Read more

Leonard Cohen has always been one of rock's least likely cult heroes -- from the moment he entered the arena in the late '60s, impeccably suited and dauntingly literate in an era when most of his compatriots were marked by scruff and spit (hold the polish). He's also been one of its more enduring, leaving a legacy that's had an impact on countless artists who share his bent for introspection and romanticism -- many of whom are gathered on this, the second large-scale Cohen tribute of the past decade. Unlike {|I'm Your Fan|}, this disc -- culled from the film of the same name -- isn't stacked with big names, but rather with folks with a clear kinship to the singer. It's easy to hear Cohen's influence, as a vocalist, on Nick Cave -- who does a marvelous job wringing the lustiness out of the title track, while ratcheting things down for "Suzanne" (on which he teams with Perla Batalla and Julie Christensen). The drama inherent in Cohen's best work is channeled beautifully by both Rufus Wainwright (who contributes a pair of songs, most notably a suitably shaken sounding "Chelsea Hotel No. 2") and Teddy Thompson (whose severe take on "The Future" might be the album's most gripping moment). It's always intriguing to hear a female perspective on Cohen compositions -- given that he's one of the most unflaggingly masculine writers of his generation -- and the offerings from Beth Orton and Martha Wainwright (the latter of whom opens the collection with a yearning "Tower of Song") both provide fresh insight into their choices. Cohen himself appears only once here -- joining U2 for a set-ending reprise of "Tower of Song" -- but his spirit imbues every groove. And that spirit is one that touches all who come into contact with it.