By now we’ve all heard a thousand and one covers of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah.  The Man himself, Jeff Buckley, Rufus Wainwright, Shrek…take your pick.  The best have done it justice.  Let’s be honest:  the song is so perfect, it’s nearly impossible to screw it up.  Leave it then to Amanda Palmer to serve up one of the most affecting versions we’ve heard.  She prefaces her performance by explaining it was intended to be performed for her friend Anthony who was undergoing cancer treatment, but then explains that Anthony was unable to attend the performance because of his illness.  And then Palmer, herself afflicted with the flu, lays the song out in a gripping performance that hits all the right notes.  We know some who have lost loved ones in recent days.  May this broken hallelujah provide some comfort and consolation.