my all-time favorite singers on this planet...his BORN TO LOSE, a very favorite. While I have always liked Sir Elton John, HIS version of it doesn't come close to Ray's...this, of course, is my humble opinion.
ReplyDeleteAs for L. Cohen...never heard of him....
That's sort of an odd combination, but the voices work together.
ReplyDeleteLeonard Cohen did have some dark stuff, but it was great stuff when he kept away from the Casio keyboard-type tunes of the eighties. "Avalanche" is a fave of mine.
Somehow, I never knew Elton John had done a duets album.
Sweet!
ReplyDeleteDid you hear Elton is ill and is retiring after he finishes a three year tour? Adele should learn from him, she is such a nasty spoilt millenial.
ReplyDeleteLeonard deep voice really makes you take notice. Never heard this before - thanks. Hey I happen to have a youtube song posted that you probably never heard before.
ReplyDeleteThis recording does seem on the improbable side. The orchestration is a little on the syrupy side--but perhaps that just adds to the oddity of it all.
ReplyDelete--Jim
You weren't joking! The contrast is... uncanny.
ReplyDeleteReally odd combination!
ReplyDelete(I’m also listening to Elton this week; the tribute album Two Rooms, made to him and Bernie Taupin in 1991 - keeping it)
I used to love Lenny's music :) I remember duets being so big in the 80's!
ReplyDeleteGreat song and two great entertainers, but that is a bit strange as a combination.
ReplyDeleteI love Elton John, and Leonard Cohen is pretty good, too :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the treat.
ReplyDeleteThe parts I love best are when they sing together/interactively. I had no idea they collaborated. Thanks for sharing this winning gem, Debra.
ReplyDeleteThank you Debra!! I find this very romantic! So beautiful!!! I agree a treat! Big Hugs!
ReplyDeleteI've never heard this song before, but it sounds great. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great album. I listened to it many time.
ReplyDeleteThankyou, though I think I prefer Ray Charles unimproved.
ReplyDeleteThis works! Thanks for sharing. Both guys are on my favorite list.
ReplyDeletePoor woman ... no one deserves being transformed into Trump.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this song so much, I listened to the entire thing.. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing it with us.
Have a beachy week!
Elsie
Oh poor Leonard - he lost all his savings - they were stolen from him and now he had to hit the road again. I was never a big fan of Elton, but Husband is...
ReplyDeleteLoved the contrast..Beautiful..Sad that Elton John is retiring but I guess none of us can go on forever..maybe just Tony Bennett ;) Thanks for sharing..enjoyed it..
ReplyDeletewow - cool. Love the contrast between the styles.
ReplyDelete'And now, Elton... I'm losing you.'
ReplyDeleteLolling!
:^)
Wow. Me neither. What loss it was losing Leonard Cohen. Yet, as you've made me realize, there's always more to discover about him and his work.
ReplyDeleteMakes me think of the duets that Tony Bennet did ... especially with Kd. Lang - man can she sing ... her voice just melts me everytime
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdvvV3h-S_I
I listen to them both,
ReplyDeletebut never heard this.
It would be nice to
draw too. But it also
reminds me of xmas.
Happy Listening 🎵