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The nigh-universally rapturous acclaim that attended Leonard Cohen’s 84-date world tour of 2008-09 was motivated by two things. One was an entirely laudable desire to make some offering of thanks, in the twilight of Cohen’s career, for the work of one of the most intelligent and literate songwriters of any era. The other was a straightforward acknowledgement that Cohen, sauntering assuredly through his mid-70s, appeared to be in the form of his life.
Songs From the Road, packaged as both a CD and a DVD, collects songs from shows on that tour (London’s instantly legendary O2 Arena show of November 13th, 2008, is the only one represented twice, with That Don’t Make It Junk and Famous Blue Raincoat). The DVD especially makes it clear what an astute decision this tour was, Cohen intoning his words from beneath a raffishly tilted trilby, resembling a character from an Edward Hopper painting. His songs have always been ones of experience, and on some of his earlier recordings especially he didn’t sound like he’d grown into them. But the performances here of Chelsea Hotel and Lover, Lover, Lover, delivered with an old man’s gravitas and Cohen’s luxuriantly weather-beaten voice, make it clear just how wise before their time they were.
The only possible quibbles with this are the inevitable ones concerning the tracklisting – the total lack of any selections from his 1988 masterpiece I’m Your Man seems an especially perverse dereliction. In this case, however, to fuss about what isn’t here rather than celebrate what is would amount to ingratitude of almost heroic proportions. This amounts to a terrific testament to – and from – a man whose adroit negotiation of the fine line that separates tragedy from comedy where matters of the heart are concerned has bequeathed a peerless catalogue of warm, funny dispatches from love’s fraught frontiers. And they’ve rarely sounded better than this.
--Andrew MuellerFind more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
CD Description
In 2008 Leonard Cohen embarked on his first tour in 15 years. His itinerary took him to the most prestigious and beautiful venues in virtually every corner of the globe, mesmerizing and charming audiences with performances that were hailed as some of the best of his career. One dozen of Leonard Cohen’s most famous songs from those recent world tour performances are now collected on Songs from the Road.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
72 of 72 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
When I first heard about this album, my reaction was probably the same as yours: 2 live albums from the same tour is milking it a bit.
And then I listened to it: wow.
For starters, most of the material on here is different from that on Live in London. And second, there are some really terrific versions on here, including some surprises. It's great to hear Avalanche again, for example; and the full band version of Chelsea hotel works surprisingly well. Other old favourites such as Lover Lover and the Partisan are really beautifully interpreted, too - there is no going through the motions here: this is a band at the top of its game.
This, then, it not a money-making exercise; but a really carefully compiled and wonderfully performed recording. If you saw the shows or heard Live in London, you know how good Leonard and his band are live. But this album will still surprise and delight you.
The DVD is great, and includes some backstage snippets; but some of Leonard backstage would have been nice.
This is Len's 6th live album by my reckoning, and it's up there with the best.
And then I listened to it: wow.
For starters, most of the material on here is different from that on Live in London. And second, there are some really terrific versions on here, including some surprises. It's great to hear Avalanche again, for example; and the full band version of Chelsea hotel works surprisingly well. Other old favourites such as Lover Lover and the Partisan are really beautifully interpreted, too - there is no going through the motions here: this is a band at the top of its game.
This, then, it not a money-making exercise; but a really carefully compiled and wonderfully performed recording. If you saw the shows or heard Live in London, you know how good Leonard and his band are live. But this album will still surprise and delight you.
The DVD is great, and includes some backstage snippets; but some of Leonard backstage would have been nice.
This is Len's 6th live album by my reckoning, and it's up there with the best.
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
After listening to the album twice I can only give it the highest possible rating. What a privilege to hear this artist in his mid 70's sing his classic songs with such passion, tenderness and in an atmosphere of graciousness, always humble and grateful for the overwhelming love he receives from his audience wherever he performs. Yes, the voice isn't that of thirty years ago, but we have the warmth of his personality, the wisdom of the lyrics, the extraordinary band and female background singers, each song lovingly hand picked from different shows by producer Ed Sanders and cleverly put together to give us this beautiful album.
My favourites are Lover,Lover,Lover, Famous Blue Raincoat and Hallelujah. The inclusion of That Don't Make It Junk and Waiting For The Miracle came as a surprise; I would've loved to hear Alexandra Leaving live. Most songs were performed slightly different from the studio versions, even the lyrics differ from the original, which I find interesting.
