Ballad for Two Friends: How Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan built a tower of song

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Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen were huge fans of each other — and the influence cut both ways. One a Jew from Montreal, the other from Minnesota, the two men personified an offbeat style of cool, and, with unmistakable voices, sang some of the 20th century’s greatest poetry.

In this conversation we shine a light on two prophets of song, one agonized by every line, another whose best work was written in a frenzy, each in their own ways radical tellers of truth in the Jewish tradition.

Forward culture reporter PJ Grisar moderated with special guests Ismay, singer-songwriter; Larry “Ratso” Sloman, author and musician; and Denise Sullivan, music journalist and historian.

This conversation was in partnership with the Contemporary Jewish Museum.