When I asked my father if he had any Leonard Cohen LPs, he was sure he did, but admitted to not having listened to them very often. Sometimes, you just don't jump on board with something. Like, I'm sure Devendra Banhart would just blow my mind, but I'll pass. (Although, if he's today's version of Leonard Cohen, I guess that makes Natalie Portman Janis Joplin?)
Anyway, Songs From a Room was Cohen's follow-up to his critically acclaimed debut, Songs of Leonard Cohen. While not nearly as complete as his first record, Songs From a Room contains some real classics. The first cut, oft covered, is probably the best on the album.
[ mp3 ]: Leonard Cohen - Bird On A Wire
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[ mp3 ]: Leonard Cohen - Tonight Will Be Fine
I absolutely love this song. It's bouncy, almost jaunty, but the poem is anything but. It's quintessential Leonard Cohen, the crestfallen troubadour. He really knows how to subvert romanticism. He probably doesn't book too many wedding gigs.
Songs From a Room is a great record, but if you're just hearing of Leonard Cohen for the first time, you simply must buy/rent I'm Your Man. Trust me, it will do for Leonard Cohen what I Am Trying to Break Your Heart did for Wilco, and what 30th Century Man did for Scott Walker. These are artists best approached with some kind of orientation to what they are 'all about.' If you aren't yet convinced to go rent I'm Your Man, here's a little taster - one of the bonus scenes is Teddy Thompson covering Tonight Will Be Fine. It may be one of my favorite performances of all time.
If that doesn't move you, then I'm afraid I've got nothing else. BTW - great post from Sound on the Sound - Check it out...
- N.W.