Interview: Perla Batalla about Leonard Cohen

Perla Batalla in conversation with Jochanan Shelliem
Sequences from an interview of Perla Batalla, conducted by Joachanan Shelliem at Büsing-Palais, Offenbach, Germany, on Nov. 16, 2018 (in English).
American singer Perla Batalla had been on tour with Leonard Cohen around the globe in 1988 and 1983. On Nov. 18, 2018, she and her band performed at „Offenbacher Lesungen / Literatur im O-Ton“. This was Perla Batalla’s first performance in Germany in 25 years. She had been invited to perform at the original and inventive homage to Jewish-Canadian poet and singer Leonard Cohen conducted by Max Dienemann / Salomon Formstecher Gesellschaft that evening. The program’s title was “Eine andere Seite von Leonard Cohen” - “Another Side of Leonard Cohen”.
Renowned actor Hanns Zischler recited some of Cohen’s poems, psalms and prose. German Cohen biographer, Christof Graf, told about his encounters with Cohen. The complete interview of Perla Batalla will be available on DVD, as a bonus complementing the recording of the event “Eine andere Seite von Leonard Cohen”. On KZbin, you can watch a short clip of the performance:
• Another side of Leonar...
Orders can be made via email to: info@dienemann-formstecher
Perla Batalla spricht mit Jochanan Shelliem
Ausschnitte aus dem Interview, das der ARD-Journalist Jochanan Shelliem am 16. November 2018 im Büsing-Palais, Offenbach, mit Perla Batalla in englischer Sprache geführt hat.
Die amerikanische Sängerin, die mit Leonard Cohen 1988 und 1993 international auf Tournee ging, war am 18. November 2018 mit ihrer Band zu Gast bei den „Offenbacher Lesungen / Literatur im O-Ton“. Es war nach 25 Jahren der erste Auftritt von Perla Batalla in Deutschland.
Eingeladen hatte die Max Dienemann / Salomon Formstecher Gesellschaft, die an diesem Abend in der Alten Schlosserei, Offenbach, unter dem Titel „Eine andere Seite von Leonard Cohen“ eine eigensinnige Hommage an den jüdisch-kanadischen Dichter und Sänger bot. Der renommierte Schauspieler und Autor Hanns Zischler las Lyrik, Psalmen und Prosa von Cohen. Christof Graf, Cohens deutscher Biograph, erzählte von seinen Begegnungen mit dem Künstler.
Das vollständige Interview mit Perla Batalla werden wir auf einer DVD veröffentlichen, und zwar als Bonus zusammen mit der Aufnahme unserer Veranstaltung „Eine andere Seite von Leonard Cohen“. Auf KZbin zeigen wir einen Videoclip dieser Veranstaltung:

• Another side of Leonar...
Bestellungen für die DVD nehmen wir unter der Mailadresse info@dienemann-formstecher entgegen.

[@patrickfarrell5092]

A beautiful woman with the voice of an angel. She was perfect for Leonard.💚

[@TheBezaleel]

Cohen's music is timeless. This was a wonderful interview.

[@aloysiusathaide6331]

Love listening to Perla and Julie singing with Leonard Cohen. Simply heavenly!

[@brendaannedufaur6244]

I love her. She is exceptional. You can see the Leonard Cohen videos and her singing and soulfulness and extreme beauty. She was gripping and still is a beautiful woman.

[@seabrookthemagnificent9580]

Anybody who watches the video of Perla and Julie singing "Anthem", when a barefooted Perla forms a fist, and sings "They're gonna hear from me...," sends chills up and down the old spine.

[@xav1952]

I couldn't word it better !

[@tennisguyky]

I’ll always remember Leonard Perla and Julie’s amazing performance on Austin City Limits. Leonard & his angels!

[@מירבאילן]

Perla, Julie and Leonard really connect from heaven. The harmony they created was perfect. Really enjoyed hearing them. Thank you Perla, you were and remain wonderful.

[@williamdejeffrio9701]

I always had a crush on Perla. She had an angelic voice, a beautiful sultry stage persona that I loved. I have never heard her speak before and this interview only increased my admiration of her...

[@evarsingersongwriter6228]

So much integrity❤ to the music.. to Leonard . Thankyou for this great insight into both your worlds .

