This article from the Coverland series is a sort of an homage to Leonard Cohen, who passed away yesterday. I am not a fan of his work, but he left his mark on the world and is definitely worth an honorable mention. I picked one of my favorite songs by Joni Mitchell called “The Jungle Line” which Herbie Hancock covered for the Joni Mitchell tribute album “River: The Joni Letters” from 2007, for which Herbie won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 2008. The Jungle Line was sung by Leonard Cohen on that particular release, or better said, it was recited by him with the accompaniment of Hancock’s piano. I wouldn't say that it is better than the original (it’s not even close), but it offers an entirely different approach to the song, which someone might like it.
The original track is from Joni’s seventh studio album “The Hissing of Summer Lawns” from 1975. The song contains a field recording from Africa of the Drummers of Burundi (called 'warrior drums' in the credits), onto which are dubbed guitar, Moog synthesizer, and the vocal line. The lyrics pay homage to the works of the French Post-Impressionist painter Henri Rousseau. Mitchell blends details of his works with imagery of modern city life, the music industry, and the underground drug culture.
COVERLAND VOL.1: EASY
COVERLAND VOL.2: HUSH
COVERLAND VOL.3: NOTHING COMPARES 2 U
COVERLAND VOL.4: HARD TO HANDLE
COVERLAND VOL.5: GUINNEVERE
COVERLAND VOL.6: I SCARE MYSELF
COVERLAND VOL. 7: CHINA GIRL
COVERLAND VOL.8: LIVE AND LET DIE
COVERLAND VOL. 9: PERSONAL JESUS
