What Are You Listening To?

[Music Head]

from my library (cd)



I did warn you high scores were coming once I got into my Cohen collection. Absolutely loving 7 of the 8 tracks on here. Lyrics don't get any better than this, and they are front and center here. Leonard can melt me when he says "Sincerely L. Cohen". He plays acoustic on all these tracks, with Paul Buckmaster conducting a brilliant string section, and very subtle use of background vocals when needed. The vocals are rough, the lyrics are superb. Reminds me of another artist from the period, who happens to be my other music idol. I may have said in my previous review of Leonards debut album, that it was my favorite, not sure. If I did I was wrong. This is it! Unknowledgeable americans could only manage to send this to #145 on the Billboard charts. At least the aussies and brits were on board, with a #8 and a #4. By the time you get to Dress Rehearsal Rag on here, you suddenly realize, you may be dealing with a madman here. Reality sets in, it's pure genius. If Songs of Love and Hate isn't Cohen's best album, it comes close enough to be essential to anyone interested in his work. Not sure who will move on to the next life first, Leonard or myself. Whoever goes first, it will have been a big loss for the other. for me, the loss of a music idol, for Leonard, the loss of his biggest fan.

I LOVE THIS ALBUM

Worst Track - Sing Another Song Boys

Best Track - Famous Blue Raincoat

It's four in the morning, the end of December
I'm writing you now just to see if you're better
New York is cold, but I like where I'm living
There's music on Clinton Street all through the evening.
I hear that you're building your little house deep in the desert
You're living for nothing now, I hope you're keeping some kind of record.
Yes, and Jane came by with a lock of your hair
She said that you gave it to her
That night that you planned to go clear
Did you ever go clear
Ah, the last time we saw you you looked so much older
Your famous blue raincoat was torn at the shoulder
You'd been to the station to meet every train
And you came home without Lili Marlene
And you treated my woman to a flake of your life
And when she came back she was nobody's wife.
Well I see you there with the rose in your teeth
One more thin gypsy thief
Well I see Jane's awake --
She sends her regards.
And what can I tell you my brother, my killer
What can I possibly say
I guess that I miss you, I guess I forgive you
I'm glad you stood in my way.
If you ever come by here, for Jane or for me
Your enemy is sleeping, and his woman is free.
Yes, and thanks, for the trouble you took from her eyes
I thought it was there for good so I never tried.
And Jane came by with a lock of your hair
She said that you gave it to her
That night that you planned to go clear --
Sincerely, L. Cohen

1) Avalanche - ***
live - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-oLmOm9vk0
2) Last Years Man - ***
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW3_j6SoHXM
3) Dress Rehearsal Rag - ***
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDc2uURjW10
4) Diamonds In The Mine - ***
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDXVcg0J2d4
5) Love Calls You By Your Name - ***
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiy7D2K7y4g
6) Famous Blue Raincoat - ***
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fMnF0Fvdpo
7) Sing Another Song Boys - **
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ibl6YTX6X1s
8) Joan Of Arc - ***
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHjnjIbwvGI

3's - 7
2's - 1
1's - 0

Grade - 2.9