After hearing more Leonard Cohen until the wee hours of the morning, I streamed more from my server this morning upon awakening, and then most recently, Kim and I spent from 12:30 – 3:00pm listening to his “Live in London” album, issued in 2009 after that 2008 concert. That album, for newcomers to Cohen or just about anyone else, would be my recommendation for the best introduction to his spread of music over the years, performed with some of the best backing and musicianship you will ever hear and with Cohen in fine, matured “voice”. The Live in London concert is also available with video on DVD for the full effect. Another great introduction to Cohen would be the 2005 “I’m Your Man” film, mostly featuring covers, but excellent covers, of some of his work.
And here is a recent KCRW (our old hometown radio station in Santa Monica) interview, thought to be one of his last:
(By the way, we are hearing reports that Cohen actually passed away on Monday, but that his death was not announced until yesterday.)
Leonard Cohen, R.I.P.