On The Heels Of Induction Into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, Leonard Cohen Announces His First Tour in 15 Years MARCH 11, 2008
Immediately following his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel tonight, Leonard Cohen announced his world tour, marking a return to the live arena after 15 years. He is scheduled to open in Toronto on June 6 and 7, the city that gave birth to his career as a recording and literary artist, and then play Europe in the remainder of June, July, August and early September.
Cohen is arguably the greatest singer songwriter of modern times. At his induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, he was recognized by Lou Reed as, "Without question one of the most important and influential songwriters of our time, a figure whose body of work achieves greater mystery and depth as time goes one." Among those inducted with Cohen were Madonna, John Mellencamp The Dave Clark Five, and the Ventures.
His songs have been famously covered by the great and the good, each version a fascinating attempt to move closer to Cohen's enigmatic muse. From Judy Collins' "Suzanne" to Jeff Buckley's seminal rendition of "Hallelujah," Cohen's songs have traveled as far and wide as their author. U2, REM, Sting, Nick Cave, Rufus Wainwright and the late Johnny Cash are among other famous devotees. It is estimated that his songbook has been covered over 1,330 times by other recording artists.
In 2008, Cohen's live tour will be as varied as his influence. He plays the UK's legendary Glastonbury Festival on June 29, for 150,000 fans. The Montreux Jazz Festival and Spain's Bennicasim are also stand out dates among arena shows at the O2 in London and more intimate dates such as Toronto's Sony Centre and the Manchester's Opera House in the UK. Rob Hallett from AEG Live said, "For many this tour will be the once in a lifetime opportunity to see the legend that is Leonard Cohen. We as a company are honored to bring this long rumored tour to reality across the globe."
In all, the tour will take in fans from intimate theatres to rock festivals proving the remarkable reach of Cohen's words and music across nations and generations. He will be joined by world renowned musicians: Roscoe Beck (bass & vocals, music director) Neil Larsen (keyboard, accordion, brass instruments), Bob Metzger (guitar, steel guitar & vocals), Javier Mas (acoustic guitar, oud & misc. string instruments), Christine Wu (violin, viola, cello & keyboard), Rafael Gayol (drums & percussion) and Dino Soldo (keyboard, saxophone, wind instruments & vocals).
Cohen has been a SONY/BMG recording artist for his entire career. He continues as an active songwriter with much anticipated new work that is planned for release later this year.
Cohen is beyond comparison and a true original, providing some of music and literature's most illuminating writing on love, sex, death and religion.
This is a world tour of epic proportions, but it is something even more than that. Leonard Cohen's eagerly anticipated return to the stage after all these years is nothing short of musical history in the making.
Leonard Cohen's World Tour Itinerary (as of 11-Mar-08)
06-Jun-08 Toronto Sony Centre For The Performing Arts
07-Jun-08 Toronto Sony Centre For The Performing Arts
14-Jun-08 Dublin IMMA
15-Jun-08 Dublin IMMA
17-Jun-08 Manchester Opera House
18-Jun-08 Manchester Opera House
19-Jun-08 Manchester Opera House
20-Jun-08 Manchester Opera House
23-Jun-08 Montreal Montreal Jazz Festival / Place des Arts
24-Jun-08 Montreal Montreal Jazz Festival / Place des Arts
25-Jun-08 Montreal Montreal Jazz Festival / Place des Arts
29-Jun-08 Glastonbury Glastonbury Festival
01-Jul-08 Oslo Aliset Stadium
03-Jul-08 Helsingborg Open Air
05-Jul-08 Copenhagen Rosenborg Castle
06-Jul-08 Arhuus Raadhus Parken
08-Jul-08 Montreux Montreux Jazz Festival
09-Jul-08 Lyon Festival
10-Jul-08 Bruges Cactus
12-Jul-08 Amsterdam Westendam
16-Jul-08 Edinburgh Castle
17-Jul-08 London The 02 Arena
19-Jul-08 Lisbon Passeio Maritimo
20-Jul-08 Bennicasim Festival
22-Jul-08 Nice Jazz Festival
24-Jul-08 Nyon Paleo Festival
25-Jul-08 Lorrach Stimmen Der Welt
27-Jul-08 Lucca Summer Festival
29-Jul-08 Athens Lykabettus Theatre
* Worldwide tour dates will continue to be announced within the coming weeks. Fans should visit http://leonardcohen.aeglive.com
Leonard Cohen Inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame DECEMBER 14, 2007
Decades of incomparable poetic and musical brilliance have finally brought Leonard Cohen into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!
