Customer Reviews

Leonard Cohen's Jukebox

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

Indeed, as the rather small print on the back says: "This CD is not authorized by Leonard Cohen." Period. Nevertheless, much of the music on this CD is worth listening to in its own right; it is certainly the most varied collection of music and poetry you will find on one disk. You figure out for yourself what the connections might be with LC's own very distinct oevre.

I always find it a bit disingenuous when an album comes out prominently using an artist's name when it's essentially nothing but a mixed tape that someone put together after talking to them.Regardless of the quality of the music, and regardless of whether the artist actually likes the music on the disc, to display the name and picture of the recommending artist in the way that this disc does strikes me as visual misrepresentation.

I share the concerns of the other reviewers and think amazon.com should accept some responsibility since the advance release mailing failed to mention that this CD was not authorized by Leonard Cohen. It might be argued that amazon.com was not obligated to make such a disclaimer, but ethically such advertising is pretty dicey given that amazon actively chose to contact customers about the release. It's one thing for Chrome Dream to issue such a recording--it's another for amazon to plug it.

The statement that "...this CD is not endorsed by Leonard Cohen..." is all you need to know.

I have not seen an album like this since the 1960's when as a kid I thought I was buying an album of Top 40 hit, only to find out that the songs were recorded by unknowns.

The artists on the CD are not unknowns, but each and every cut is of incredibly poor audio quality. But worse still, is that the arrangements or stylizing by the artist is likely nothing like you have heard before. I'm guessing that much if not all of this is public domain.

I bought this CD because the automated Amazon system, suggested it to me.

I'm going to ask them for a refund.

This is the first review I have written and I had to share it. because this CD is so very, very bad.

Very disappointing, especially that some tracks that look great on the track list (eg Dylan, Joplin) are unlistenable recording quality. A few curiosities and gems (La Complainte Du Partisan (The Partisan) - Anna Marly, Which Side Are You On? - Almanac Singers, Careless Love - Josh White, Downhearted Blues - Alberta Hunter) but overall an opportunistic mishmash which I agree has been very misleadingly marketed.

Not only is this not music by Leonard Cohen nor a collection authorized by him (both of which should be prominent disclaimers), but Amazon has neglected to even list the names of the songs and artists who are on the CD! Who will buy a CD of songs that are not identified by artists who are not named...even if it does have young Leonard's pic on the cover? Hopefully by the time you read this, Amazon will have corrected this serious oversight. It is a shame to see a single star by a CD with LC's name on it.

Shame on Amazon.com for even offering this truly terrible CD. I can only echo the negative reviews that have preceeded me, and strongly urge others to pass this one by.

A waste of money. If this is what Cohen likes listening to, let him pay to listen to it. Better yet, he should pay me to listen to it! On second thought, my time is more valuable.

I love his music...but am not thrilled with those he loves this album is tedious to me

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this CD - as a long-standing Leonard Cohen fan I thought I knew all about his musical influences but there were some surprises on this for me.

What strikes me is the variety of music on here: I can't say I liked all of it, but I'm glad I've now got such songs as the original La Complainte du Partisan (one of my favourite LC songs, both the stripped-down original and the version he's currently playing) and Unchained Melody, which I wouldn't particularly have bothered to download as single tracks.

The sleeve notes are fascinating too, in terms of scope of information as well as the little snippets (for example relating to the short-lived romance with Joni Mitchell or the significance of Tennessee Waltz) - again, some of which I knew, and some I didn't. Overall, though, the sleeve notes were a delight.

A must for any LC fan, I thought - and finally, I loved the cover photo!