Suzanne Vermeer. Your place sounds wonderful: river and forest is a great combination, and I’m sure it would suit her. You know, there was so much energy and sharing and inspiration and pure moments and quality times together on very little or no money. I mean we were living, most of us, on a shoestring. I think of her often b/c the painting I did of her from 1991 just before she left Montreal is hanging in my living room. I don’t try to report my heart but I sense we have the common understanding of the beauty that illuminates the whole world. Saunders: It seems very sad that the spirits moved apart. I became an artist and worked behind the scenes. I’m glad you enjoyed the story, Sartenada. I never heard the names you mentioned in your post (I live far away – in Lithuania and we talk in different languages (I am not the English speaker) but I got strong feeling about the wondrous trip we could have with you. Thanks for a beautiful post.
These birds form partnerships which last a lifetime and are devoted partners and parents. Seems a bit creepy to me, if not downright rude. I knew the song “Suzanne” long before I knew the real-life story. I am a friend of Suzannes’from Montreal and I have been trying to find out more about her situation and can’t seem to find out anything. Suzanne lived with us for a bit when I was 6 and 7 years old living on a farm in Wisconsin. I agree with your observation about the personal nature of the songs. Perhaps some day you’ll have the chance to see her new sea. When I was writing this, I spent a good bit of time listening to “Suzanne”, by as many artists as I could find who have recorded it. We’d walk down the street for instance, and the click of our shoes, his boots and my shoes, would be like in synchronicity. I’m truly grateful to you, and glad to know that Suzanne is well. [Uncredited] 2. She had a her funky outfit on and was holding 2 cats ! Suzanne was a friend I lost touch with when I moved from Montreal. Hi , I was talking to someone and told her I painted Suzanne in the summer of 1991 just before she and and her son left Montreal in her gypsy Caravan. I have six Starbucks relatively close, but that doesn’t quite do it. A good evening (morning? That’s how I felt, listening to the discussion. Saunders: After you’d heard this very intimate song, when did you meet Leonard Cohen again, after you’d heard it, and how had your relationship changed, if at all? Whatever the reason, I’m so glad that you found the blog, and enjoyed the entry. Leonard Cohen wurde in eine wohlhabende, einflussreiche jüdische Familie in Westmount, einem englischsprachigen Vorort Montreals, geboren. I’m so pleased that you enjoyed the post. Many people and events I’ve written about have later surfaced some interesting connections. ( Log Out /  She does a fine job of singing it. Later, there would be an even more poignant final meeting. And, yes: it is beauty that helps to illuminate the world. More Buying Choices $3.67 (92 used & new offers) Audible Audiobook $0.00 $ 0. It took me years to understand that it’s all right to move from one thing to another. How wonderful and interesting post. Thank you telling about Cohen and Suzanne. I feel like I get my education every time I visit you. I would never have guessed that it was based on reality, as you’ve explained here. Enjoy. I have a plastic bag taped behind the frame with her business card, “Esmeralda Gypsy Dancer”. Together they characterized a perfect love. I also was wondering how she was doing. Her story – and of course the song – have touched so many people. The book is a dizzying account of the interplay between ardour and art. Some mementos are special beyond words, and I suspect that one is, for you. The St. Lawrence River held a particular poetry and beauty to me and (I) decided to live there with our daughter, Julie. Of course, it’s always possible she’s chosen to maintain a low profile. Since this blog is about Suzanne I wonder how she is doing. I was glad to see that she’d recovered from her back injury enough to be living a mobile life. But that, too, is mostly mystery at this point. I absolutely loved your poem, as well as your bittersweet article about Suzanne. ’78 and was a housekeeper for Will Geer grandpa from the Waltons and his wife at their Theater collective Theatricum botanicum in Topanga Canyon, our relationship culminated in one evening she asked me to come to the hilltop and pray with her and we face each other sitting Indian style and after a time her face became a fuzzy oval ike this static on a television set and I felt myself leave my body with certainty when it was over I wept and she held me Suzanne Nadine Vega (born July 11, 1959) is an American singer-songwriter, musician and record producer, best known for her folk-inspired music.. Vega's music career spans almost 40 years. ! Should she ever make it here, she’d be welcome to stay forever, cats and all, free, indefinitely, it would be a total honor. You’ve mentioned two of my all-time favorites – Ian and Sylvia, and Gordon Lightfoot. are the the flowers of the moment I listen to it regularly, and