Other inductees for the new year are: The Dave Clark Five, Madonna, John Mellencamp and The Ventures. Cohen shares the honour with a myriad of other globally influential artists who have made an impact on rock n' roll.
Cohen will be featured in the Museum's Hall of Fame exhibit where a collection of all his songs will be included in the computerized "jukebox". He will be honoured at the twenty-third annual induction ceremony on March 10, 2008 in New York City at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel.
Philip Glass Work Based On "Book Of Longing" Set For Toronto Premiere MAY 7, 2007
In June, a new work by Philip Glass based on the poems in Book of Longing will debut as an evening-length concert work composed for ensemble, singers, spoken word, and imagery. The culmination of years of mutual admiration between two of the most celebrated musical artists of their generation, the piece will feature new music by Glass inspired by Book of Longing. The poems are signature Leonard Cohen-- at once meditative, playful, erotic, and provocative. The music is currently being written for an ensemble of seven musicians including electronic keyboards (one played by Glass himself), flute/bass clarinet, hand percussion, violin, cello, upright bass, and oboe/English horn that will be visible on stage throughout the evening. The music will be directed by Glass's longtime musical director Michael Riesman. Debut performances are set for June 1-3, 2007, at the Luminato Festival in Toronto, after which the show will tour.
Click here for details of the Toronto performances.
Expanded Editions Of Cohen's First Three Albums In Stores Now MAY 7, 2007
For the first time in the digital era, expanded editions of SONGS OF LEONARD COHEN, SONGS FROM A ROOM, and SONGS OF LOVE AND HATE are now in stores. Each contain previously unreleased bonus material of monumental historical importance to Cohen aficionados, as well as separate newly commissioned liner notes essays written by Rolling Stone contributing editor (and Cohen devotee) Anthony DeCurtis. Each are specially packaged in a hardcover digipak configuration.
The previously unreleased bonus material on the three Leonard Cohen expanded edition CDs marks the first time that any of this music has surfaced. Please visit the Music section of LeonardCohen.com for details of the reissues and the full tracklisting.
Anjani Tour Dates Announced MARCH 21, 2007
On April 24th, Anjani commences her tour of intimate venues.
April 24 - New York City - Joe's Pub - 9:30PM - on sale now
April 25-26 - Toronto - Drake Hotel - on sale now
April 27 Montreal Juste Pour Rire Theatre
April 29 - New York City - Joe's Pub - 7:30PM
May 3 - Chicago - The Hideout
May 10 - San Francisco - Café Du Nord - 8PM - on sale now
May 11 - Los Angeles - Hotel Café - 8PM - on sale now
First Three Records Re-released FEBRUARY 5, 2007
To mark the 40th Anniversary of Leonard Cohen's debut recording, SONY BMG MUSIC (CANADA) INC./Legacy Records will re-release his first three albums: Songs of Leonard Cohen (1967), Songs From A Room (1969) and Songs Of Love And Hate (1970) on April 24, 2007. For the first time in the digital era, expanded, hardcover digipak editions of Songs Of Leonard Cohen, Songs From A Room, and Songs Of Love And Hate will be made available. Each album will contain previously unreleased bonus material as well as separate newly commissioned liner notes essays written by Rolling Stone contributing editor (and Cohen devotee) Anthony DeCurtis.
Canadian musical icon Leonard Cohen has earned the distinction as one of the most influential artists of his generation and his stark images of love, beauty and despair have touched fans and inspired writers and musicians the world over. Leonard Cohen was recognized for his incredible songwriting when he was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2006. Cohen's recent book of poetry entitled, Book of Longing reached #1 on the Top 10 Hardcover Fiction Books in Canada, as compiled by Maclean's Magazine, being the first book of poetry ever to reach the top of the bestsellers' lists in Canada.
Of the many protégés and disciples who have spread their wings and found a kindred spirit in Leonard Cohen, none is more intriguing than singer-songwriter Anjani Thomas. They have been associated for nearly a quarter-century, since she first sang backing vocals on his maiden recording of "Hallelujah" in 1984, on Various Positions. Now signed to Columbia Records alongside Cohen, Anjani released Blue Alert in Canada in May 2006 to rave reviews. The album's ten songs were written by Cohen and Anjani, she arranged the music and accompanied herself on piano, and the album was produced by Cohen. Blue Alert will be released internationally on April 24, 2007 in a special two-disc digipak containing a bonus DVD; featuring two music video clips ("The Mist" and "Thanks For the Dance") and behind-the-scenes interviews and recording studio footage.
