Today’s album, Grace by Jeff Buckley features an outstanding version of “Halleluha” that many consider among the best so it got me thinking about the different versions I have heard and which I would consider my favorite.
A quick Internet search tells me that Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” has been covered over 300 times by artists as diverse as Bob Dylan, The Osmonds, Bon Jovi, Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, John Cale, Regina Spektor and far too many others to list. Even my fave Warren Haynes has done a number of live performances that give me chills when I watch. This one is particularly good.
And while I haven’t listened to all the versions out there, I can confidently say that no one has covered this song better than k.d. lang, dare I say in my opinion she now owns this song, it is hers. We saw her at Ravinia with Lyle Lovett a number of years ago and she sang this so beautifully, I wish I was in the pavilion to be able to experience it without the stupid lawn crowd talking over her.
So I think this is my favorite of the k.d. lang versions, although any of them can bring you to tears if you let yourself truly listen, just so powerful.
In the words of Frank Zappa – “Music is the best”
Your thoughts?