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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Leonard Cohen must be the envy of countless singer-songwriters. Who else has been cozily buffered from the ravages of pop music than this eminent but never particularly prominent Canadian wordsmith? Nearing four decades as a recording artist, Cohen has never left his original label, despite failing to ever register anything resembling a commercial hit. Long ago shed of the "new Dylan" trappings that greeted his first recordings, Cohen now cushions his carefully wrought lyrics in smooth keyboard-and-vocal-heavy arrangements that owe far more to MOR pop and cabaret then folk-rock. His words and delivery have become more nuanced and playful as he's grayed. Listen to the sexy self-deprecation of "Because of" ("Because of a few songs/ Wherein I spoke of their mystery/ Women have been/ Exceptionally kind in my old age") or the weary resolve of his 9-11 statement, "On That Day" ("Did you go crazy or did you report/ On that day…they wounded New York?"). Dear Heather, likes its creator, is at once new and old, familiar and fresh. --Steven Stolder
Product Description
Latest release of new music from legendary writer & performer. Leonard has sold more than 12 million albums worldwide. Devoted following from this Canadian Singer songwriter. Leonard Cohen has recorded 9 studio albums, three live albums & two greatest hits collections. He has published 11 books including 2 novels.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
83 of 94 people found the following review helpful
By Juan Mobili
Format:Audio CD
Reviewer: Juan Mobili After 2001's Ten New Songs, Cohen returns with a stunning new album, which clearly show than certain artists in their seventies, thankfully, are far from done with honing in their well-crafted wisdom.
Unlike his last album, Sharon Robinson's production allows Cohen's voice to carry the heft of these poems, whether sung or spoken. Actually, where Ten New Songs was more a collaboration than Leonard's solo album, Dear Heather finds her providing great vocals -specially in the The Letters- and more measured in the use of female back-up singers.
As far as I'm concerned, this is the work of a man who has meditated on mortality and found peace and reasons for gratitude, and yet remains unsentimental although more tender about his life. Here, Cohen's poignant and breathtaking poetry achieves a clarity only matched by its courage.
The first two examples which come to mind are Because Of ("Because of a few songs / Wherein I spoke of their mystery, / Women have been / Exceptionally kind / to my old age."), and The Letters (The wounded forms appear: / The loss, the full extent; / And simple kindness here, / The solitude of strength"), which are gorgeous expressions of a man settling accounts, whether thay may need to be apologies or gratitude.
Ultimately, this album shows more hope than somberness. Although Cohen could be called an elder of the dark and brooding song, he's, beneath it all, struck by beauty and loyal to a richer soul. This is an album about a vibrant life bared for examination, and the lesson is love, love above all else.
As he says in Villanelle For Our Time, a Frank Scott poem he musicalized:
"From bitter searching of the heart,
Quickened with passion and with pain
We rise to play a greater part.
This is the faith from which we start:
Men shall know commonwealth again
From bitter searching of the heart."
Unlike his last album, Sharon Robinson's production allows Cohen's voice to carry the heft of these poems, whether sung or spoken. Actually, where Ten New Songs was more a collaboration than Leonard's solo album, Dear Heather finds her providing great vocals -specially in the The Letters- and more measured in the use of female back-up singers.
As far as I'm concerned, this is the work of a man who has meditated on mortality and found peace and reasons for gratitude, and yet remains unsentimental although more tender about his life. Here, Cohen's poignant and breathtaking poetry achieves a clarity only matched by its courage.
The first two examples which come to mind are Because Of ("Because of a few songs / Wherein I spoke of their mystery, / Women have been / Exceptionally kind / to my old age."), and The Letters (The wounded forms appear: / The loss, the full extent; / And simple kindness here, / The solitude of strength"), which are gorgeous expressions of a man settling accounts, whether thay may need to be apologies or gratitude.
Ultimately, this album shows more hope than somberness. Although Cohen could be called an elder of the dark and brooding song, he's, beneath it all, struck by beauty and loyal to a richer soul. This is an album about a vibrant life bared for examination, and the lesson is love, love above all else.
