Famous Blue Raincoat [Import]

Jennifer Warnes | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 31, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Bmg Int'l 1987
• ASIN: B000024QBF
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (57 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #164,834 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. First We Take Manhattan

2. Bird on a Wire

3. Famous Blue Raincoat

4. Joan of Arc

5. Ain't No Cure for Love

6. Coming Back to You

7. Song of Bernadette

8. A Singer Must Die

9. Came So Far for Beauty

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Since Ella Fitzgerald never produced a songbook of Leonard Cohen songs, Jennifer Warnes's plush 1986 tribute is the next best thing. The sleekly seductive "First We Take Manhattan" is gilded by the guitars of Stevie Ray Vaughan and Robben Ford. Warnes doesn't add much to an evergreen like "Bird on a Wire," but she lays claim to the noirish title song with a confidential vocal that complements the chamber-pop arrangement. "Song of Bernadette" is a ripened gem, and the selection where Warnes lets down her refined vocal technique to reveal deep emotions. More often, Warnes is as professionally accomplished on this well-chosen set as her band of studio pros. --John Milward

Product Description

Canadian edition of the hit vocalist's acclaimed 1986 collection of Leonard Cohen covers, currently out-of-print in theU.S.. Highlights include, 'First We Take Manhattan', 'Bird On A Wire' and 'Joan Of Arc' with guest vocal by Leonard Cohen. Standard jewe --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best U.S. pop albums of the last 20 years!, January 4, 2002

By 

Invisiboy2001 "invisiboy2001" (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Famous Blue Raincoat (Audio CD)

Jennifer Warnes is a singer's singer, and Leonard Cohen is a songwriter's songwriter. They are each at the front of their game...and are brilliant in unique, almost tangible ways. I am not certain whose idea this CD was, but what a wondrous pairing! Warnes adds new levels to each of the eight excellent Cohen songs she interprets here...and does a remarkable job on her songwriting collaboration with Cohen, "Song of Bernadette." Americans barely noticed this superb collection; it was overshadowed by Warnes' #1 song "The Time Of My Life" of the same year. However, I don't believe anyone can say he or she has heard Jennifer Warnes without hearing this recording first! Warnes' immaculate interepretation of "Famous Blue Raincoat" blows Tori Amos' well-known version out of the water! Just as exquisite are "Bird On A Wire," "First We Take Manhattan" and "Ain't No Cure For Love." Warnes and her co-producer, C. Roscoe Beck, handpicked a batch of amazing musicians for this 1987 CD, including a Stevie Ray Vaughan guitar performance that is mind-blowing! Snatch this CD up and listen to it like there is no tomorrow...it's brilliant!

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bright Vocals and Dark Lyrics, August 19, 2000

By 

Richard C. Katz (Scottsdale, AZ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Famous Blue Raincoat (Audio CD)

I found this outstanding CD in a store in Edinbough while traveling through Scotland in the late '80s. Perhaps the first shock is to hear Cohen's lyrics (so well-suited for his voice) sung so beautifully and passionately and so right by soprano Warnes. The vocals, instruments, arrangements, and production are all tight -- you can feel Warnes breath as she sings about love, lust, and loneliness. All the songs are winners, but "Song of Bernadette" belongs to Ms. Warnes. I'm a big fan of Leonard Cohen's books, poetry and music and this treatment of his songs by Warnes remains one of my favorite works. If you want to turn a friend onto Cohen, but are concerned that his voice (like Dylan's) may be too distracting for your friend (his or her loss), try this CD. Jennifer will win them over.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Acclaimed for its great sound when released, Warnes, February 24, 2001

By 

"musicnu" (Deerfield, IL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Famous Blue Raincoat (Audio CD)

When this CD was released, it received critical acclaim both for its quality of music and the quality of the recording. This CD was deemed a benchmark for a great warm sound that took full advantage of the digital domain. Even today, reviewers of stereo equipment use this CD to judge a products sound quality. Leonard Cohen writes very literate lyrics and haunting melodies. Jennifer Warnes does an outstanding job of interpreting these Cohen standards. You will probably recognize "Bird on a Wire" but the title song "Famous Blue Raincoat" is almost worth the price of admission just on it's on. Jennifer Warnes is a very gifted vocalist and one of those consummate artists that just never made it.The CD is no longer available in the U.S., however, the import version is available and at a very reasonable price. So you should purchase this one now before it also becomes not available.