Leonard Cohen’s self titled live album, Live Songs is another great album of Cohen’s that I enjoy listening to.
So, on that note, I decided that it was high time that I write a review of the album. So let’s get started.
Live songs by Leonard cohen
The album title cuts to the chase fairly quick with no fancy names leaving you pondering their mean. The album was finally released in 1973 after a series of tours that Leonard Cohen reluctantly started in 1969 after the release of his Second album, Songs from a room. Cohen being initially a Poet, he only started playing songs and touring solely for the money. He makes no secret of this fact and never has done.
These Live songs
The album contains some of his best live songs and is a great set to hear
Minute prologue
This is a great little short n sweet opener to get the show going. Short, but juicy enough to get the mind working. I like Leonards line ” Yes I think that i can heal it, I’m a fool but I think I can heal it with this song”
Passing Through
“Passing Through” is a song that I remember first hearing when I was possibly as young as Two or Three years old. You see, my father was a big Cohen fan, so I was kinda brought up on his stuff. I love the catchy little tune that gores with these easy yet deep lyrics.
The song makes for a great warm up track for the rest of this great live album with its bouncy little rhythm that gets your feet tapping and your spirits going.
You know who I am
It doesn’t take Cohen long to get into his deeper songs with this song from the Songs from a Room album, also
Bird on the Wire
No live show of Leonard Cohen would be complete without a rendition of this classic Cohen song. Possibly or certainly among his best known tracks, bird on the wire, another track from the amazing Songs from a Room.
this song just always seem to have a magical step to it and is sung really well here with harmonizing background vocals.
Nancy
This is a brilliant live version of the Songs from a Room album “It seems so long ago”
In typical Cohen style, the song has those wonderful harnonising female backing vocals that set his songs on fire.
Improvisation
This is a great little instrumental improvisation with a plethora of world music sound influencing the price from all directions.
it does have a lovely kinda Indian sound running throughout the tune with guitar sounding like a Sitar really gives the tune a certain ring to it.
Story of Issac
Another brilliant track taken from the Songs from a Room album. It questions the Zionist justification for the blood on their hands.
As Cohen rightly describes it “For those who would sacrifice One generation on behalf of another”. This was a reference to the Israeli states methods of conquest with the backing of the super powers. It also refers to the 6 Million Jews sacrificed in the holocaust and the result of the state of Israel being formed in 1946.
Please don’t pass me by
A great little protest song played as if it’s being busked on the street. “Oh please don’t pass me by! It has an up be eat kinda “Praise the lord” hope mission sorta sound it it. But brilliant and makes you compelled go join in .
Tonight will be Fine
This is a great live rendition of one of my favourites. It has a really catchy little rhythm and beat to it that you just cant help but get into. I play guitar and often like to play a lot of Leonard Cohens songs. This is one of my favourites that I love to play.
Queen Victoria
Leonard finishes the live set with this great title from the album Songs of Love and hate. Amazingly done.
Listen
Well, I thought I’d include the album for you to listen to right here. So, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
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