“If Leonard Cohen had not recorded Hallelujah, I would never have made my first album,” reflected Fr. Ray Kelly as the world mourns the passing of the legendary Canadian singer songwriter.
Fr. Kelly, a Tyrrellspass native, affectionately known as ‘The Singing Priest” shot to fame in 2014 after a YouTube video of him singing a version of the towering Cohen classic went viral.
Two albums and performances around the globe later followed and Fr. Kelly continues to enjoy his growing popularity.
It all started with a version of a song that pervades public consciousness, Leonard Cohen’s masterpiece, ‘Hallelujah.’
Last week came the news that the troubadour of the troubled soul had died and Fr. Ray remembers that the cornerstone of his own singing success was laid upon the beloved Leonard Cohen composition.
“I was on stage in the National Concert hall last weekend and I spoke of Leonard Cohen to the audience. I told them that if he had not released ‘Hallelujah’, my own career in music would never have happened,” Fr. Kelly told Topic this week.
“I owe him my thanks as my version of ‘Hallelujah,’ or ‘The Wedding Song’ was to go on my first album. I did not write the different lyrics; they were adapted by a young girl, ten-year-old Lucy Pitts O’Connor. We did not know if we would be allowed to record the version on the album,” said Fr. Ray.
“I was on my way to one of the first concerts I ever played and I got a call from the producer of my album, ‘Where I Belong.’ He was delighted and told me that Leonard Cohen had given his permission for us to record the song. I have him to thank for that.”
The 82-year-old Cohen was one of the 20th century’s most influential songwriters and his death on the 7 November of this year was mourned by legions of fans and admirers from all walks of life.
He inspired generations of poets and artists and one of those whose talent and potential had its first flowering under the white heat of the Cohen sun is Oldcastle’s Parish Priest, Fr. Ray Kelly.
“I am not a huge fan of his singing. I am familiar with his great works but to me, his words were very poetic, very inspirational, says Fr. Kelly.
“The news of his death came as such a shock. He released an album recently. He returned to touring a few years ago after a long stint out of the public eye. We didn’t expect his death,” said Fr. Kelly.