The liturgy of timeless songs to be found on Cohen's first three albums have mystified poets and professors for ages - among them "Suzanne," "Sisters of Mercy," "So Long, Marianne," and "Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye" (all from his debut album, 1967's Songs Of Leonard Cohen), "Bird on the Wire," "Story of Isaac," "Seems So Long Ago, Nancy," and "You Know Who I Am" (from the second album, 1969's Songs From A Room), and "Dress Rehearsal Rag," "Famous Blue Raincoat," and "Joan of Arc" (from 1970's Songs Of Love And Hate).
"If Leonard Cohen had only recorded this extraordinary debut album," DeCurtis writes of the 1967 LP, "and then disappeared, his stature as one of the most gifted songwriters of our time would still be secure." Fortunately, Leonard Cohen went on to record more than a dozen Columbia albums over the next four decades, constantly reshaping his vision and startling the world with his imagination and courage. But it all begins here, with Songs of Leonard Cohen, Songs From A Room and Songs Of Love And Hate.
Songs Of Leonard Cohen: Recording sessions for this album began in early 1967 with Columbia A&R staff producer John Hammond, who signed Leonard Cohen to the label. Hammond, famously known for bringing Count Basie, Billie Holiday, Olatunji, Pete Seeger, Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, and others to Columbia, fell ill and was unable to continue on the sessions; they were subsequently completed by A&R staff producer John Simon (the uncredited producer of Big Brother & the Holding Company's Cheap Thrills). "Store Room" and "Blessed Is the Memory" survive from the original Hammond sessions. Songs Of Leonard Cohen (Columbia/Legacy 88697 04742 2, originally issued in December 1967, as Columbia 9533)
Selections:
1. Suzanne
2. Master Song
3. Winter Lady
4. The Stranger Song
5. Sisters of Mercy
6. So Long, Marianne
7. Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye
8. Stories of the Street
9. Teachers
10. One of Us Cannot Be Wrong
Previously unreleased bonus tracks:
11. Store Room
12. Blessed Is the Memory
(Tracks 1-10 produced by John Simon; tracks 11-12 recorded 1967, outtakes from the early sessions for Songs of Leonard Cohen, produced by John Hammond.)
Songs From A Room: Similarly, recording sessions for Leonard Cohen's second LP were begun May 1968 in Hollywood with David Crosby producing. The recently departed member of the Byrds had won acclaim with his first assignment as a producer, Joni Mitchell's debut album, Song to a Seagull (released March 1968). Cohen's album wound up being recorded in Nashville with Columbia A&R staff producer Bob Johnston, known for his work with Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, and Simon & Garfunkel. Two tracks from the Crosby sessions now make their debut: "Like a Bird," which is an earlier version of "Bird on the Wire"; and "Nothing to One," which is an earlier version of "You Know Who I Am." Songs From A Room (Columbia/Legacy 88697 04740 2, originally issued in 1969, as Columbia 9767)
Selections:
1. Bird on the Wire
2. Story of Isaac
3. A Bunch of Lonesome Heroes
4. The Partisan
5. Seems So Long Ago, Nancy
6. The Old Revolution
7. The Butcher
8. You Know Who I Am
9. Lady Midnight
10. Tonight Will Be Fine
Previously unreleased bonus tracks:
11. Like a Bird (earlier version of Bird on the Wire)
12. Nothing to One (earlier version of You Know Who I Am).
(Tracks 1-10 produced by Bob Johnston; tracks 11-12 recorded May 1968, produced by David Crosby.)
Songs Of Love And Hate: For his third album, Leonard Cohen returned to Nashville and Bob Johnston in 1970. One of the songs they recorded was "Dress Rehearsal Rag," heard as a bonus track here in an early version from the second LP sessions of 1969. Songs Of Love And Hate by Leonard Cohen (Columbia/Legacy 88697 04741 2, originally issued in 1970, as Columbia 30103)
Selections:
1. Avalanche
2. Last Year's Man
3. Dress Rehearsal Rag
4. Diamonds in the Mine
5. Love Calls You by Your Name
6. Famous Blue Raincoat
7. Sing Another Song, Boys
8. Joan of Arc
Previously unreleased bonus track:
9. Dress Rehearsal Rag (early version).
(Produced by Bob Johnston; track 9 outtake recorded during the sessions for Songs from a Room.)
