The beginning of Leonard Cohen’s career was marked by songs of love and heat, and then songs from the room. One of my all time favorite live albums is Cohen’s Songs From The Road, a sequel to Canadian author’s live recordings Live In London. I remember how the title of the album dared me to think it is his new full studio album, but it turned out I needed to wait for another half year.
Songs From The Road is a compilation made of songs that didn’t find their place at Live In London, although there are some overlapping, such as Bird On The Wire, Suzanne, Hallelujah and Closing Time. As an extra, the fans got a solid DVD BonusSketch (Backstage Leonard), a documentary directed by Cohen’s daughter Lorce.
When Mister Poet’s manager left him, he was forced to go on tour in order to earn some coins. He did not end up on the street, but he still sublimed the experience and introjected the road spirit. The result of the tour were hundreds of thousands of fans who got their chance to see their favorite artist live.
The road is a must-have motif of rock mythology. It is mentioned numerous times in the music of modern and classic pop-rock performers. The road starts from the known and takes you to the unknown. It is a search for freedom, love, friendship, immortality. The road of Leonard Cohen is an amalgam of all of this, plus a hodgepodge of the singer’s extraordinary psyche.
The melodies fit perfectly with the vocals, and the arrangements are not intrusive. Altogether with the author’s unforgettable lyrics, this live album is inexorable on its way to your heart. The secret ingredient of the live performances is present on each of the twelve songs, including Lover, Lover, Lover, then Avalanche, Famous Blue Raincoat and The Partisan. Affection peaks in sad songs. As Cohen said – People love sad songs the most.
Disc is a mosaic of twelve memorable nights that Cohen and his band spent playing for the audience on twelve different locations. Portion of the magic is captured here. Still, it is best to listen to it by yourself, since the songs were made in loneliness.
So, my recommendation is to pour yourself a glass of wine, raise that glass to the legend we lost in November. Then, you will be all set to listen to Songs On The Road.