[@Louise-bu6mx]

I just love her ….. she is so so… genuine, humble, talented and a LC fan for life❤❤❤.

[@worldsgreatestimpressionis6462]

Perla was is and still is beautiful inside and out. I understand completely her feeling towards Leonard and his music

[@troll23-troll23]

Beautiful interview! Strong personality. I must have seen you on stage with Leonard twice, Perla, in June of 1993 in Toronto and in July of 2008 in Lörrach, Germany. Unforgettable both concerts. The second one on a very warm summer evening, standing room only in a packed city square, there must have been thousands, side by side (how we long for those days now), and you could have heard a pin drop. Leonard sang for three hours straight - what an experience it was. I am sure it was you and Julie next to Leonard. Thanks for the gift you gave to all of us!

[@GeorgeLopez-xs7yl]

What a wonderful smile, I love her.

[@ponceperales1041]

On October 7, 2017 Perla Batalla presented “Perla Batalla: A Tribute to Leonard Cohen” at Stanford Arts, Palo Alto California. I was there. A kind of intimate event. Some felt Leonard’s presence. At the end she was thanking people, signing cds. I got one. What did she see in my eyes? I was not expecting the hug I got. As if I was a younger sister in need of protection. Eerie. Thank you Perla. I hope I will see you again.

[@b.bailey8244]

great interview - i respect her work and loved hearing her words about Leonard and about herself.

[@lindacleveland1289]

Perla it is clear that you adored Leonard. You Want It Darker was a pivotal song in his life journey,I find it compelling and beautiful. You were blessed to have met Leonard and for me I marvel at his artistry and remain a lifelong fan 🙏❤️🇬🇧

[@lars277]

I love this woman, for decades. Her and Julie were exactly like she says, they were blessed or anointed. I have Perla way up on a pedestal. I have a very high regard for her and I still think she deserves it. Perla and Julie were Leonard's best singers. You watch and listen to Austin City Limits Performance, they all hit a grand slam. I believe that was their best performance.

[@brendadufaur37]

She is so interesting. She speaks with such depth and detail. In Cohen's concerts it is indeed like being in church. Perla was drop dead gorgeous and you could see her reverence for Cohen when she was singing. And her singing was angelic. I could watch her in interview for days.

[@garyspurdens996]

That's it!!! 1 comment. #2. KZbin him Perla and Julie

[@alexkalish8288]

Great interview with an intelligent and artistic women. She was great on stage with a remarkable voice.

[@petec3241]

I had the pleasure of seeing Perla Batalla perform last night at the Union Chapel in Islington. It was a truly beautiful experience. Such passion, emotion and talent. Thank you, Perla.

[@garylarson2515]

What a wonderful program, thank you.

[@domingossaude]

This is a very deep interview. I like very much. Thank you Perla.

[@roncooper8666]

Perla, I have loved you for many years, back when you and Julie were singing with leonard. I just found this interview and, after listening to your words, love you even more now! You can dance me to the end of love any time you wish ..... I will gladly take your hand and, in return, dance you to wherever you might wish to go.

[@lisellev1844]

I loved that!!! her passion..her devotion... and appreciation of being apart of a special history :)

[@brendaannedufaur6244]

Such an interesting, genuine, passionate, innocent, pure soul. Funny how she says a Leonard Cohen concert was like her church. On utube is a few versions of Dance Me to the End of Time and you can see her perform and all the musicians and honestly they all look like they are in a sacred endeavor in church.

[@shulalavy1698]

As a "Conen" (Prist) He means Sinsgogue, not cherch. More than this hid father was Rabbi. Don't forget he was Jewish prist his name is "Cohen" When he was visiting in Israel he was shareing holy ceremonies by leading the preys & he bless the community during the pray as "Cohen". Every Jew that his family name is "Cohen"', belongs to the Livy enchent tribe( one from the 12 Henrews tribes from the Bible)

[@thestuffoflife88]

Thank you so much for sharing this

[@Purpleking47]

Wonderful interview, more love for Perla.

[@thestuffoflife88]

Amazing interview. Thank you for sharing this

[@olegfedorov3225]

"Dance me to.." as a music to Natasha Rostova dance is mesmerizing.