SONY BMG's Columbia Records Readies The Release of 'Blue Alert,' the major label album from Anjani Thomas FEBRUARY 1, 2006
Vocalist/Songwriter's Eagerly-Awaited Album Collaboration With Leonard Cohen In Stores Tuesday, May 2.
SONY BMG's Columbia Records is set to release Blue Alert, the eagerly-awaited major label debut album from vocalist/songwriter/instrumentalist Anjani Thomas, on Tuesday, May 2, 2006.
For Blue Alert, Anjani collaborated with mentor Leonard Cohen on a groundbreaking collection of "bittersweet love songs." Blue Alert is co-written and produced by Leonard Cohen.
Anjani was first introduced to Leonard Cohen in 1984. She first sang backup with the musical/literary legend on 1985's Various Positions, which included her haunting background vocals on Cohen's original recording of his signature "Hallelujah." Later that same year, Anjani joined Cohen's "Various Positions" World Tour as a keyboardist/vocalist and has gone on to sing on subsequent Leonard Cohen albums including I'm Your Man (1988), The Future (1992), and Dear Heather (2004). In 2005 Leonard Cohen suggested to Anjani that together they try a new approach to music. The result of this marriage of extraordinary sensibilities is Blue Alert.
"Anjani's music is exotic, dreamy and hypnotic," said Leonard Cohen of his protégé's new music on Blue Alert. "Anjani's voice dropped from her throat to her heart. She was always a great singer, but now she's a world class singer, in full command of an unforgettable voice." Anjani calls Blue Alert "...the most lyrically rich and musically satisfying project I've had the honor of working on."
Born Anjani Thomas in Honolulu, Hawaii, the emerging artist trained in guitar, piano and voice before attending Boston's prestigious Berklee College of Music. After moving to Manhattan, Anjani further honed her musicianship in jazz clubs. She is proud to have had the privilege to work with such jazz luminaries as Carl Anderson, Frank Gambale, and Stanley Clarke, among others.
In 2002, Anjani released her self-titled independent CD, which showcases an innovative blend of jazz, folk and Hawaiian influences, including a duet with famed Hawaiian musician Henry Kapono. She followed her debut with the stirring Sacred Names project, an inspirational meditation on the Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek names of God.
'Dear Heather' Available Now OCTOBER 26, 2004
'Dear Heather' is now in stores!
The eagerly-anticipated new album from legendary singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen was produced and engineered by Leanne Ungar and features twelve new studio recordings composed by Cohen, including "Go No More A-Roving," "The Letters," "Morning Glory," "Villanelle for Our Time," "Dear Heather," "To A Teacher," and the live track "Tennessee Waltz," Cohen's interpretation of the country-western standard popularized by Roy Acuff, Chet Atkins, Patti Page and others.
'Dear Heather' is Cohen's first album since 2001's critically-acclaimed 'Ten New Songs.'
Leonard Cohen To Receive Order Of Canada JANUARY 20, 2003
Leonard Cohen will receive Canada's highest civilian honour when he is officially promoted to Companion of the Order of Canada. Cohen will be recognized for his contributions to poetry and music, with a body of work that has spanned over 40 years.
Leonard Cohen is considered one of the most influential artists of his generation, inspiring both writers and musicians from around the world. His stark images of love, beauty and despair have touched fans internationally.
For a man who only "aspired to be a minor poet" early in his career, Leonard Cohen has produced a body of work that has withstood the passage of time. As Cohen told L.A. Style, "I became a writer, and as my friend (Irving) Layton always said, a poet is deeply conflicted and it's in his work that he reconciles those deep conflicts. That place is the harbor. It doesn't set the world in order, you know, it doesn't really change anything. It just is a kind of harbor, it's the place of reconciliation, it's the conssolumentum, the kiss of peace." Leonard Cohen has taken us down to that place by the harbor and our world has become that much richer for the journey.
The induction ceremonies will occur in October at Ottawa's Rideau Hall.
Leonard Cohen Files Update! OCTOBER 22, 2002
As always, the faithful fans behind the leonardcohenfiles.com have updated their site to reflect Leonard's latest release.
Click here for more insight and information on The Essential Leonard Cohen.
