Customer Reviews

Famous Blue Raincoat

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This album was released at a time when Cohen was almost forgotten, about seven years before the tribute albums "I'm Your Fan" and "Tower Of Song" would spur renewed interest in his oeuvre. Warnes' interpretations are always graceful and moving. She understands Cohen's music well, having done backing vocals on some of his albums like "Various Positions," and she covers his songs with loving dedication. My favorites include "Aint No Cure" (from Cohen's I'm Your Man), Coming Back To You (from Various Positions), Came So Far For Beauty (from Recent Songs) and of course the formidable Joan Of Arc where Cohen himself sings some of the verses. Her voice is the perfect vehicle for his poetic lyrics of romantic longing and despair, and my only complaint is that I would have loved to hear her interpretations of Suzanne and Sisters Of Mercy too.

A wonderful collection of Leonard Cohen songs. All the tracks, unusually, are works of art, there are no fillers here. From the intro of "First we take Manhattan", a completely different version of the original, to the end of "came so far for beauty", the album is captivating. The production is superb and can really challenge a decent hi-fi system. The vocals are natural and come out of an eery black silence. Jennifer is beautiful singer and deserves more recognition. "song for Bernadette" is a seminal moment, don't hurry this album, savour it. Cameos from Leonard himself and Stevie Ray make this album a must.

Leonard Cohen writes quite the most beautiful lyrics and music which are more poetry, but unfortunately for me at least always delivers them in a most melancoly monotone style himself which I don't always want. Jennifer Warnes has transformed these songs with bright and musical arrangements, fantastic delivery, expression and her unique wonderful voice and brings them to life.

If you have always wondered what all the fuss was about with Leonard Cohen, this is the introduction you are looking for, perhaps before taking the plunge and going hard core with one of the masters own albums.

Simply superb.

I first discovered Jennifer Warnes' take of "First we take Manhatten" on a promotional CD from one of the World's leading microphone manufacturers, whose mics had been used to capture the incredibly tight drum sound on this album. It's a spectacular recording which compliments, rather than detracting from, a set of superb musical performances.

Cohen himself is reported to have listened to some of the instrumental takes, before Warnes added her voice, and to have been incredulous that it would work. Apparently he was later rather stunned by the result. He sings in duet with Warnes on "Joan of Arc".

Altogether an excellent interpretation of Cohen's work, a superb range of musical styles, and a CD for the Hi-Fi Buff to die for. In fact, that's the only real caveat - it sounds SO good on decent equipment, that it may lead the buyer down the hi-fi upgrade path!

This is an exceptionally beautiful set of songs on one album. Undoubtedly Leonard Cohen was right in letting Jennifer Warnes sing his music. She has the passion, the insight, and the depth to bring these songs to life in a way which ---- oddly ---- Leonard Cohen's quavering voice seems unable to do. Mind you, this album is a tribute to Cohen's ability as a poet and composer. I wholeheartedly recommend this album. By the way, my wife does love this album; it was she who introduced me to it.

This is the Leonard Cohen album for people who've never heard the originals. Of course Jennifer Warnes is a far better `singer' than Cohen but there's a few on here which would have a true Cohenite twitching (`First We Take Manhattan' is, if you've heard the original, something of a travesty).

But - but - but the title track is beautiful, absolutely stunning; the old boy turns up himself to add gravitas to `Joan Of Arc' and Warnes really does have a fabulous voice and the arrangements are, for the most part, really rather good.

Ok, ok I didn't want to like it - I was going to get all snotty about it - but, gulp!, I can't help it. I like the damn thing

Can you believe this album is twenty years (+) old? I can't at all. In one instant the time passing has seemed interminable, and in another instant it seems to have passed like the blink of an eye. I remember how I heard about this album. I saw Joan Baez perform at Carnegie Hall in the fall of 1987 and she sang "Famous Blue Raincoat" in her concert. I ran to a record store the next day and, appropriately fevered, bought this album. I was excited because I was a fan of Jennifer Warnes from her Arista Records days ("Right Time of the Night" and "I Know a Heartache When I See One"), and while I knew of her connection to Leonard Cohen (she is credited as background singer Jennifer Warren on Cohen's 1973 album "Live Songs"), finding her singing a full album of Leonard Cohen's material was enough to send my young soul into orbit.

My initial impression on first listening was that "Famous Blue Raincoat" and "Joan of Arc" (duet with Leonard Cohen) were the album's peak moments. Time has not diminished that belief. But the program overall is brilliant as are the performances and production. Jennifer Warnes' vocals do these songs justice. But if you listen to any of her earlier albums, you will find that she enhances the quality of all of the songs she sings. This disc is as exciting to listen to twenty years later as it was when it was first released.

P.S.: Just read that an expanded version of this album is to be released in the near future. How fortunate for us!

In all of the reviews no one has mentioned the title track (famous blue raincoat)this is one of the most impassioned pieces of music ever recorded with a sax solo to make men weep.

On a good hifi with the lights down low listen to the torment in the words and be grateful its not you!! Seriously though it is a seminal album and one i have played now for many years always returning to it and being blown away. Buy it.

Truly the best interpretation of Leonard Cohen's work - Jennifer Warnes' voice is stunningly beautiful in itself but, as a true friend to Leonard she has brought insights that lend tone and colour that make this a must have album.

I've had this sometime now and I'd list it as a well "Crafted Album". What excel's in this to me is the depth of clarity in songwriting, coupled with the good choice of voices to bring alive the music. "Famous Blue Raincoat" stands as a clever picture in song writing, painting a true scene in music to give a true insight into the mind of the writer. "Joan of Arc" itself is strong as a duet with that 'must sing-a-long' feel. "A Singer Must Die" itself stands to display the quality of the fine singing voices used to good effect. In all, it's recommended for those who like quality music especially if you too have a deep passion in Music. The other tracks are all good in their own right, so take time to listen carefully and draw much from this great effort.