Today Friday sees the light of an album that says it all in its title, Here it is: A tribute to Leonard Cohen, and that shouldn't attract attention either, especially because there are numerous tributes, reminders and returns to the ring that throughout the years have been dedicated to the author of Suzanne, who died six years ago.
But what happens on this occasion is that it is a major work, essentially because of its protagonists, since the raw material is known to be originals by the Canadian singer-songwriter, although the versions made can surprise due to their different textures and tempos. The dozen compositions chosen are part of his entire career, from his debut album Songs of Leonard Cohen in 1967 to his last album released in 2016, You want it darker, a few days before his death.
It is a collection of twelve covers produced by the legendary Larry Klein (in addition to being a renowned bass player, clients of the stature of Joni Mitchell, Herbie Hancock, Madeleine Peyroux, Melody Gardot or Tracy Chapman appear on his record as a producer), and performed by many other artists.
It is there where the difference is made because among those are Iggy Pop, Norah Jones, Peter Gabriel, Gregory Porter, Mavis Staples or James Taylor
Klein has explained why getting into this project. "Leonard Cohen had been a friend since 1982 or so, and in the last 15 years of his life he became a close friend." His attunement went beyond the professional when he says that "he was possibly the wisest and funniest friend I ever had, and someone I enjoyed, immensely, in every way. After his death, I frequently found myself covering his songs with other artists." I was working with. One reason, of course, is that the songs are so good (in a way, Leonard is the greatest pop songwriter of all time), but the other reason is that it helped keep it on the air. around me".
To the previously mentioned versioners we must add other outstanding musicians and musicians of varied stylistic origin such as Sarah McLachlan, Immanuel Wilkins, the Brazilian Luciana Souza, David Gray, Nathaniel Rateliff and Bill Frisell. All of them give life to rereadings with arrangements and instrumentations that at least attract attention because they are quite unexpected for Cohen's canons.
Another interesting fact that endorses the musical solvency of the album: a group of proven and brilliant instrumentalists was assembled to act as the backing band for the guests in the recording sessions, among whom are Bill Frisell, Immanuel Wilkins or Kevin Hayes. According to Larry Klein himself "a group of the most prescient and forward-thinking musicians in jazz."
According to the publishing record company, the highly prestigious Blue Note, this production work by Larry Klein follows the line of what he did in 2007 for keyboardist Herbie Hancock on his memorable and award-winning album River: The Joni letters (where, by the way, Leonard Cohen put his voice).
To warm up engines for today's release, several singles from the album have been released, the last one a few days ago in the form of an abrasive and disturbing version of You want it darker at the hands of Iggy Pop, who has not hesitated to ensure that "There is no one like Leonard, in all the world." Previously it had been possible to taste Famous blue raincoat by Nathaniel Rateliff, Steer your way by Norah Jones, Suzanne sung by Gregory Porter, and Coming back to you in an intense rereading by James Taylor
That last song, included on Cohen's album Various Positions (1984), was re-recorded by Taylor in Massachusetts, with support from the aforementioned Frisell, Wilkins and Hayes among others.
Taylor -from a pleasant and recent performance in Barcelona still in the minds of the attendees- explained the process of getting involved in the initiative as follows: "When Larry Klein invited me to participate in a tribute album to Leonard Cohen, I accepted immediately. Both because Larry is a great producer of great recordings and a good friend, like because, like almost everyone in my generation, I revere Leonard Cohen. As soon as I started looking for my own musical preferences, Cohen's songs were among my few favorites and had a great influence on my own progress as a songwriter".
Las canciones contenidas en Here it is: A tribute to Leonard Cohen (Blue Note) son las siguientes: Steer your way - Norah Jones; Here it is - Peter Gabriel; Suzanne - Gregory Porter; Hallelujah - Sarah McLachlan; Avalanche - Immanuel Wilkins; Hey, that's no way to say goodbye - Luciana Souza; Coming back to you - James Taylor; You want it darker - Iggy Pop; If it be your will - Mavis Staples; Seems so long ago, Nancy - David Gray; Famous blue raincoat - Nathaniel Rateliff, y Bird on the wire - Bill Frisell.
As the beginning said, the glorious Canadian singer and poet, born just ninety years ago, was a regular recipient of tribute albums even in life. In 1991 the album I'm your fan was released, a project organized by the French magazine Les Inrockuptibles, in which bands and soloists such as R.E.M., Pixies or John Cale participated.
In 1995 the album Tower of song appeared: The songs of Leonard Cohen with the participation of Elton John, Billy Joel and Bono. Ten years later, the film Leonard Cohen: I'm your man was released, directed by Lian Lunson, which included a tribute concert in Sydney with Nick Cave, Jarvis Cocker or Rufus Wainwright, also released on album.
Or also the album published in 2017 Sincerely, L. Cohen: A live celebration of Leonard Cohen, released on digital platforms on his birthday with names like Lee Ranaldo or Joan as a Policewoman.