still remember where I was the first time I heard it. After Collins recorded the song in 1966, and Noel Harrison in 1967, Cohen himself recorded the song: also in 1967. Here is her story. They mean a lot. Ahh.. Cohen. What does the song mean to you now, as you look back on it? Thanks so much for stopping by, and for commenting. There was too little, in the sense that I wanted the words. Now, that’s country! ( Log Out /  ( divorced) ( 1 child) Trivia (2) Bohemian dancer who met poet and musician Leonard Cohen in Montreal in the 1960's. You’re right, though – it’s especially appropriate for Cohen. I appreciate your comment, and I know that Suzanne would appreciate your generosity. Suzanne Vermeer tipt; 20 July ‘Waterland’: meer zomerse (ont)spanning! Lang’s rendition of Hallelujah? That’s their material. I was going to post the info on it but someone beat me to it! Once, as a choreographer for a TV show she had us dancing on top of the Air Canada pavilion at Expo. And with the news article I clipped the summer (1992) she left Montreal in her own little gypsy caravan ..its entitled “Suzanne leaving her place by the river” , Cohens inspiration quits Montreal, with a pix of her sitting on the back of the handmade gypsy cart her son made. Suzanne: Oh absolutely, and for many of us, I hold dear this time, very much so. I’ll say this – it was a wonderful recording of Judy Collins’ performance! I didn’t know Suzanne Verdal was the Suzanne from this song for a long time…I love this song and I love your writing about it. I’d contact her myself, but I’m totally averse to sending strangers a friend request. After all, his fame began because of his song about her. The best journeys begin with a moment of temporary insanity.” Now that the “beginning” of the journey is over, I’m feeling a little less insane, a little more able to relax and enjoy. I hope you do have the chance to be with Suzanne and the others again. Laat je inspireren door deze natuurlijke leefstijl, het boek en de vele natuurlijk, gezonde producten in de webshop. I was going to say, he is almost your audience. There was a coffee house named Le Hibou on Sussex Drive in Ottawa (c 1965-1972) which featured artists reading poetry, performing drama or comedy, or performing music. Quiz. The inspiration was one Suzanne Verdal, then the partner of sculptor Armand Vaillancourt, ... based on the book by Cheryl Strayed, as Verdal was a friend of the author's mother. I have an old upright in my living room that doesn’t sound half bad. I’m not on Facebook, myself, but anyone who is certainly would be welcome to try and make contact. She became the muse of dozens of Beat poets but for one, Leonard Cohen, she became extra special. There’s a lot more I could write. Suzanne: It did change. Paranormal Romance Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com. Now, I’m a music appreciator, and I write… just like you read and appreciate. In truth, Cohen was a poet and songwriter before he became famous for his recordings. But, as I mentioned to someone just the other day, the operative word in the phrase “no apparent reason” is “apparent”! Thanks for the thought-stimulating link. The link I originally posted led to a October listing of blog entries from the artist. However, in 2013 is the release of a brand new book by Suzanne Collins entitled Year of the Jungle which is to hit store shelves in September of the year. I hadn’t heard “A Case of You,” but “Diamonds and Rust” is one of my favorites. In an interview with. I have the painting hanging in the living room. And wha… John (now 86 years old) was the man who introduced Susanne Verdal McAllistar (Vaillancourt) to Leonard Cohen in the late fifthies in Montréal Canada. Thanks for stopping by, and for commenting. And I would speak about life and poetry and we’d share ideas. But that voice! Suzanne: Well, that could be. Do you ever listen to it? From what I could tell, the video was clips from a 2011 documentary, so it’s not too old. It just was a spiritual moment that I had with the lightening of the candle. Except today. Well, the good news is that I found it. Biography. This fascinating book explains how each song came about, when it was released, the impact it had on the charts and then gives a mini-biography of the song's muse. And he would watch us dancing, of course. What’s the update on Suzanne? Since we’re wondering about her, I’m curious to know if this the same Suzanne listed here: It appears to be more recent than other info listed here, and may be the most effective way of reaching out to an old friend. It was an interesting time. There was the activism. Many think Cohen’s wife Suzanne Elrod was the inspiration for his song, but it was Verdal, the former wife of Montreal sculptor Armand Vaillancourt, who served as muse. Narrator: Now, "You Probably Think This Song Is about You" and a trip back to the early 60’s in Montreal to meet a young dancer married to Armand, a handsome sculptor. All the right words were there, but they were disconnected from the actual song and the way it came to be. 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