From his early days in Montreal, Canada to his current residence at the Zen monastery on Mt. Baldy in California, artist Leonard Cohen continues to inspire songwriters and increase his cult of followers while only recording one new album within a nearly 15 year span.
The 9-year gap that separated THE FUTURE (1992) and TEN NEW SONGS (2001) was by far the longest in Leonard Cohen's recording career to many longtime fans chagrin. But the interviews with Cohen in this film seem to indicate that the fire is coming back into his belly and he might not only record again, but possibly tour.
Certainly the last musical selection in this documentary, which features Leonard Cohen performing "Tower of Song" with backing from the rock band U2 (that's right, Bono sings back-up vocals only), points up the merits of a world tour with guest artists, one that could propel the Canadian legend into the mainstream at last.
One of the most striking elements that separates this concert-docu from the many that have been released in recent years is the depth of the love that these performers and songwriters have for Cohen's music. They know how hard it is write powerful lyrics, and the fact that Cohen will spend as long as a year perfecting his verses it becomes no wonder that any other artist who hears his words for the first time is immediately a fan for life.
While some recent rock-umentaries have faltered (re: any Ramones docu) when trying to blend edited-down songs with 'talking head' interviews, this one marvelously blends both elements to the rhythm of the concert itself. Director Lian Lunson seamlessly weaves the songs and interviews together while letting the instrumental breaks underscore enough of the non-concert footage to keep the audience 'in' it. In this way, almost all of Cohen's lyrics can be heard in each selection and none of his lyrical impact is diminished.
Leonard Cohen is the 'heroin' of rock 'n' roll, in that once you've heard one of his songs you immediately want to hear more of what this man has to say. After listening to so many of his essential works in this film, you'll immediately want to hear the 'man' himself so be prepared (re: bring credit card) to leave the theater and hit the nearest record store for your post-docu 'fix' (re: stock up on Cohen's catalog or the dbl-CD that spans his entire career).
LEONARD COHEN fans unite!!! He's out of the monastery and back in the studio, so there's much more where that came from and hopefully many more new albums to come.
Music soundtrack (this will be one of the MUST-OWN albums of the year for LC-fans)
Pre-concert: Waiting for the Miracle - Sung by Leonard Cohen (album recording)
Concert numbers:
#1 - I'm Your Man - Sung by Nick Cave
#2 - A Thousand Kisses Deep - Sung by Linda Thompson & the Handsome Family
#3 - Everybody Knows - Sung by Rufus Wainwright, Martha Wainwright, with Kate (their mother) & Anna (her sister) McGarrigle
#4 - The Traitor - Sung by Martha Wainwright
#5 - Winter Lady - Sung by Kate & Anna McGarrigle w/ Martha Wainwright
#6 - Tonight I Will Be Fine - Sung by Teddy Thompson #7 - If It Be Your Will - Sung by Antony
#8 - Sisters of Mercy - Sung by Beth Orton
#9 - Chelsea Hotel #2 - Sung by Rufus Wainwright
#10 - Suzanne - Sung by Nick Cave
#11 - Death of a Ladies Man - Sung by Jarvis Cocker & Beth Orton
#12 - Anthem - Sung by Julie Christensen & Perla Batalla
#13 - Hallelujah - Sung by Rufus Wainwright, Martha Wainwright, with Joan Wasser
Post-concert performance (in New York):
Tower of Song - Sung by Leonard Cohen w/ U2
End credits song: I'm Your Man - Sung by Leonard Cohen (studio recording)
The 9-year gap that separated THE FUTURE (1992) and TEN NEW SONGS (2001) was by far the longest in Leonard Cohen's recording career to many longtime fans chagrin. But the interviews with Cohen in this film seem to indicate that the fire is coming back into his belly and he might not only record again, but possibly tour.
Certainly the last musical selection in this documentary, which features Leonard Cohen performing "Tower of Song" with backing from the rock band U2 (that's right, Bono sings back-up vocals only), points up the merits of a world tour with guest artists, one that could propel the Canadian legend into the mainstream at last.
One of the most striking elements that separates this concert-docu from the many that have been released in recent years is the depth of the love that these performers and songwriters have for Cohen's music. They know how hard it is write powerful lyrics, and the fact that Cohen will spend as long as a year perfecting his verses it becomes no wonder that any other artist who hears his words for the first time is immediately a fan for life.
While some recent rock-umentaries have faltered (re: any Ramones docu) when trying to blend edited-down songs with 'talking head' interviews, this one marvelously blends both elements to the rhythm of the concert itself. Director Lian Lunson seamlessly weaves the songs and interviews together while letting the instrumental breaks underscore enough of the non-concert footage to keep the audience 'in' it. In this way, almost all of Cohen's lyrics can be heard in each selection and none of his lyrical impact is diminished.
Leonard Cohen is the 'heroin' of rock 'n' roll, in that once you've heard one of his songs you immediately want to hear more of what this man has to say. After listening to so many of his essential works in this film, you'll immediately want to hear the 'man' himself so be prepared (re: bring credit card) to leave the theater and hit the nearest record store for your post-docu 'fix' (re: stock up on Cohen's catalog or the dbl-CD that spans his entire career).
LEONARD COHEN fans unite!!! He's out of the monastery and back in the studio, so there's much more where that came from and hopefully many more new albums to come.
Music soundtrack (this will be one of the MUST-OWN albums of the year for LC-fans)
Pre-concert: Waiting for the Miracle - Sung by Leonard Cohen (album recording)
Concert numbers:
#1 - I'm Your Man - Sung by Nick Cave
#2 - A Thousand Kisses Deep - Sung by Linda Thompson & the Handsome Family
#3 - Everybody Knows - Sung by Rufus Wainwright, Martha Wainwright, with Kate (their mother) & Anna (her sister) McGarrigle
#4 - The Traitor - Sung by Martha Wainwright
#5 - Winter Lady - Sung by Kate & Anna McGarrigle w/ Martha Wainwright
#6 - Tonight I Will Be Fine - Sung by Teddy Thompson #7 - If It Be Your Will - Sung by Antony
#8 - Sisters of Mercy - Sung by Beth Orton
#9 - Chelsea Hotel #2 - Sung by Rufus Wainwright
#10 - Suzanne - Sung by Nick Cave
#11 - Death of a Ladies Man - Sung by Jarvis Cocker & Beth Orton
#12 - Anthem - Sung by Julie Christensen & Perla Batalla
#13 - Hallelujah - Sung by Rufus Wainwright, Martha Wainwright, with Joan Wasser
Post-concert performance (in New York):
Tower of Song - Sung by Leonard Cohen w/ U2
End credits song: I'm Your Man - Sung by Leonard Cohen (studio recording)