Dear Heather

Dear Heather

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Leonard Cohen must be the envy of countless singer-songwriters. Who else has been cozily buffered from the ravages of pop music than this eminent but never particularly prominent Canadian wordsmith? Nearing four decades as a recording artist, Cohen has never left his original label, despite failing to ever register anything resembling a commercial hit. Long ago shed of the "new Dylan" trappings that greeted his first recordings, Cohen now cushions his carefully wrought lyrics in smooth keyboard-and-vocal-heavy arrangements that owe far more to MOR pop and cabaret then folk-rock. His words and delivery have become more nuanced and playful as he's grayed. Listen to the sexy self-deprecation of "Because of" ("Because of a few songs/ Wherein I spoke of their mystery/ Women have been/ Exceptionally kind in my old age") or the weary resolve of his 9-11 statement, "On That Day" ("Did you go crazy or did you report/ On that day…they wounded New York?"). Dear Heather, likes its creator, is at once new and old, familiar and fresh. --Steven Stolder

Tracks:

Go No More A-Roving
Because Of
The Letters
Undertow
Morning Glory
On That Day
Villanelle For Our Time
There For You
Dear Heather
Nightingale
To A Teacher
The Faith
Tennessee Waltz- Live

Amazon.com

Leonard Cohen must be the envy of countless singer-songwriters. Who else has been cozily buffered from the ravages of pop music than this eminent but never particularly prominent Canadian wordsmith? Nearing four decades as a recording artist, Cohen has never left his original label, despite failing to ever register anything resembling a commercial hit. Long ago shed of the "new Dylan" trappings that greeted his first recordings, Cohen now cushions his carefully wrought lyrics in smooth keyboard-and-vocal-heavy arrangements that owe far more to MOR pop and cabaret then folk-rock. His words and delivery have become more nuanced and playful as he's grayed. Listen to the sexy self-deprecation of "Because of" ("Because of a few songs/ Wherein I spoke of their mystery/ Women have been/ Exceptionally kind in my old age") or the weary resolve of his 9-11 statement, "On That Day" ("Did you go crazy or did you report/ On that day…they wounded New York?"). Dear Heather, likes its creator, is at once new and old, familiar and fresh. --Steven Stolder

Customer Reviews:

Intriguing, But Certainly Not Classic.......2007-04-04

Leonard Cohen's dense, sometimes morbid work can be an acquired taste, whether you're reading his two novels, perusing his several books of poetry, or listening to his albums of mournful, hyper-literate songs. Until now, however, any excursion into Cohen's shadowy world has always been worth the ride. Cohen is too meticulous a craftsman ever to release a truly mediocre album, but "Dear Heather" suffers from a distinct absence of heft. Although they are undeniably well-made, the songs and poems presented here seem to lack importance; none force you, as listener, to live more vividly in the world; none enrich your experience, in the way that early songs such as "Suzanne" and "Famous Blue Raincoat" did. Which is not to say that this album is bad, by any means. But I have been a Cohen fan for nearly thirty years, and this is the only Leonard Cohen record that I have ever found to be--quite frankly--somewhat forgetable. Neophytes would do better to begin with The Songs of Leonard Cohen, or with his bizzare-but-magnificent second novel, Beautiful Losers.

The Slow Demise of the Ladies' Man.......2007-01-27

It took me quite a few listens to warm up to this CD. Cohen's voice, which has never been strong, seems to have faded to raspy whisper. The backup singers take on a much larger role than any other CD and seem to be required to carry the melody on some songs, while others are spoken word poems. The CD is filled the typical Cohen somberness, but this time delivered with a lack energy. The addition of the live version of "The Tennessee Waltz" with its steel guitars seems out of place compared to the subdued tone of the rest of the album. Highlights of the CD include "Go No More A-Roving," "Because Of," "The Letters," and "Villanelle For Our Time." All-in-all, a mildly disappointing effort from this cultural icon.

Those new to Cohen are better off starting with one of his first four albums-- the "Songs" trilogy and "New Skin for the Old Ceremony."

