Leonard Cohen, as a songwriter, exists on a very small playing field. Some would say that only Dylan and he could occupy the same base, in fact. Whatever one's judgement (and it always boils down to a a case of tastes, in these matters) there is no denying Cohen writes verses that are about as intellectually and poetically satisfying as anyone else around. These are not just songs, but angst-ridden tone-poems that are about real-ationships that most of us who have been through the seventies and subsequent decades can absolutely relate to.

I bought this CD when it was a mere cassette, about six years ago, and it still gets lots of play. "Story of Isaac," in particular, still strikes a nerve close to the main aorta. Perhaps to truly feel the deep import of this song, one must have a child him/herself. It ranks right up there with McDuff's reaction to the news of his family's demise in in terms of emotional impact.

If you are not up on Cohen, give this CD a try. If you are, then definitely add this to your list, and if you aren't familiar with Jennifer Warne's fine cover album, "Famous Blue Raincoat," by all means add that one to your purchase list as well.

19 of 20 found the following review helpful:


Some really great covers  May 04, 2003 By E. Klein
There seem to be some very mixed reviews about this album on amazon[.com], and I feel the need to jump in with my own. First of all, let me say that I adore Leonard Cohen, the man is brilliant. However, as much as I enjoy listening to the master himself, I also enjoy listening to other people's interpretations of his work. Overall, I thought that this was a good tribute album and I listen to it frequently. However there were some disappointements. Don Henley's (Everybody Knows) & Sting's (Sisters of Mercy) renditions are rather boring. Bono's version of Hallelujah is just plain awful (which is very upsetting because one of the reasons I bought this album was because I just KNEW Bono, with his gorgeous voice, was going to present an amazing version of the song. Wrong, wrong, wrong. Shame on you Bono). But, there are also some real stand outs (after all it does merit 4 stars in my opinion). In particular I adore listening to the tracks performed by Tori Amos (Famous Blue Raincoat), Billy Joel (Light as a Breeze), Jann Arden (If It Be Your Will), Suzanne Vega (Story of Isaac), and Martin Gore (Coming Back to You). These songs alone, make this album worth purchasing and listening to, repeatedly. The remainder of the album, done by Trisha Yearwood (Coming Back to You), Aaron Neville (Ain't No Cure for Love), Elton John (I'm Your Man), Willie Nelson (Bird on a Wire), and Peter Gaberiel (Suzanne), is fine and remains true to the spirit of Mr Cohen's lyrics.

13 of 13 found the following review helpful:


Like any collection of covers you take the bad with the good  May 15, 2006 By J. Carroll "Jack"
Leonard Cohen is a brilliant songwriter. His lyrics are true poetry; a rare commodity in the world of popular music. However his "singular" style of performing can be a bit trying at times, so I really don't mind an attempt like this one. Get some talented artists together and see what they can do with his songs. Like any work of this type you will get a few high notes and low notes.
The Good:
Trisha Yearwood puts a bit too much country yodel in "Coming Back To You", but you end up believing her.

Tori Amos's sparse arrangement for "Famous Blue Raincoat" works perfectly and her delicate vocal, breathing in deeply throughout, is beautiful.(I should really think about getting some of her stuff.)

Aaron Neville gets all country on "Ain't No Cure For Love" and makes his great voice plead for a cure, which ain't forthcoming.

Willie does "Bird On A Wire " proud. Softly with guitar then organ and harmonica build up, then drums, but never changing the basic plaintive quality of the vocal.

Peter Gabriel's version of "Suzanne" is haunting and true.

Great Billy Joel on "Light as a Breeze." He makes this one his own.
"Story of Isaac" is a tough song to do convincingly, but Suzanne Vega approaches it with simplicity and intelligence.



The Bad:
Don Henley put more emotion into "Dirty Laundry" than he did on "Everybody Knows."

Sting and The Chieftains make "Sisters of Mercy" sound like an outtake from BELLS OF DUBLIN (I liked that one) this one, not so much.

"Hallelujah" by Bono is absolutely awful. I really thought Bono would make this a classic; instead he transforms this transcendent song into bad techno.

"I'm Your Man"- Elton John Trying waaay too hard.

Jann Arden's take on "If It Be Your Will" isn't really bad, just forgettable, something a Cohen song really shouldn't be.

Martin Gore makes a mistake with the synths on "Coming Back to You" but his vocals almost push it into the good side...almost.

So more good stuff than bad stuff and the good stuff will make it worth your time if your a Cohen fan.

10 of 10 found the following review helpful:


A Festival of Lyrics  Mar 15, 2002 By C Wisdom
I am addicted to Cohen's gravelly, half-octave voice. But even more than that, I admire his poetry. And part of what makes great poetry is its universality, the way it comes alive in different reader's hands. Willie Nelson's folksy rendition of "Bird on a Wire," coming a few tracks after Bono's breathy, falsetto "Hallelujah" is testament to the elasticity of Cohen's lyrics. No one is trying to be Cohen here. The artists interpret his songs in their own distinct styles--Sting and the Cheiftains' highbrow folk, Aaron Neville's lilting falsetto, Tori Amos' oh-so-earnest efforts. You can see Elton John's ostrich feathers as he belts out "I'm Your Man," and Peter Gabriel tugging at his scalp as he works through "Suzanne." I love hearing Cohen growl each of these songs. But I also love these lyrics in the hands of such a wide variety of musicians.

7 of 7 found the following review helpful:


A Great Introduction to a master poet and song writer  Jun 23, 2001
Like many others, I love Leonard Cohen's brilliant writing, but find his voice less than beautiful. This albun has some great renditions of his wonderful work. Don Henley's biting tone is perfect for Everybody Knows and Tori Amos is poignant with Famous Blue Raincoat. Trisha Yearwood and Jann Arden give sweet melodies. Bono and Martin Gore's versions are interesting and very unlike any others I have heard. And I could listen to Billy Joel sing Light as the Breeze all day -- very sexy. Unfortunately, the album does have some low points. Peter Gabriel and Willie Nelson seem to drag their songs out forever, and Suzanne Vega seems quite uninspired by the Story of Isaac. All in all, though, this album is one of my favorites. And if you like this, be sure to get Jennifer Warnes' Famous Blue Raincoat. It's incredible.

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