Customer Reviews

Cohen Live

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

One might not expect Leonard Cohen - a perfectionist who takes years to write songs and ages between albums - to be the type of artist whose songs really come alive in concert, but this excellent and amazing live albums proves them wholly and totally wrong. Armed with a professional and accomplished backing band, Leonard sings these songs with the amazingly deep voice that he began cultivating around the time of the I'm Your Man album, and has since taken to even further depths. Though some may prefer the bare monotone that he sang with on his early albums, I have always been fond of his later, deeper voice, and it's quite a treat to be able to hear many of his classics songs sung in this voice. It lends them a totally different character, and every song on this album is a universal improvement. The excellent backing musicians Leonard employs also improve the songs immensely by tossing in solos on the various instruments (several songs feature stunning solos on the guitar and oud), making practically every song an improvement over the earlier studio versions. Leonard and the band are in perfect form throughout. The man is really pouring his all into these songs, and several of the performances are absolutely revelatory and amazing: Joan of Arc, which features half of its vocals performed by a female singer (something the song has always called for) is indispensable; Hallelujah is an amazing performance made even more memorable by the addition of several new verses (as is Bird On The Wire); and If It Be Your Will and Suzanne are a pair of absolute classics, masterfully performed, that are truly appreciated by the audience. Every song on this album is a masterful performance, and many are the definitive versions. My only regret is that there are no songs from The Future, my favorite Leonard Cohen album. Alas, the album remains absolutely essential to any fan of the artist. I made the mistake of making this the last Leonard Cohen album I bought - not realizing that his songs really come alive when done in front of an audience - don't let the same thing happen to you: get this album today.

This is probably Leonard's most difficult CD to review. His fans and newcomers alike will either love it OR hate it...and it probably should have been titled "Songs of Love and Hate II". The sparse instrumentation...exquisite back-ground vocals...smokey voice...and of course always...the lyrics...makes this simply one of his best. "Bird on the Wire", "Joan of Arc","If It be Your Will"...and "Hallelujah" alone are worth the price of the entire CD! On "Hallelujah" note the slightly different words from some versions of this song...and how it has become slighly more sensual and...maybe less spiritual...then in the past. A Dark Musical Master at his best...

The lyrics. That's what we're here for- I love L. Cohen songs. Not so much his albums in their entirety (with this being the one exception), but certain songs of his... Damn. He is a singer/songwriter like no other. This CD captures performances from the early 90's, and it showcases both Cohen and his band in top form. The female background singers sound sleek and seductive, the musicians know when to take the spot and when to let Leonard do his thing- everyone knows what to do.

Usually I feel that Cohen is a superb, master songwriter, but other people cover his songs and better than he does. Concrete Blonde's cover of `Everybody Knows,' comes to mind, as does Tori Amos's spellbinding version of `Famous Blue Raincoat.' Again, this album is an exception. He shows that he can really work his material, milk it wonderfully for every ounce of lyricism. You know the songs are his. His plaintive, monochromatic voice has always been a cornerstone of his style and it has certainly aged well. The gravelly, stark delivery really fits the ambience.

And the songs! This is a great selection of Cohen's work, hands down (I just wish there were more). And several cuts are simply the best versions (in my humble opinion) you can find of the songs in question- period. `Dance Me to the End of Love,' is much better fleshed out here than on "I'm Your Man," (much of the studio atmosphere, the sound of Cohen's 80's albums, I think, works against him- those albums just sound ineluctably dated to me) and `If it be your Will,' That song slays me. Always will. The live version here (track 11- and a reason in itself to buy this CD) is sooooooo much better than the one on `Various Positions' (another 80's album that just doesn't sound good to me). `Who by Fire,' is another standout track- with a violin that drones away in a middle-eastern, harmonic minor melody... The songs segue into each other nicely, even though they were culled from a variety of shows. I never cared for `I'm Your Man,' or `Bird on a Wire,' until I heard these versions.

The only songs I don't really care for are `Everybody Knows,' (Mr. Cohen messes around with the vocal rhythm and it just sounds bad- in my opinion), and `Heart With No Companion,' (just don't like that song). I wish `Chelsea Hotel #2,' `The Stranger Song,' `Avalanche,' `Seems So Long Ago, Nancy,' `Leaving Green Sleeves,' `A Singer Must Die,' `Last Year's Man,' and `Love Calls You by Name,' had been performed as well.

Highly, thoroughly, recommended.

WOW, I love Leonard Cohen and this album certainly does not disappoint. I first "discovered" Leonard Cohen when I was a teenager and purchased the Pump Up the Volume soundtrack (which features his song "Everybody Knows"). I have never looked back. Cohen is one of the greatest singer/songwriters I have ever heard. A living legend. All of his albums are great (although some can take getting used to...much like fine wine), but I think that "Cohen Live" stands out because of the variety of songs and his incredible "live" presence. For true blue fans this is an essential recording. However, if you are someone who is just curious about Leonard Cohen, I also think that this is an excellent getting-to-know-you album. Enjoy.

