Leonard Cohen - Ten New Songs

Where has Leonard Cohen been for the past nine years? The legendary songwriter's mostly been in a Zen monastery, it turns out, obsessively rewriting and polishing the oblique, lapidary lyrics for this austere collection. Ten New Songs is arguably Sharon Robinson's record as much as Cohen's--she cowrote all the songs, plays most of the instruments (primarily a synth that seems to have freshly emerged from a chintzy 1984 power ballad), and accompanies Cohen's gloomy croak with her own crooning. This is the most subdued album Cohen's ever made, which is saying something. It's as if he no longer has time for anything in music or performance that could alter the meaning and force of his words. --Douglas Wolk Amazon.com

A quiet celebration of a secret life

Although I have been a devoted LC fan for many years, truth be told there is a lot of his music I don't listen to regularly. Not so with this CD. Ever since it came out, I have found Ten New Songs a constant and steadfast companion: It provides comfort in dark times, and a muted celebratory vibe for good, quiet times. While I was (like so many) put off by the production of this CD (recorded without a proper band and the use of a drum machine), I've decided that none of this matters at all or detracts from its wondrous beauty. As others have said, this CD contains almost uniformly great, great songwriting (except for "That Don't Make it Junk" which I have never been able to completely embrace). Moreover, colloborator Sharon Robinson's vocals are absolutely gorgeous throughout.

This CD reminds us that truly wonderful music is one of a kind, just like Leonard Cohen himself.

Listen, here, to the music of our collective secret life. I am thankful it exists, now more than ever.

March 1, 2008

Leonard Cohen at his best

If I had to make a quick decision about which L.C. CD I would keep it would be this one. If you like L.C. and do not have this get it today.The only reason I di not give it 5 stars after having his poetry and music a part of my life for 40 yrs. I always anticipate something more. January 15, 2008

slip into your masterpiece

Aside from a couple really cool songs like "Waiting on a miracle" I never knew much of this artist. For me, the rush of excitement came after renting the DVD "Leonard Cohen: I'm your man". Although the DVD was mostly full of musical fans doing horrendous covers, the glimpses gleamed of the monk-like Cohen were enrapturing.

The music on this CD is lovely, strengthened immensely by Sharon Robinson. The lyrics deeply (yet simply) encompass the silence for those of us without a personal god.

"You live your life as if it's real, A Thousand Kisses Deep."

"So come, my friends, be not afraid.
We are so lightly here.
It is in love that we are made;
In love we disappear.
Though all the maps of blood and flesh
Are posted on the door,
There's no one who has told us yet
What Boogie Street is for." November 7, 2007

maybe one of his best production

This album might be one of the best of Cohen's production, even though it is very difficult to choose from so many masterpieces. I own this CD and every time I listen to it I like it more, the unusual combination of music and lyrics is perfect and makes you feel out of this world for a while. My advice is to listen to Leonard's songs with somebody you love, if not, it could be dangerous to your health. All the songs are great but maybe the heart of the album is "You have loved enough". November 1, 2007

A new Leonard Cohen fan.

Don't know how I missed Leonard Cohen in the 60's, but I am a fan now. These new recordings are fabulous. March 27, 2007

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