New CD- Leonard Cohen – Live In London
Leonard Cohen released his new CD ‘Live in London’ March 31st. It was made at a live concert in London in July of 2008. Cohen is 74 years old and composing music and performing is still his passion and he continues to do it so well. He is so talented and like fine wine, he just keeps getting better with age.
Leonard Cohens been a quiet but consistent influence in the music world since the mid-60s. His sole chart topping song was the haunting Suzanne, whose lyrics first appeared in a 1966 book of poetry and were set to music in 1967. The 1967 Judy Collins cover is probably the version that most people from that time are most familiar with.
The new CD is a Columbia release as all of Cohens recordings have been over a 40-year career as a Columbia artist. Live in London is a double-dose of 26 songs across two CDs. The songs span a more than 40 year musical career, but retain their original freshness. One cant dub this a greatest hits effort, as Mr. Cohen never produced enough certified hits to nourish that format. But to his devoted legacy fans, and the new ones hes captured in his later years, most of the cuts will feel like solid gold.
The range of the musical styles reminds any who may have forgotten, just how much of a musical titan Leonard Cohen has been, and continues to be. The meticulous quality of the live recording spectacularly captures Cohens often overlooked talent as a performer. His warm and casual demeanor successfully imparts coffee house intimacy to huge, impersonal venues. Its somewhat startling that, after all this time, Cohens nicotine varnished vocal cords can continue to resonate so seductively and convincingly despite the obvious limitation in range. With mere subtle adjustments in tone, volume, and attitude he transitions from the understated tenderness of Suzanne or Dance Me to the End of Love, to the cynical wit of Everybody Knows, to the wickedness of First We Take Manhattan.
Cohen’s backup is fabulous and some audiences may be familiar with the Webb sisters who are in several of the cuts.
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