One of my new hometown Montreal's pride is, of course, Leonard Cohen. He actually lived not so far from where I live, and still has his old apartment, according to local sources. Perhaps I have even passed by the apartment, or even himself, without being aware of it. Apparently he lives much of the year in California, according to the same sources, but still spends some time in his old hometown. It would be interesting to exchange a few words with him, for me anyway, maybe not for him. But I'm (perhaps fortunately) too much of a coward to dare to approach him, if I would see him. A cowardice we can rephrase to "respect for the privacy of others".
Songs From A Room was Cohen's second album. It has a relatively spartan sound compared to the debut album and later creations, which is also reflected in the minimalist cover. Apparently some of Cohen's friends criticized him for, what they believed, the over production of the first album (an opinion I don't share). So producer Bob Johnston saw it as his task to protect Cohen's song ideas from too many influences from surrounding musicians. The album was recorded in Nashville. In fact, Cohen began the recording in Hollywood the previous year with David Crosby as producer, something that obviously didn't work out.
The album opens with the classic Bird On A Wire, one of Cohen's best-known and most loved songs. It is followed by Story Of Isaac which has the biblical story of Isaac, whom God commanded to kill his son, as its theme. Cohen has said that it's a protest song against the Vietnam War that was going on at this time. My personal favorite is The Partisan, which is a cover of the French song La Complainte du Partisan, especially the French-singing female choir is beautiful.
Cohen lived for some years in the 60s on the Greek island of Hydra together with his then girlfriend, the Norweigan girl Marianne Ihlen. She was a great inspiration to Cohen, for example the classic So Long Marianne from the debut album is about her. Marianne is the woman who appears on the back of the cover, a photo from their room on Hydra. Bird On A Wire was also written on Hydra, inspired by birds that were sitting on the newly drawn telephone lines on the island.
Cohen is considered to be one of the singer songwriters who has had the greatest impact in the domain of popular music, along with Dylan and Paul Simon. He is more or less a living legend today. Songs From A Room is hard not to like. But sure, I wouldn't mind a bit more "produced" sound, after a while it can feel a little monotonous, maybe a little boring, with the sparse arrangements the album offers. Cohen began his artistic career as a poet and writer, so you can with a good conscience focus on the lyrics instead, if you find the melodies a bit dreary after a while.
Tracklist
Side A
1. Bird On A Wire 3:26
2. Story Of Isaac 3:35
3. A Bunch Of Lonesome Heroes 3:12
4. The Partisan 3:26
5. Seems So Long Ago, Nancy 3:39
Side B
1. The Old Revolution 4:46
2. The Butcher 3:17
3. You Know Who I Am 3:28
4. Lady Midnight 2:56
5. Tonight I Will Be Fine 3:47
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