While Leonard Cohen has enjoyed a comeback of religious proportions over the past few years, the man and his music still resonate with same poetic language, genteel but never easy melodies and statuesque, albeit often dark, humour. Leonard’s recent return is based on new generations discovering what the old guard have known for years; that Leonard Cohen is one of contemporary music’s rare geniuses. But Cohen has rarely worn his musical influences on his sleeve. So while anyone who is familiar with his work will be aware of his enormous love for the poetry of Garcia Lorca, few will know he was also influenced by the Phi Spector Sound or the country tunes of George Jones. This CD contains 25 tracks which illustrate the diverse and often surprising selection of music that has inspired and influenced Leonard Cohen throughout his career. Giving a rare insight into the composersand performers he respected most, when hearing this compilation as a whole, the listener cannot help but be astonished at how those unique songs of Cohen’s were often informed by the music he listened to prior to his own career inmusic began. 1. Solea Por Federico - Garcia Lorca 2. Careless Love - Josh White 3. Jezebel - Frankie Laine 4. Which Side Are You On? - Almanac Singers 5. La Complainte du Partisan (The Partisan) - Anna Marly 6. Goodnight Irene - The Weavers 7. Red River Valley - Gene Autry 8. Tennessee Waltz - Les Paul / Mary Ford 9. Be My Baby - The Ronettes 10. Just One More - George Jones 11. The Great Pretender - The Platters 12. Unchained Melody - The Righteous Brothers 13. What’d I Say - Ray Charles 14. The Twist - Hank Ballard 15. Supermarket In California - Allen Ginsberg 16. Turn! Turn! Turn! - Judy Collins 17. Downhearted Blues - Alberta Hunter 18. Jokerman - Bob Dylan 19. Deadbelly - Jack Kerouac 20. Charlie Parker - Jack Kerouac 21. California - Joni Mitchell 22. Get It While You Can - Janis Joplin 23. Gloomy Sunday - Billie Holiday 24. I Shall Be Released - Joan Baez 25. Your Cheatin’ - Heart Hank Williams
