Leonard Cohen latest

Posted by: Bruce Woodhouse on 16 October 2001

Never bought a Leonard Cohen album before but have always been slightly curious. Great reviews for the latest 'Ten New Songs' made me decide to take the plunge and I am delighted i did. Wholeheartedly recomended.

Any others by him I really should investigate?

Bruce

Posted on: 17 October 2001 by von zipper
Start with his breathtaking debut,'Songs of Leonard Cohen'and his 2nd release 'Songs from a room' which are both wearily superb and feature some true classics.His voice is not to everyones taste but the quality of his songs outshine any weakness in the tonsils IMO.Other favourites of mine are 'Various Positions' and probably the best of his later work 'I'm Your Man' which both offer a more commercial & modern sound.But be warned -Too much Leonard in one go at this time of year can be detrimental to your health! frown
Posted on: 17 October 2001 by Bruce Woodhouse
I knew he was a famous depressive but this new album is actually more upbeat than I expected, more soulful than wrist-slashing!

Bruce

Posted on: 17 October 2001 by von zipper
Put it this way-The samaritans have a recruitment appeal everytime they hear he's got a new album coming out... razz
Posted on: 18 October 2001 by Dave Hartley
Being a long time fan of LC I tend to listen late at night with a nice glass of whiskey to hand and listen to the Lyrics, with friends listening these songs always initiate questions followed by long discussions as to the meanings of his lyrics.

" Last Years Man" is probably the best example. I have spent hours and days discussing these lyrics and there intended meaning.

It's on his Greatest Hits Album, not sure which album it was taken from.

You must listen to this track....!

Dave

Posted on: 30 October 2001 by Wolf
LA Times in the last month had an interview with him and he spent 5 years in a Buddhist monestery here in SoCal and now back living with the kids. Said he wrote and composed while he was there, but suddenly the depression lifted and he felt he needed to rejoin society (the living?). Look it up on the web. I'm game to buy it I have a compilation of his work and not at all opposed to meloncholy or dark passages.
Posted on: 30 October 2001 by Mike Sae
Being a twentysomething Canadian, LC's The Future was the "breakup" album in my highschool.

Synths be damned, that's my favorite one. Highly recommended

Posted on: 30 October 2001 by SaturnSF
BTW, "Ten New Songs" is available on vinyl.
Posted on: 30 October 2001 by John
I am listening to the new LC as I write. Sounds great, it has a very consistent mood which is very well suited to LCs voice and lyrics. Picked it up (vinyl) from HMV on the net for $12.99Cdn. Highly recommend it if you like Cohen. Sonics are fantastic.

Also recommend Dylan's latest on vinyl. I love Dylan's music and his continual ability to invent something new and fresh.

John

Posted on: 11 November 2001 by Larry
Absolutely cracking latest album! and as usual the sound is excellent.
I'll be digging out all his earlier stuff tomorrow night for a serious listening session, (even the kids pop in to request their own favourite tracks).
Larry
Posted on: 13 November 2001 by von zipper
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Patrick James:
Quote: "Originally posted by SaturnSF:
BTW, "Ten New Songs" is available on vinyl."

Does anyone know where _Ten New Songs_ can be got on vinyl in the UK?

Patrick,
Try http://www.diversevinyl.com/htm/home.php

They have it on vinyl (although they aren't the cheapest source around.)Theres a couple of shops in London with a good stock of Vinyl if you can get to them.Try Selectadisc or Sister Ray on Berwick St. or Intoxica, on Portabello Road, will have it as well- you can mail order from them, although once again, they can be pricey.

smile

Posted on: 13 November 2001 by von zipper
Patrick,

Sorry - I've got all muddled .You can get DYLANS new album on vinyl from the shops mentioned. Not sure if Lennys one is available over here - I'm checking it now. mad

Posted on: 13 November 2001 by von zipper
Re. Lennys new 'un
Looks like it's available from thursday (15th)although I don't know whether thats a UK pressing or not.Diverse Vinyl are apparently going to have it so give them a ring.
Posted on: 21 November 2001 by Claus
quote:
Originally posted by Dave Hartley:
Being a long time fan of LC I tend to listen late at night with a nice glass of whiskey to hand and listen to the Lyrics, with friends listening these songs always initiate questions followed by long discussions as to the meanings of his lyrics.

" Last Years Man" is probably the best example. I have spent hours and days discussing these lyrics and there intended meaning.

It's on his Greatest Hits Album, not sure which album it was taken from.

You must listen to this track....!

Dave

Oh yes, I too have spent countless afternoons and evenings with friends listening to LC's songs and lyrics. Many of his songs from that era are worthy of hours and hours of interpretation - and you never know for sure if you get it!

"Last Year's Man" is from the album "Songs of love and hate", from which also comes original versions of "Famous blue raincoat" and "Joan of Arc". Very good album indeed - and available on vinyl from Simply Vinyl.

Other LC "must have" albums are IMHO:

"New skin for the old ceremony"
- my favourite LC??? Close call between this and his first "Songs of LC". Includes "Chelsea Hotel", "A singer must die" and "Take this longing" - three of his best and most beautiful songs ever.

"Songs of Leonard Cohen"
Mentioned by others, I can only second that.
Includes "Suzanne", "Sisters of mercy" and the great "One of us cannot be wrong"

"Songs from a room"
Again mentioned by others but really a must have. Took me (some 18 years ago!) a little time to get on with this one, the songs are not exactly happy ones, but it definitely is a must.

"Recent songs"
If not a "must have" then very close. For me it is.

"I'm your man"
"The Future"
"New style" with much more orchestra, synths and so on. Very different to the earlier albums.
The first one is a must, "Take this waltz" and the title song are top picks. The Future album comes very close too.

The simplicity, intensity and beauty of the "old style" can be simply stunning! Poetry!

LC is a source for a lot of great songs that will survive for decades (most of them already have!). If you believe in "source first" then LC is essential in your music collection.

Cheers,
Claus

PS: I have even read a couple of his books. Too weird and difficult to understand for me though!

Posted on: 07 November 2003 by ken c
if i have "greatest hits" (columbia), what other LC albums should i get that are sufficiently different i.e. difference songs?

many thanks and

enjoy

ken
Posted on: 07 November 2003 by Tarquin Maynard - Portly
I started with "Songs of Leonard Cohen". Best place to start IMO

The man is much maligned but has made some great music over the years, really beautiful lyrics and wonderful melodies.

I saw him at the Hannersmith Odeon late 70s; he got 13 encores.

Regards

Mike

On the Yellow Brick Road and happy
Posted on: 07 November 2003 by ken c
mike, many thanks. i guess i was looking for one or more of his albums with as many different songs as possible from greatest hits. but i suppose SOLC is a must...

enjoy

ken
Posted on: 07 November 2003 by Claus
Ken,

As I mentioned above "New skin for the old ceremony" is imho perhaps his best album ever. Still, only a few songs from this one are included on the Greatest hits cd.

Get it - or regret it! Big Grin

Cheers,
Claus
Posted on: 07 November 2003 by ken c
claus, many thanks

enjoy

ken