As he says in Villanelle For Our Time, a Frank Scott poem he musicalized:
"From bitter searching of the heart,
Quickened with passion and with pain
We rise to play a greater part.
This is the faith from which we start:
Men shall know commonwealth again
From bitter searching of the heart."
76 of 87 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
What hogwash the few reviewers have given this album. I own all 11 cds from him and "Dear Heather" is definitely above such lows as 1979's "Recent Songs" or 1977's "Death Of A Ladies Man". Is it as sharp as his first three albums? No. Is it as strong as "I'm Your Man" or "The Future"? No. But it definitely has its place in his canon of work.
Just keep in mind that before all these bands like Radiohead, Keane, Travis, Snow Patrol, etc. There was Leonard Cohen (even before The Cure). Cohen is virtually without peer at 70 years of age. There are some great songs on "Dear Heather" like "Go No More A-Roving", "Because Of", "The Letters", "Morning Glory", "Villanelle For Our Time", "Dear Heather" and "Nightingale". In fact, "The Letters" and "Villanelle" are two of his finest works. "Dear Heather" is a strange, almost Laurie Anderson-like piece of song that shows, even at 70, Cohen is still willing to take musical risks.
"Dear Heather" is an unusual mix of modern engineering with an antiquated musical feel (some of the songs are waltzes) and vintage instrumentation (I believe he uses the mouth harp on two different songs!)
Overall, I was pleased with this album more than 2001's "Ten New Songs". This one has more musical variety. I find it strange that the few Cohen reviews here are very mixed (as if this album was a radical departure or something?!!) Ridiculous. If you are a Cohen fan, you should buy this and add it to your collection.
Just keep in mind that before all these bands like Radiohead, Keane, Travis, Snow Patrol, etc. There was Leonard Cohen (even before The Cure). Cohen is virtually without peer at 70 years of age. There are some great songs on "Dear Heather" like "Go No More A-Roving", "Because Of", "The Letters", "Morning Glory", "Villanelle For Our Time", "Dear Heather" and "Nightingale". In fact, "The Letters" and "Villanelle" are two of his finest works. "Dear Heather" is a strange, almost Laurie Anderson-like piece of song that shows, even at 70, Cohen is still willing to take musical risks.
"Dear Heather" is an unusual mix of modern engineering with an antiquated musical feel (some of the songs are waltzes) and vintage instrumentation (I believe he uses the mouth harp on two different songs!)
Overall, I was pleased with this album more than 2001's "Ten New Songs". This one has more musical variety. I find it strange that the few Cohen reviews here are very mixed (as if this album was a radical departure or something?!!) Ridiculous. If you are a Cohen fan, you should buy this and add it to your collection.
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful
By WJL
Format:Audio CD
I do not wish to comment on or intellectualise about Leonard's lyrics. Myriad attempts are constantly made to deconstruct Leonard's work and my penny's worth would be both futile and pointless. I can only say that to me it does not matter what Leonard writes, how arcane, cryptic or esoteric, he communicates to me in some magical way. I may be unable to consciously decipher what it is of which Leonard speaks, but the words evoke a deep emotional response in me. What is this magic that he wroughts?
On to simpler matters, it is nice to hear real instruments edge in again on a Cohen album. And while this is not intended as a reflection on Sharon Robinson or her considerable talent and ability, to my ear Anjani Thomas is a much finer partner to Leonard. Her voice is sweeter, her piano flourishes and her arrangements more ethereal and attractive. Leonard meanwhile fades further into the background, his voice reaching ever more sepulchral depths. Perhaps on the next album he will be audible only to elephants?
Time will tell if the songs are strong enough to cement themselves into our psyches like the ubiquitous entries from the classic Cohen oeuvre. But I personally have been unable to remove Undertow from my head for days now. Anjani's pure and moving lead vocal backed by Leonard's quiet rumble is achingly beautiful.
