World Citizen Cohen | The Best of Leonard Cohen

The Best of Leonard Cohen -CD audio | The Best of Leonard Cohen | Leonard Cohen

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	• The Best of Leonard Cohen Leonard Cohen Sony, 1990 average customer review:based on 63 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

The Enigma Of Leonard Cohen

Leonard Cohen always seemed to me to be the odd man out in the swirl of the folk revival of the early 1960's. Yes, sure he did his time at the Chelsea Hotel (something of a rite of passage for some singer/songwriters). He certainly, either through his music or lifestyle, did not merely represent some hippie faddism. He was just a little too old and little too proper writer, in the European sense, for that. Yet, although some of his material could well be played in the beat cafés of the late 1950's, there too his work seems too civilized for that raucous crowd. A viewing several years ago of a film documentary on his life, work and times "Bird On A Wire" only added to my confusion about where to pigeonhole Mr. Cohen.

So now you see my dilemma. In any case the best place to start to get an appreciation for the work of this very talented and driven lyricist (I cannot say much for his vocal accomplishments as it will be the lyrics that will stand the test of time, not the voice) is this compilation of his best work, circa 1975. Haven't we all had, or wanted to have, male or female, that "Suzanne" of the first song. This is probably his best known song, and I think rightly so as a secondary anthem of the 1960's. Included here are the heart-wrenching lyrics of "Bird On Wire", as well as "Sisters Of Mercy" and "So Long, Marianne". Cohen tips his hat to the Chelsea Hotel experience in "Chelsea Hotel No. 2". As I run through this list there is one thought that does occur to me. If you are in a depressed or melancholy mood it is best to save this CD for some other time. But do listen to it.

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World Citizen Cohen

"The Best Of Leonard Cohen" is distilled from his first 4 albums, and nicely summarizes his earliest 8 years as a singer. Prior to this he was chiefly known in his native Canada (since 1956) as a published poet/novelist. Cohen established himself as a major songwriter right off the bat with "Songs Of Leonard Cohen" (1967) - and continued to do so on "Songs From A Room", "Songs Of Love And Hate", and "New Skin For The Old Ceremony" (1974).

I think "The Best Of" (1975) was his most important album. He gained many new fans that were too young to know his 60's output, and were happy to catch up. Most of the people I know came to Cohen through this - then went back and bought his first four. Their continued devotion has ensured his stardom to this day. Some other examples that served the same purpose: Judy Collins' "Colors Of The Day", and Rolling Stones' "Hot Rocks".

As a late starter (not recording until in his thirties) - Cohen bypassed having any youthful embarrassments. From the first album on he came off as urbane, witty, debonair, thoughtful, and well-travelled. These were the songs of a man who had been around and learned some things. I once read that the writer Gustave Flaubert toiled for days over each sentence of "Madame Bovary". It's known that Cohen did the same, and the evidence is here. He's only recorded 7 more studio albums since (for a total of 11), and they are all worth having. His later involvement with Buddhism has only deepened his understanding and empathy. It pleases me enormously that he can still sell out a concert hall no matter where he goes in the world.

There's "More Best Of Leonard Cohen" (1997), and a 2-disc "Essential" - but for me and countless others this was our introduction. Let it be yours.

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The Best of Leonard Cohen -CD audio

Being a serious L. Cohen fan, this is a stellar collection of earlier work. In my opinion, some of his best! Not ever known for his vocal chops, lyrics that are insightful, provocative, intelligent, with arrangements that showcase his lyrics, I prefer this to the current drone of insidious hip-hop and rap rantings.

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Leonard is a Great Singer!!!

Who is a great singer, maybe someone like Whitney Houston perhaps. Yes she does have powerful voice but I don't think she even writes her own material. I don't want pick on her and her kind, I wish them all success on American Idol and beyond. Too me Leonard is the definition of a great singer! Someone who I actually want to hear singing, someone who writes great lyrics and beautiful musical accompaniment. LEONARD COHEN IS THE DEFINITION OF A GREAT SINGER!

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Awesome CD

Leonard Cohen is an awesome and insightful artist. If you are looking for something different to listen to, give Leonard a try on.

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Media Type: CD
Artist: COHEN,LEONARD
Title: BEST OF LEONARD COHEN
Street Release Date: 03/28/1988