[@terryallen9546]

I am having such a great pot of coffee listening to her, this morning. Always been in love with her/performances, but never heard her story. In love all over again.

[@ErgonBill]

If Perla gets any better looking, I'll probably go blind. Like very fine wine, she just gets better with age. ♥

[@cros99]

Perla, your song Hallelujah, in the House of Cohen was wonderful. Leonard was smiling down at you.

[@SophiahKoikasWindyQueen]

watch her sing Like a Bird on the Wire.. so good

[@ferrisburgh802]

A beautiful interview with a great singer.

[@brendaannedufaur6244]

Amazing but every single thing she says is already so evident. Her devotion to Cohen is sacred like ballerina Suzanne Farrell to great choreographer George Balanchine. A sacred thing. Her great performing of Cogen's songs comes from the grit of her love and respect for Cohen. Wonderful interview. Great how it is she just speaking. We dont hear interviewer questions. Beautiful. I'm definitely subscribing.

[@AFaceintheCrowd01]

LC talked of the Spanish roots of his music in a speech he gave while accepting an award in Spain.

[@robertthompson1896]

In the song, "Dance me to the end of love.'", Leonard comes and stands behind you, the mike in his right hand. Your left hand goes behind your back and you get a beautiful smile on your face, as does Leonard. I think , perhaps, you are holding hands or he is keeping time on your back. The feeling for each other is clear. Are you holding hands?

[@angusmcangus7914]

Leonard Cohen always managed to surround himself with musicians and singers of the highest calibre. Jennifer Warnes, Perla and Julie together were superb but Sharon Robinson? The tops.

[@leedavis2141]

If Leonard Cohen's concerts are like being in church, then Perla's voice is like one of the angels ❤

[@2o29woao2oo2oqwks]

A beautiful lady with an angelic voice. God bless you Perla Batalla 🙏❤️

[@tinahorkan]

‘This reminds me of the Spanish music that has a deep reality to it’

[@nancychiappara3516]

Me encantó este video de Perla! Saludos desde Uruguay 🇺🇾

[@seabrookthemagnificent9580]

Perla' album "Disco teca Batalla" - One Great Masterpiece. I speak no Spanish, but this album is one of my all time favorites.

[@xanbex8324]

Love that man....thank you for this!

[@serafin9336]

Eres bella en todos los sentidos. Gracias por tu fuerza y tu música

[@hansandriesse6181]

she was stunning back then and still is

[@mirfir]

Julie & her are awesome as background singers!

[@robertdavenport6705]

No wonder Leonard chose her-they chose each other. What a brilliant and sensitive woman. And she and Julie were the best.

[@Evenstar100]

Wonderful, thank you.

[@leland4286]

Beautiful tribute to Leonard from Perla. What book was that Perla was looking through at the end of the interview?

[@sharonhendrix7496]

You are magnificent, my sister. Magnificent.❤

[@LJPorcello]

5:50 She talks about First We Take Manhattan and ends it with: "...and even in his last concert tour, I didn't hear anybody hit that high note". Loved that line...laughed out loud. If you are damn good, let people know!

[@moondancer9066]

Wonderful interview.

[@lene4102]

Thank you, Perla

[@andreaspoelz9085]

Wonderful

[@javiertorresferraro4650]

Beso enorme desde Argentina.....Perla!!!

[@Deep_Blue_Sapphire]

In the heart if a poet lies the truth, and in the truth the lives.

[@marchess286]

thank you

[@mirfir]

Incredible!

[@СезарияЭвора-й9у]

I adore perla!

[@moondancer9066]

Perla I envy you!💕 I loved you with Leonard and I loved Leonard!❤🌹

[@geraldmorain3166]

My heroines you make and you made the that makes me listening thank you .music

[@glendahughes6797]

Brilliant insight

[@glendahughes6797]

Love the Spanish....translation of song Reminds me of the depth of emotion + tragedy of a Portuguese fardo

[@anacarlotana]

Perla, siempre quise conocer a Leo desde los trece años. Siento que tú, latinoamericana y en especial mexicana y de origen alemana como mi padre, judio emigrante, me representan. Me alegro que hayas trabajado con él y por eso te escribo en nuestra lengua materna aunque lo hubiera podido hacer en inglés. Un beso desde BCS, Mx.

