“Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen is often imitated, and it’s up there with “Wagon Wheel” in any acoustic performer’s lineup. The only two people who have arguably given the Leonard Cohen song any justice were Jeff Buckley and Rufus Wainwright. Sadly, Buckley passed away in 1997 and Wainwright recorded his now famous version of the song for his 2001 album Poses. Wainwright decided to record the song again in 2016, but this time with a few background vocalists. 1,500 of them to be exact.
Toronto-based Choir! Choir! Choir! makes the Vienna Boys Choir look like, well, little boys. This singing group boasts a massive membership that hovers around 2,000 people. Back in May, the group of 1,999 singers came together to perform a chilling rendition of “When Doves Cry” to honor the life of the Purple One, Prince.
Choir! Choir! Choir!’s latest get together took place at Toronto’s Hearn Generating Station. Accompanied by a single acoustic guitar, Wainwright lead the group of 1,500 singers in what is perhaps the most touching and moving version of “Hallelujah” to date. Yes, the song is trite and overplayed, but there’s something about this interpretation that instantly causes goosebumps to appear on your arms.
It might be because of what has happened in the world in the past month or so, but hearing 1,500 people passionately singing in unison a song that already conjures up many emotions certainly brings a tear to the eye.
(Via Consequence of Sound)