I'm an avid Leonard Cohen fan, and have all his albums, but this stands out as far and away the best. Upon first listening in the car where accoustics are not fantastic, I thought I was listening to Blind Melon Chitlin when "Bird on a Wire' came on. Later, in a quiet location, I was enchanted and hypnotised.

The vocals are mostly the same, but have worn and changed with the man - a little extra here and a little changed there. The background vocals are wonderful and I never tire of the very tasteful and talented musicians - especially those from the 1993 session. Paul Ostermayer is outstanding on sax.

After listening to this album, (in a tent on a starry quiet night) I put on one of Cohen's other albums and just couldn't get into it. This is a masterpiece - one that will grow on you more every time you play it. Highly, highly recommended.

A wonderfull live recording, where Cohen shows what I've missed the last time he was in town (and I wasn't :-(

I especially like this version of "Who By Fire" which even beats the original (which would definitely be hard to beat by anyone else), but also many others.

The only downside is actually the amazing variety of Cohen's songs. And since a live concert is always some kind of retrospective, this record is not as homogenous as most of his others.

My recommendation: If you're new to Leonard Cohen, get either "Songs of Love and Hate", or the wonderfull sampler "The Best of Leonard Cohen". But this record should come soon after one of them.

A recent viewing of the superb "I'm Your Man" inspired me to go back to hear the master in his absolute prime. By any standards Leonard Cohen is on a short list of the greatest living songwriters on terra firma. Back in the days when I could sit cross-legged I listened with reverence to his first album as a wannabee hippie and ever since his songs have taught and inspired me without fail. Here in the Twenty-first century I am still "discovering" songs I missed the first time through, including "Heart With No Companion" and "Ballad of the Absent Mare." Like Twain said about his father "the older I get, the wiser he becomes."
It's amazing that the gospel of Cohen (an aptly titled future show at UCLA) is being spread by several generations, principal among them Perla Batalla who appears here as a backup singer along with the marvelous Julie Christenson. Besides being a great songwriter Cohen became an expert producer and realized he needed more than his, brilliant songs and oak solid voice to carry a show. Like Johnny Cash, Cohen has two notes; low and lower but with the seemingly limitless ranges of Batalla and Christenson alongside him, he is able to express almost every shade and depth of emotion his songs contain. Thus, we have a collection here of true classics, performed with deep passion, in front of exhilarated crowds. It's hard to imagine a better live album in the genre.
Since this recording many of these songs have been brought to light again by contemporary singers, who apply their own stamp but hearing the master sing them from his heart demonstrates his full meaning to each. From the opening strains of a spirited "Dance Me to the End of Love" to the treasured "Suzanne" Maestro Cohen gives goosebumps, insight and wisdom in his words. The music is as good as it can ever be with the powerful voices of Christenson and Batalla working as one gorgeous, descriptive narrator. Despite going on to a stellar career Batalla and Christenson provide possibly the classiest "backup" on record. When you hear the poetry of "Joan of Arc" or "If It Be Your Wil" you are connected to a great soul and great music.

Okay, I have not listened to a lot of Leonard Cohen performing over the past. I got the Ten New Songs album on LP and there are a few wonderful songs on there. I have an old Best of Leonard Cohen LP with some lovely songs, but I find that the delivery is often too dry. On the other hand, I have heard covers of his songs, one of the best being Joe Cocker's cover of Bird On a Wire from the Mad Dogs and Englishmen live album.

A friend burned me a copy of this CD and I sat down in front of the speakers. The songs and the performances absolutely mesmerized me. I don't find that this happens too often, but when it does, I take notice. Most of these songs are extraordinary and beautifully performed. Yes, his singing is not going to win any awards, but the performances and arrangements are just right, with just enough space to show off his backup singers and musicians.

This LP should be a used as a classroom example of what real songwriting craft is all about, what with all the processed and non-processed, computer generated pablum that exists in the singer/songwriter arena today. I'm generalizing, but name anyone younger than thirty two consistently turning out this many songs of sustained quality.

I highly recommend this, as you might surmise.

Anyone who has ever listened to early Leonard Cohen and loved the intelligence and sensitivity of the lyrics, but had trouble with the gravely unsteady voice will need to purchase this album post haste. Leonard has come into his own here and sings with a passion that approaches joy. He first displayed this mellow singing style on The Future, his immediately prior release, but now all the darkness of The Future is gone and this is just pure, joyful, live music performed by the absolute master of song. Buy it just for the incredible live version of Bird On A Wire. Give it a few listens and you will learn to love every note of every song. A must for any serious music collection and also (by the way) a GREAT technical recording that will make any stereo system sound terrific.

WOW, I love Leonard Cohen and this album certainly does not disappoint. I first "discovered" Leonard Cohen when I was a teenager and purchased the Pump Up the Volume soundtrack (which features his song "Everybody Knows"). I have never looked back. Cohen is one of the greatest singer/songwriters I have ever heard. A living legend. All of his albums are great (although some can take getting used to...much like fine wine), but I think that "Cohen Live" stands out because of the variety of songs and his incredible "live" presence. For true blue fans this is an essential recording. However, if you are someone who is just curious about Leonard Cohen, I also think that this is an excellent getting-to-know-you album. Enjoy.