Leonard Cohen and the Webb Sisters

A few days ago, I watched this Leonard Cohen tribute concert via Netflix instant play, and it was amazing. I'm in complete awe of Leonard Cohen, and I've been on the lookout for a song to cover on my upcoming album. "Hallelujah" has long been one of my favorites, but it's been done by so many artists that I don't think I would have anything new or original to bring to it. This song is most often associated with Rufus Wainwright, and although I love his version (and this one by Bon Jovi), I think this acoustic performance by Sheryl Crow is my alltime favorite.





So anyway, I heard a few new (to me) songs on the tribute concert, and the one that captivated me most was "If It Be Your Will." The words are deceptively simple, and the song is almost a prayer. The performance by Antony on the film was powerful, but when I searched on youtube, I came across the song being performed by Leonard Cohen with the Webb Sisters. Oh my goodness. I could rack my brain for words to describe how incredible this is, but I think I'm going to take the easy (and more effective) way out, by urging you to drop what you're doing this very second and watch this.



I had never heard of the Webb Sisters before, but now I'm completely obsessed. The British sisters, Charley and Hattie, have the most captivating harmony, tight in a way that only family harmonies can be, and both are multi-instrumentalists, although it seems that performance wise, one sister usually plays guitar and the other accompanies with a small harp. I've always thought the harp to be one of the most beautiful instruments, both it's physical self as well as the sound. It lends an air of other worldliness to a song, in a fragile, delicate, ethereal way. I spent the past half hour perusing their website and listening to their latest EP, Comes in Twos, which is definitely going on my Christmas list, and if Santa doesn't come through, I'm buying it myself. :)