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List Price: $15.93 | | Label: Sony
Salesrank: 533
Released: October 22, 2002 |
| Our Price: $9.94 |
| Used Price: $8.99 |
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| Media: Audio CD |
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Editorial Review:
This two-disc retrospective traces the Canadian bard's musical maturity from poet and novelist who sang a little to multidimensional artist whose oracular vocals and increasingly rich arrangements are every bit as compelling as his verse. Even when Cohen came to prominence through the 1960s songcraft of "Suzanne" and "Bird on a Wire," the "folksinger" tag never really fit. Later highlights ranging from the deadpan drollery of "Tower of Song" and "Everybody Knows" to the apocalyptic anthemry of "First We Take Manhattan" and "Democracy" suggest that other labels might be more appropriate: cabaret surrealist, spiritual gadfly, sensual prophet, agent provocateur. Cohen chose the selections, drawing more than half of the 31 tracks from three landmark albums--his 1967 debut Songs of Leonard Cohen, 1988's I'm Your Man, and 1992's The Future--along with four from 2001's Ten New Songs. The collection justifies its title as deep as it goes, though it's a shame that Cohen's commercial profile couldn't justify the more elaborate box set his artistry warrants (one that would at least include lyrics and musician credits). Those who sample the consistently inspired music here might come to the conclusion that everything Cohen records is essential. --Don McLeese
Essential Leonard Cohen Reviews:
Leonard Cohen 
2009-10-13 - This CD came in fast and in condition that was listed. I am impressed on the speed.
Like his unique sound.
2009-09-09 - I have enjoyed Leonard Cohen's unique sound. Nice mellow music to listen to while driving.
Wish I could have picked the tracks for this one... 
2009-08-18 - Whoever did the choosing, Leonard or a label executive, concentrated on too many gloomy songs for my taste. I have been a Cohen fan since before he made his first album (he came to public attention first with a novel) and saw him in concert around 1971. How could "Joan of Arc" be left off an "essential" collection? How could "The Captain" from his "Various Positions" album? There were other songs from that release included here, but none as good as the one I like. Leonard has not created a slew of happy songs, true, but the ones that exist are just as worthy as his lengthy, poetic, dirge-like compositions. Too many of those on here, in my view. Still, especially on Disc One, there are lots of good things. I found my copy of this at a bargain price, so I am happy...but it could have been much better with a different mix of songs from his 45-year career.
to bad about the arrangements 
2009-07-16 - I love his voice, and I think his words are profoundly moving, but i find the the background 'noise' fack strings and washes annoying (to be kind) - it's like jazz musicians who must have a 'strings' album which only dilutes the strength of their voice on the instrument. Leonard's voice has enough 'depth and mood' to save humanity and the arrangements just make it sentimental.
Excellent!
2009-07-08 - If you're a Cohen fan (and you will be after listening to this one) this is the album to get. Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!
