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Leonard Cohen: The Essential Leonard Cohen |
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Genre: Folk/Rock |
Dates: 1960's - 2000's |
When Cohen's poetry didn't command the world's ear, he backed it with melody and orchestra. While he still didn't quite make everyone pay attention, he did stake out a place of his own in the rock and roll world as the penultimate poet of late-night romantic existentialism. Sounds fun, doesn't it? Well, it usually isn't, but it sure is evocative and thought-provoking. Like all good compilations, this one shows the artist's growth, exposes you to most of the best, and takes a few chances on lesser known cuts. Picks to click: "Chelsea Hotel #2," which stars Janis Joplin; "Who By Fire," a litany of the Grim Reaper's bag of tricks; "Hallelujah," which is NOT Jeff Buckley's song; "Tower of Song," in which Cohen places himself in the context of songwriting history ("I asked Hank Williams/ 'How lonely does it get?' /Hank Williams hasn't answered yet...."); and "The Future," his vision of which is none too utopic. Never heard of him? Get with the program, man—Dylanophiles have no excuse.
Track Listing:
DISC 1:
1. Suzanne
2. Stranger Song, The
3. Sisters Of Mercy
4. Hey, That's
5. So Long, Marianne
6. Bird On A Wire
7. Partisan, The
8. Famous Blue Raincoat
9.
10. Take This Longing
11. Who By Fire
12. Guests, The
13. Hallelujah
14. If It Be Your Will
15. Night Comes On
16. I'm Your Man
17. Everybody Knows
18.
DISC 2:
1. Ain't No Cure For Love
2. Take This Waltz
3. First We Take
4. Dance Me To The End Of Love - (live)
5. Future, The
6. Democracy
7. Waiting For The Miricle
8. Closing Time
9. Anthem
10. In My Secret Life
11. Alexandra Leaving
12. Thousand Kisses Deep, A
13. Love Itself