All Leonard Cohen fans should own this album together with the DVD to enjoy and to complete their collection. While listening to these well-known, beloved songs and watching him perform, I experienced a feeling of loss, of someone very precious who is now leaving us. Hopefully this is not his last live album; I guess quite a few more could come out of his 247 shows from the past three years.
My favourites are Lover,Lover,Lover, Famous Blue Raincoat and Hallelujah. The inclusion of That Don't Make It Junk and Waiting For The Miracle came as a surprise; I would've loved to hear Alexandra Leaving live. Most songs were performed slightly different from the studio versions, even the lyrics differ from the original, which I find interesting.
All Leonard Cohen fans should own this album together with the DVD to enjoy and to complete their collection. While listening to these well-known, beloved songs and watching him perform, I experienced a feeling of loss, of someone very precious who is now leaving us. Hopefully this is not his last live album; I guess quite a few more could come out of his 247 shows from the past three years.
62 of 67 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Have listened to this three or four times now. Slightly disappointing, after Live in London, which was a fantastic record - I think perhaps my main feeling is that the format of taking one song from ten or eleven different concerts doesn't really work for a Cohen live album at this stage in his career, where the cumulative rapport / connection he builds with his audience adds so much to the music. Its like finding a collection of technically accomplished sketches, but lacking a narrative.
Thats not to say that there is nothing worth listening to on this record - the opening track, a slightly slower tempo "Lover Lover Lover" was my highlight; its good to have a studio recorded live version of "Waiting for the Miracle", and "Famous Blue Raincoat" was another obvious high point - but the latest versions of many classics (which already have several live avatars) - Hallelujah, Suzanne, Bird on a Wire - all fell well short of the same songs in London versions, in my opinion.
One other comment, apart from the musician on winds, the band seem to feature less prominently. In particular, while you can still here the strings of the exceptionally talented Javier Mas, they seem to have been mixed more into the background.
Overall, worth buying to add to the collection, but not his best. I haven't seen the DVD, though, thats one caveat.
Thats not to say that there is nothing worth listening to on this record - the opening track, a slightly slower tempo "Lover Lover Lover" was my highlight; its good to have a studio recorded live version of "Waiting for the Miracle", and "Famous Blue Raincoat" was another obvious high point - but the latest versions of many classics (which already have several live avatars) - Hallelujah, Suzanne, Bird on a Wire - all fell well short of the same songs in London versions, in my opinion.
One other comment, apart from the musician on winds, the band seem to feature less prominently. In particular, while you can still here the strings of the exceptionally talented Javier Mas, they seem to have been mixed more into the background.
Overall, worth buying to add to the collection, but not his best. I haven't seen the DVD, though, thats one caveat.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
cohen at his coolest
this was taken from cohen last tour and his music is just sublime,again i was pleasently surprised to find a dvd in the case of his concert i was truly delighted thankyou leonard... Read more
Published 4 months ago by peter
Ageless
Leonard clearly is showing his age in his voice but funnily that actually enhances the songs. The different approach to some of the songs was much appreciated and overall I would... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Gurru
Awesome live recording
I think I have just about every Leonard Cohen album - and this is my favourite. The musical interpretations and recording quality are simply the best. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Dr N E Peeling
Still Going
Leonard Cohen doesn't have the voice of his youth as would be expected. The album however is good listening but one can't help thinking he should have done this 20 years ago. Read more
Published 10 months ago by dorico
A Classic "Brilliant"
This includes great performances from around the world. Super quality with the bonus of a DVD which is a super entertainment watch. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Mr. M. Devetta
Leonard Cohen - The Golden Voice continues into his 70s
I had the pleasure of seeing Leonard Cohen's Birmingham performance on this tour. It was incredible! He bounded on stage. Two 45 minute sets later and people started to leave. Read more
Published 12 months ago by TonyK
Songs from the Road
The most amazing album. Everyone involved, musicians, producers and of course Leonard himself give everything to the performance. Unique piece of work.
Published 15 months ago by uni8
One dozen diamonds in the mine
These 12 tracks from the 2008/2009 world tour were selected for their special qualities as explained by producer Ed Sanders in the sleeve notes. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Pieter
A nice companion to Live In London
This DVD/CD basically brings together the songs that Leonard didn't sing on the Live in London concert, plus some repeat performances of the better known songs. Read more
Published 15 months ago by C. keller
Joyful!
This is one of the best albums out by Leonard Cohen and has the added bonus of being live and with with a mixture of songs that are a delight on the ear!! Read more
Published 16 months ago by Greeky
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