Dear Heather has faults, for certain. But listening to it I feel that aforementioned Cohen magic wash over me. There is something in Leonard's ragged croak - gentleness, wisdom, I really don't know - that grips me and makes me listen in awe. He speaks to us from a different, more heavenly place. There is the gentle pace, the delicate and original arrangements, the angelic voices of Sharon and (especially) Anjani, the timelessness and serenity of the sound. Perfect in its imperfection, a rare treat in today's programmed world of packaged pop tarts and angry tuneless rappers, I cannot rate Dear Heather less than 5 stars.
On to simpler matters, it is nice to hear real instruments edge in again on a Cohen album. And while this is not intended as a reflection on Sharon Robinson or her considerable talent and ability, to my ear Anjani Thomas is a much finer partner to Leonard. Her voice is sweeter, her piano flourishes and her arrangements more ethereal and attractive. Leonard meanwhile fades further into the background, his voice reaching ever more sepulchral depths. Perhaps on the next album he will be audible only to elephants?
Time will tell if the songs are strong enough to cement themselves into our psyches like the ubiquitous entries from the classic Cohen oeuvre. But I personally have been unable to remove Undertow from my head for days now. Anjani's pure and moving lead vocal backed by Leonard's quiet rumble is achingly beautiful.
Dear Heather has faults, for certain. But listening to it I feel that aforementioned Cohen magic wash over me. There is something in Leonard's ragged croak - gentleness, wisdom, I really don't know - that grips me and makes me listen in awe. He speaks to us from a different, more heavenly place. There is the gentle pace, the delicate and original arrangements, the angelic voices of Sharon and (especially) Anjani, the timelessness and serenity of the sound. Perfect in its imperfection, a rare treat in today's programmed world of packaged pop tarts and angry tuneless rappers, I cannot rate Dear Heather less than 5 stars.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cohen is king
If you're not already a Leonard Cohen fan, you may not understand his appeal. Unsurpassed lyrics and amazing musicianship - Cohen is king. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Lora F.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent CD
I bought this because I like the title song and am very happy with the rest of the list, the cd came very quickly and in perfect condition. Read more
Published 8 months ago by elainegiraffe
4.0 out of 5 stars
Dear Heather Leonard Cohen
All the songs are true Cohen. The title song was not what I'd hoped for, but it, like all of Leonard Cohen's songs grows on you. If you like LC you will enjoy this album.
Published 10 months ago by Michael Boggia
2.0 out of 5 stars
Old Ideas
There are some good songs on Dear Heather. So why two stars? It is simply not up to the very high standard we have come to expect from Leonard Cohen. Read more
Published 23 months ago by David B. Jones
5.0 out of 5 stars
He's My Man
I love all of Leonard Cohen's music, especially the music of the last two decades. "Dear Heather" is quite different, yet also hits the spot for me ~ evocative of numinous depths. Read more
Published on November 29, 2010 by visualpurple
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beguiling album, one that grows on you over time...
Many have written that this album is minor Leonard Cohen, but the more I listen to it, the more it grows in depth, sadness, poetry, and beauty. Read more
Published on May 3, 2009 by Grigory's Girl
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dear Heather
Dear Heather being Cohens 2004 recording is a splendid record. Cohen was 70 at the time and his vocal skills have certainly not suffered. Read more
Published on September 25, 2008 by Bjorn Viberg
2.0 out of 5 stars
Ah- the old days...
From a tragic LC fan- just saw LC live in London and he was awesome- brought the wisdom and power of age to the old and even older lyrics! Read more
Published on July 25, 2008 by Daniel Taylor
3.0 out of 5 stars
Intriguing, But Certainly Not Classic
Leonard Cohen's dense, sometimes morbid work can be an acquired taste, whether you're reading his two novels, perusing his several books of poetry, or listening to his albums of... Read more
Published on April 4, 2007 by Robert L. Smith
3.0 out of 5 stars
The Slow Demise of the Ladies' Man
It took me quite a few listens to warm up to this CD. Cohen's voice, which has never been strong, seems to have faded to raspy whisper. Read more
Published on January 26, 2007 by Jim Doss
Listmania!
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