Frequently Bought Together
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Product Description
Amazon.ca
Though he's long been revered as the brooding writer of some of Canada's most famous contemporary verse, Leonard Cohen's wicked sense of humour has often been overlooked. Rarely is the balance of tragedy and comedy as compelling as it is on 1979's Recent Songs, the low-key follow-up to the Phil Spector-produced Death of a Ladies' Man. A beguiling softness and warmth that recall his earliest recordings replace the aggression of that album. The softly strummed guitars and delicate violin lines perfectly suit the opener, "The Guests" (also the opening song for Cohen's TV special, I Am a Hotel), and bittersweet love songs like "The Window" and "The Traitor." Yet his sense of the perverse is evident in the mariachi arrangement (!) for French-Canadian folk tune "The Lost Canadian (Un Canadien Errant)" and in the conceit of "Ballad of the Absent Mare," in which Cohen likens himself to a forlorn cowboy and his errant lady to a disagreeable horse. Only a great lover could get away with that sort of thing. --Jason Anderson
Product Description
Limited 180gm vinyl LP pressing of this 1979 album from the Canadian singer/songwriter. Music On Vinyl.
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
Format:Audio CD
Not widely recognized as being a very good Leonard Cohen album, but it, in fact, is. A lovely use of violins throughout and the presence of the band Passenger on several tracks, makes this the best Leonard Cohen album, musically. There are actually fairly-long musical interludes and solos on this album, which is somewhat rare for Cohen... hence, the longer-than-usual running times of the songs on this album compared to previous ones. This is, of course, in addition to his usually brilliant lyrics. They are more poignant here, in fact, than almost any place else. Some of his most beautiful songs lie herein. The opener, The Guests, is a perfectly sardonic way to open the album. Humbled In Love is lyrically similar, in it's delivery, and about as good. Songs like The Window, The Traitor, and The Smokey Life, are excellent, seemingly highly-confessional songs that fit nicely into Cohen's repetoire. However, my personal favorite off the album is Came So Far For Beauty, a poignant, absolutely beautiful touching little piece with a totally appropriate musical backing. The cover of the Lost Canadian is also a nice addition. The allegerical Ballad of The Absent Mare brings the album to a triumphant close. A must-own.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
My favourite Leonard Cohen album of all time is "Songs of Love and Hate". And it wasn't until I heard "Recent Songs" that I found an album that matched "SOL+H"'s lyrical and musical beauty.
After his ridiculous collaboration with Phil Spector - "Death of A Ladies Man" - , "Recent Songs" was a wonderfully welcome return to form. Among my favourites songs on this album are "The Window" - a beautiful song in the tradition of "Last Year's Man"; "Un Canadien Errant", sung entirely in French by the Montreal born Cohen; "The Guests", "The Gypsy's Wife", and "Ballad of the Absent Mare".
This is a must-own for any Leonard Cohen fan. And it should also be pointed out that this is the last album Leonard Cohen recorded before his voice transformed into the gravely sound which has been his trademark since "Various Positions".
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By M. Gleason
Format:Audio CD
From the Gypsy Wife to the Smokey Life, this Errant Canadian scores a hit. Every song is fresh, densely packed lyricaly and a variety of musical arrangements give the package a depth.
This is an excelent album to "get into" Leonard Cohen.
Want to see more reviews on this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 28 reviews
4.2 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding Album
This isn't just one of Cohen's best records, it's one of the best albums ever made. Came So Far For Beauty, The Traitor and The Gypsy's Wife are all amazing songs that easily... Read more
Published 18 months ago by M. Wasserman
5.0 out of 5 stars
OH MOTHER OF GOD....
This is the first LC album I've ever heard, and I've got a bad feeling that I'm going to do something crazy tomorrow -- LIKE BUY THE REST OF HIS ENTIRE CATALOG IN ONE SHOT --... Read more
Published on Jan 10 2002 by wordnat
2.0 out of 5 stars
For fans only
I am a Leonard Cohen fan. I think he's great. This is not his best effort by any means. 'Came So Far for Beauty' is a good song that approaches his other work. For the rest ... Read more
Published on Dec 25 2001 by "ellerp"
2.0 out of 5 stars
For fans only
I am a Leonard Cohen fan. I think he's great. This is not his best effort by any means. 'Came So Far for Beauty' is a good song that approaches his other work. For the rest ... Read more
Published on Dec 25 2001 by "ellerp"
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tender, intricate and soulful songs
Recent Songs of 1979 might well be one of Cohen's most delicately poetic albums in its exquisite rendering of spiritual themes, employment of exotic instruments like the oriental... Read more
Published on Jun 28 2000 by Pieter Uys
4.0 out of 5 stars
"But the rumors of my virtue, they moved her not at all ..."
I don't know how to describe this album. The songs it contains are beatiful, but somehow intangible. Read more
Published on May 23 2000
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Rare Genius of a Maestro
The Rare Genius of a Maestro
The unmistakable talent of Leonard Cohen was apparent from his early days, but when one looks at his work in chronological order (see below), then... Read more
Published on Feb 28 2000 by Marius Jordaan
5.0 out of 5 stars
My top Cohen album
Underrated, probably because it is relatively unknown. Not typical of later Cohen. Very lyrical. Some of his best poetry. The French song is weak. Read more
Published on Feb 15 2000
5.0 out of 5 stars
The most underrated of Cohen's works . . .
it contains several masterpieces. "The Traitor" is one of the most subtle and terrifying songs ever recorded: "I kiss her open mouth and I praise her beauty/ And... Read more
Published on Sep 4 1999
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not at his best
I love Cohen's songs, but I think this album is rather weak. May be his 'less convincing' of all! If you are not a big fan, avoid it (try 'I'm your man', 'the future', or his... Read more
Published on July 19 1999
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
- Music > Alternative Rock > Canadian
- Music > Classic Rock > Folk Rock
- Music > Folk > Canadian > Alt-Folk
- Music > Folk > Canadian > Contemporary Folk
- Music > Folk > Canadian > Folk Rock
- Music > Folk > Canadian > Singer-Songwriter
- Music > Folk > Folk Rock
- Music > Folk > Traditional Folk
- Music > Pop > Singer-Songwriters
- Music > Rock > Canadian Rock > Singer-Songwriters
Feedback
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