[@worldpeace1969]

there was nothing to help, dear soul, his solitude was his guide as should b us all

[@michelesayous7346]

thank you Perla for interwieuv. The book (name ) bio ????

[@jmaria111]

Oh, Yes! a match made in heaven it is. I love his music but lets talk about human beings..... A dear friend of mine, very pretty woman, was in the back stage of a concert in L.A. when she bumps into Leonard, immediately she tells him how much she loved his music, his answer.... can I F....... you ? I know its hard to digest but honest truth.

[@kevnolan1170]

That is one beautiful woman

[@bh1935]

Great

[@robhappe2705]

Leonard Cohen is so much your own thing that it’s almost irritating to hear other persons make claims!

[@MyCheriAnolani]

Awe....that's so sweet for you to admit.

[@robhappe2705]

@@MyCheriAnolani I have that feeling with most of what I see, hear about Leonard. I am sure most persons must think ‘he’s mine!. But he’s not of course and I apologize to everyone saying something about Leonard. My feelings are deep, it’s my youth and upbringing also in a time in which not much information got out anyway. Later in life I collected all his interviews and performances and in my eyes only Leonard could talk about Leonard. What I said came out spontaneously and on one hand I regretted saying it and on the other hand I knew I deeply felt this way. I am a fan for over 50 years and Leonard is a big part of me. I can’t change that.

[@britischenadligen3760]

@@robhappe2705 that's so touching and lovely & I feel like it's true in some way for most of us who have deep respect for Leonard and his music ❤️

[@sjorsvanderpanne7128]

Angel!

[@suzannelawson9215]

What was the name of the record store? I used to go to a few different record stores in the 1980's and 1990's in the Santa Monica & Venice areas. Some were on Venice Blvd. and other one's on Pico Blvd. I was always looking for folk music tapes and LP's and sometimes would chat with staff at these stores.

[@barrycowan3540]

It was called Discoteca Batalla, and it was on Lincoln Blvd, maybe near Navy, in my memory. I must have driven past it a few thoiusand times, and never went in. Several years went by, and I saw Perla Batalla host and perform in a tribute to Leonard Cohen at UCLA's Royce Hall in maybe 2009. She told about the record store, and a light bulb went off in my head, connecting my memories of seeing the store with its distinctive front so many times, and hearing this beautiful performance. I've been fortunate to See Perla several times, but the best for me was when she did an in-store performance at the Borders in Santa Monica. When she sang Cucurrucucu Paloma, I noticed that a man beside me was weeping, her rendition of that beautiful song was so powerful and moving. Since then, she has been one of my favorites, and a worthy keeper of the legacy of the great Leonard.

[@geraldmorain3166]

He was pleasd

[@WaldemarZydek]

PERLA lov mexico lov la liollona wonderful

[@shulalavy1698]

You forgot gto tell that most of his songs was translation of Jewish prays or programs from the Bible. Like "Hineini"

[@geraldmorain3166]

Yes

[@nealhurwitz]

xoxo

[@nickbaldwin1668]

I preferred Julie Christenson,really

[@27thAngel]

I love Perla but her vagueness about Germans having "opportunities" in Argentina after "one of the wars" is a little bit...hmmmmm

[@mirfir]

She might not know. Lots of family secrets. Lord only knows.

[@mirfir]

Seriously!

[@roryrichards]

Exactly my thoughts.

[@neilsarath9812]

🤔🤔🤔🤔

[@SiebenbuergerSxn]

Silly. Germans had opportunities elsewhere because Germany and Europe were in ruins after WW2. My parents graduated together from medical school in Germany right after the war, and there were no jobs for them, no opportunities. They emigrated to the U.S. in 1950, where opportunities existed.

[@Mi-bi6ez]

And what a kitten in "Closing time", nows her craft kzbin.info/www/bejne/bV6TnYlrpthkh9k

[@elephantcompany6061]

A kitten indeed

[@ea4935]

It is all about the money, gossip, greedy, jealousy, hatred None understood his 📝

[@milagrosduran2858]

OKuh

[@KingMinosxxvi]

came so far beauty is a great song...many of us left our masterpiece unsigned...not leonard though