LEONARD COHEN: I’M YOUR MAN
August 29th 2008 05:47
“LEONARD COHEN: I’M YOUR MAN” is the motion picture soundtrack of a documentary and concert which was partly filmed in The Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House; the concert was part of Brett Sheey’s 2005 Sydney Festival, and it was called “Came So Far For Beauty”.
The performers included a diverse range of international artists including; Nick Cave, Martha Wainwright, The McGarrigle Sisters, Jarvis Cocker, Perla Batalla, the Handsome Family and Rufus Wainwright to name a few. The purpose of the concert and ultimately the documentary was to celebrate the work of singer/songwriter Leonard Cohen.
Hearing a variety of singers bring these poetically heart-stirring songs to life reminds us of the great abilities Leonard Cohen has expressed through his long career. The breadth and depth of the emotion is often carried along by a sweet combination of down beat rhythm and blues with the occasional relaxed departure into sweeping lounge tinted tango or moody country styled balladry.
Cohen himself sings with U2 on the final track of the album “Tower of song” and it lifts the spirit to hear this remarkable poet in his 70’s rock along with the best of them sounding more polished and confidant than ever.
It’s truly wonderful to revisit this cannon of work, and to be reminded of how stirring and inspirational words and music sometimes are; and perhaps most importantly how timeless a good song can be.
The CD doesn’t include every song that was featured in the original concert – nor every song that appeared in the movie, but that’s understandable given that the concert was three hours long – and it would be contentious to say these are the best moments of the program because everyone responds so differently to these songs; however it’s a musically tight act and you can feel the swells of emotion from the audience as they cheer and clap.
I love to hear a great live concert captured for posterity on a CD, and this is one definitely worth listening to again and again, even if you’ve never heard of Leonard Cohen or half of the singers on this album, you’re likely to feel quite passionate about “LEONARD COHEN: I’M YOUR MAN” it’s a cracker and a very welcome Release.
David Jobling
The performers included a diverse range of international artists including; Nick Cave, Martha Wainwright, The McGarrigle Sisters, Jarvis Cocker, Perla Batalla, the Handsome Family and Rufus Wainwright to name a few. The purpose of the concert and ultimately the documentary was to celebrate the work of singer/songwriter Leonard Cohen.
Hearing a variety of singers bring these poetically heart-stirring songs to life reminds us of the great abilities Leonard Cohen has expressed through his long career. The breadth and depth of the emotion is often carried along by a sweet combination of down beat rhythm and blues with the occasional relaxed departure into sweeping lounge tinted tango or moody country styled balladry.
Cohen himself sings with U2 on the final track of the album “Tower of song” and it lifts the spirit to hear this remarkable poet in his 70’s rock along with the best of them sounding more polished and confidant than ever.
It’s truly wonderful to revisit this cannon of work, and to be reminded of how stirring and inspirational words and music sometimes are; and perhaps most importantly how timeless a good song can be.
The CD doesn’t include every song that was featured in the original concert – nor every song that appeared in the movie, but that’s understandable given that the concert was three hours long – and it would be contentious to say these are the best moments of the program because everyone responds so differently to these songs; however it’s a musically tight act and you can feel the swells of emotion from the audience as they cheer and clap.
I love to hear a great live concert captured for posterity on a CD, and this is one definitely worth listening to again and again, even if you’ve never heard of Leonard Cohen or half of the singers on this album, you’re likely to feel quite passionate about “LEONARD COHEN: I’M YOUR MAN” it’s a cracker and a very welcome Release.
David Jobling
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