Various Artists, Elton John, Billy Joel, Bono, Tori Amos, Sting & The Chieftains, Trisha Yearwood, Martin Gore, Peter Gabriel, Aaron Neville - Tower of Song: Songs of Leonard Cohen / Various - Amazon.com Music (original) (raw)
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Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2001
This compilation is the best in the genre of tribute albums that I have come across. The only thing lacking (and it is a black hole in terms of negligence) is a cut from Jennifer Warnes, who is the premier interpreter of Cohen's songs. Every artist on the disc shines, most especially Willie Nelson and Suzanne Vega. Nelson's rendition of "Bird on a Wire" is one of the classics of recent memory and how anyone can call Vega's interpretation of "Story of Isaac" "unispired" is not only beyond me, but belongs in another lexicon. It is brilliant and enthralling and any other adjective you wish to substitute for an synonym for great artistry.
Leonard Cohen, as a songwriter, exists on a very small playing field. Some would say that only Dylan and he could occupy the same base, in fact. Whatever one's judgement (and it always boils down to a a case of tastes, in these matters) there is no denying Cohen writes verses that are about as intellectually and poetically satisfying as anyone else around. These are not just songs, but angst-ridden tone-poems that are about real-ationships that most of us who have been through the seventies and subsequent decades can absolutely relate to.
I bought this CD when it was a mere cassette, about six years ago, and it still gets lots of play. "Story of Isaac," in particular, still strikes a nerve close to the main aorta. Perhaps to truly feel the deep import of this song, one must have a child him/herself. It ranks right up there with McDuff's reaction to the news of his family's demise in in terms of emotional impact.
If you are not up on Cohen, give this CD a try. If you are, then definitely add this to your list, and if you aren't familiar with Jennifer Warne's fine cover album, "Famous Blue Raincoat," by all means add that one to your purchase list as well.
40 people found this helpful
Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2012
I owned this album years ago and lost it in a move. I had to wait over a decade before I could find it on the internet, (including Amazon.) It was worth the wait. This really is an awesome album, with only two or three songs that are just ok. (I would take Leonard's version of "Bird on a Wire" any day. Willie can't sing either.)
The interpretations on this cd are very good covers of Leonard Cohens work. At the risk of offending die hard fans of Lenard Cohen, many of these songs are better than the original. Lenard is an exceptional writer, but not as great a performer, in much the same way as Kris Kristofferson's performance of "Me and Bobby Magee" was eclipsed by Janis' version.
Highlights:
- Ain't No Cure For Love sung by Aaron Neville shines as my favorite on the album.
- in Everybody Knows, Don Henley's visceral intonations mirror the sarcasm of the lyrics
- Light As The Breeze with Billy Joel's piano soars.
- I'm Your Man sung by Elton John rocks.
Many of the songs are not available on mp3 as part of the cover artists' recording. This cd was the only place I could find all the covers.
I love this album. If you are unsure, listen to the mp3 samples for "Everybody Knows - Don Henley", "Famous Blue Raincoat - Tori Amos", and "Light As The Breeze - Billy Joel" before buying , just to see if you will like it. Since the album isn't available as an mp3, you will have to search the individual artists.
10 people found this helpful
Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2010
This was really fun, but I think it helps to set one's expectations properly. When there are 13 different artists, evidently chosen for popularity, there are bound to be some that simply aren't to one's taste or do not ring true. A Leonard Cohen fan will want to check this out regardless.
The strange, very dark rendition of "Story of Isaac" is truly remarkable. The arrangement is fairly faithful to the original but benefits greatly by Suzanne Vega's beautiful singing and some striking percussion. I really think this is the greatest thing on the album.
Willie Nelson, Tori Amos, and Elton John all take Cohen songs and make them sound like their own. I found this to be most successful with Elton John's cover of "I'm Your Man", which I'm sure could have been a hit for him. I can sort of imagine it as a b-side to his hit "I'm Still Standing".
Fantastic, soulful performance of "Light as the Breeze". This was my second favorite track after "Story of Isaac". I thought this was great.
I hate to be negative but Bono's cover of "Hallelujah" is just horrible. You can tell that this was done in U2's Zooropa period, so I guess it kind of dates the album in a way none of the other covers do.
It's fun that there are two interesting covers of "Coming Back to You" on this album. Trisha Yearwood's country-ish cover is pretty and straight, Martin Gore's version is quirky and fun.
Peter Gabriel's cover of "Suzanne" strikes me as an experiment that didn't quite come off. A nice effort, I guess.
6 people found this helpful
Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2016
2016 has sucked. Bowie, Prince and Cohen all gone in the same year. More of Cohen's own albums need to be available in digital. his music - like Dylan - his music is much covered and this collection is very enjoyable.
3 people found this helpful
Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2010
The only reason this album's getting three stars is because it's got Leonard Cohen's lyrics, otherwise it would barely make two stars. None of the covers on this album are truly inspired. About a third of the album ranges from tolerable to decent, the rest ranges from disappointing all the way down to distressing.
Hallelujah is in my top three favorite Leonard Cohen songs, and Bono has managed to utterly destroy it. One of the more powerful songs ever written, and Bono turned it into a combination of Lemon and Numb. This song along is enough to make me want to turn the CD into a coaster.
3 people found this helpful
Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2018
my favorite tribute album to Leonard Cohen Leonard Cohen songs done by various artists over the years For the most part, great versions of his iconic pieces
2 people found this helpful
Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2020
I am really enjoying listening to this cd. It is just what I wanted.
Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2018
Fantastic complication by surprising artistic. I am big fan of Leonard Cohen and this is a treasure
One person found this helpful
Top reviews from other countries
5.0 out of 5 stars Toll
Reviewed in Germany on October 16, 2024
Wie erwartet, schnell und einfach mal gut
5.0 out of 5 stars Da Brividi
Reviewed in Italy on June 12, 2020
Canzoni fantastiche
OTTIMO PREZZO
5.0 out of 5 stars quick delivery.good cd
Reviewed in Australia on August 2, 2024
enjoyed the music.great compilation of songs and artists.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great album....but
Reviewed in Canada on January 19, 2017
Great tribute album,except for Bono's rendition of Helllula.Album has a lot more significance since the passing of Leornard Cohen
5.0 out of 5 stars Gran homenaje a LEONARD COHEN
Reviewed in Spain on December 15, 2015
Es un magnífico disco, para los amantes de Leonard Cohen, con grandes versiones de sus éxitos. Imprescindible en una colección de amantes de la música del poeta canadiense.