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List Price: $18.94 | | Label: Sony
Salesrank: 112
Released: March 31, 2009 |
| Our Price: $9.29 |
| Used Price: $9.19 |
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| Media: Audio CD |
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Editorial Review:
For over four decades, Leonard Cohen has been one of the most important and influential songwriters of our time, a figure whose body of work achieves greater depths of mystery and meaning as time goes on. His songs have set a virtually unmatched standard in their seriousness and range. Sex, spirituality, religion, power - he has relentlessly examined the largest issues in human lives, always with a full appreciation of how elusive answers can be to the vexing questions he raises. But those questions, and the journey he has traveled in seeking to address them, are the ever-shifting substance of his work, as well as the reasons why his songs never lose their overwhelming emotional force. Documentaries, awards, tribute albums and the ongoing march of artists eager to record his songs all acknowledge the peerless contribution Cohen has made to what one of his titles aptly calls "The Tower of Song."
In 2008 Leonard Cohen embarked on his first tour in 15 years. Quickly recognized as musical folklore in the making, 29 of the original dates sold out almost immediately, leaving fans and critics alike hailing the show as a once in a lifetime experience. By popular demand, the Canadian/UK tour was extended and by the end of that year it had reached 84 markets worldwide, selling more than 700,000 tickets. The Live In London release fully captures and recreates the extraordinary show from that tour that earned Cohen more than 80 five-star reviews for his performances.
Live In London Reviews:
Leonard Cohen 
2009-12-28 - I went to the concert, bought the DVD, and had to have the CD to listen to his music while on the road.
Brilliant old age stuff
2009-12-28 - Brilliant CD, he is doing his best work in his 70's, pushing the envelope. Beautifully produced, clean, crisp even if he does thank his band and singers too much.
Leonard Cohen's best yet
2009-12-06 - Wonderful album of Leonard & his magnificent band on the road. After losing most of his retirement funds to a scamming financial manager, Leonard had to go make some $ for his "old age". So, tickets to his tour were/are expensive, but as the music in this album attests, still a bargain.
Leonard Cohen still the best
2009-12-06 - This is a must album for any Leonard Cohen fan. Each time I listen to the CD I find it more interesting and enjoyable. What fantasic music and poetry! Leonard has been around for a long time and hasn't lost a beat.
Magical!
2009-12-05 - I was lucky to experience Leonard Cohen live in Copenhagen October 2008; the same tour as this release. Cohen's band was unusually accomplished and there was throughout the long concert a warm and intimate atmosphere. Cohen himself was in topfrom and joked with the audience, a part, which is reflected in these recordings.
At no time during the concert I felt concentration failing me, a thing which often occurs to me during long concerts. It was simply a joy to listen to this accomplished band, not least the three excellent female vocals and moreover the sound in the hall was perfect - everything down to the smallest guitar plunk from Cohen could be heard.
This CD restores to a big extent way to the great experience, though such an event never quite could be reproduced on a CD.
The vast majority of numbers sounds at least as good as the original studio versions - some even better. The arrangements of the newer numbers are broadly familiar, while several of the older songs had been changed to band format.
The repertoire is nicely spread out throughout Cohen's long career, with particular focus on the major albums "I'm Your Man" and "The Future". The debut album "Songs of Leonard Cohen" is also nicely represented with four songs.
From the Copenhagen concert "Waiting For The Miracle" and "Heart With No Companion" are missing, but is otherwise the concert was identical to this album's track list.
There is really no reason to highlight individual tracks, since everything is excellent, however I must admit that I particularly enjoyed the beautiful vocals from The Web Sisters and Sharon Robinson; not least on "In My Secret Life".