magnificient !.......2007-01-14

Despite the few bad reviews I've read, I decided to buy the CD and decide by myself. And I don't regret it. The songs may not be easy to listen, but like any good book or great piece of art are hard to read and understand, if you are willing to get delighted by real music, you'll get it . There's lots of talent on this CD. It made my imagination and philosophies fly, made me cheerful, made me sad. My favorite songs: it;s hard to decide between so many. It brightenly opens with " No more a-roving" which, regardless of not containing Leonard's lyrics, he makes of this poem such a song !!! I love to listen to it while in my deck on a clear full moon night. "Nightingale" lifts up my mood so much and makes me feel so much at home (specially because I live in the mountains/woods) and am a nature/wildlife lover. "The Faith", just soothes my soul and relaxes me so much that takes me floating to the highest cloud, while listening to it watching the sun set on a cold afternoon....But right away I get up and start dancing to the tunes of "Tennessee Waltz, which IS NOT OUT OF TUNE like some reviewer mentioned. Here, Leonard is singing as imitating a "country/folk " singer due to the roots of the song. I love that song too !
In summary: I have to clean my CD, because i had played it over and over, and over and over...and I think it's dirty now...Like they said: "In the repetition you'll find the taste"
Leonard's voice and Anjani's vocals make an amazing contrast. I give this CD a "FIVE" . Some may say because it fits my personality. I love contrast . I like being sad and then happy right after. I like to sooth my soul. I like Leonard Cohen.

Stick to Composing.......2007-01-10

The material on this CD, while not quite as good as some of Cohen's work,
is still of very high quality. Cohen's voice, while never good, is absolutely frightful on this album. It is almost impossible to listen to the CD in one sitting-the strain on the ears is too great.

Reaping and Reporting.......2006-06-26

The problem for songwriter-poets is what we expect of them. We seem to think they should live a life of debauchery in order to propel their talent - and allow us to watch as they reap the seeds of its destruction. Leonard Cohen has always toyed with this image, never quite succumbing to it, never quite displaying what he's capable of. What he has given us is a new ethos for performance poetry, i.e. sublimating personality to poetry's innate music.
Now an elder statesman, Cohen is neither afraid of his talent nor afraid to lose it. On this collection he sings the poetry of Lord Byron and Frank Scott and adds a verse to the country music classic, "Tennessee Waltz." He trifles with poetic tropes from unrequited love to nightingales to flowers. Cohen manages humor here through irony, as only a poet can, stopping just short of taking himself seriously.
The poet's life is to dangle willingly from life's apocalyptic edge and report back. Cohen doesn't dangle quite as precariously here as in earlier albums, but he does report with enough spark to make this album a worthy addition to any collection.

Average customer rating:

Farewell songs?

Dear Heather
Leonard Cohen
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Canada | North America | International | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Folk | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000666WFK
Release Date: 2004-11-23

Tracks:

Go No More A-Roving - Leonard Cohen, Sharon Robinson
Because Of
Letters - Leonard Cohen, Sharon Robinson
Undertow
Morning Glory
On That Day
Villanelle for Our Time
There for You - Leonard Cohen, Sharon Robinson
Dear Heather
Nightingale
To a Teacher
Faith
Tennessee Waltz [Live]

Album Description

Japanese pressing of the acclaimed singer/songwriter's 2004 album, includes the exclusive live version of 'Tennessee Waltz'. Sony.

Album Details

Includes Exclusive Live Version of "Tennessee Waltz".

Customer Reviews:

Farewell songs?.......2006-01-27

Much more varied than Ten New Songs, Dear Heather sounds patchy at first listen. But repeated spins reveal the beauty and the cohesive themes of the album.

Lord Byron's poem, Go No More A Roaming, sets the mood, with lovely backing by Sharon Robinson. The enigmatic Because Of, with its repeated refrain "Look at me Leonard/One last time" is a beautiful blend of eros and thanatos, spiced by wry humour and embellished with the beautiful voice of Anjani Thomas.

Simplicity rules on The Letters where Sharon Robinson and LC share the vocals, sometimes solo, sometimes together. With its sparse instrumentation, Undertow has a dreamy melody and evocative imagery with Thomas taking the female vocal.

Morning Glory is another oneiric soundscape with tinkling keyboards and spoken vocals framed by the divine female voice. The most poignant moment on the album is On That Day (They Wounded New York), an elegant, lilting song with hypnotic harp textures.

Villanelle For Our Time, written by Frank Scott, is a spoken poem with memorable lines like: "From bitter searching of the heart/We rise to play a greater part." The title track is a delightful love song with innovative arrangement including harp and trumpet, and playful vocals. One to whistle in the bath.

With its catchy tune and lovely harmonies, Nightingale is a little folk-pop gem with main vocal by Thomas, whilst To A Teacher is another recited poem. The sound of The Faith resembles that of the album Recent Songs, with Raffi Hakopian on violin and John Bilezikjian on the lute. This is very moving, like a graceful farewell.

The albums ends, surprisingly but fittingly, with a 1985 live version of Tennessee Waltz, raw and powerful in its rootsy country delivery. The song receives Leonard's addendum, a third verse in his own poetic style.

Some people are forever stuck on Cohen's 1960s style. They don't like Death Of A Ladies' Man and they dissed Ten New Songs, so they won't appreciate this one either. I consider it a masterpiece with his genius expressed in a refreshing variety of styles and timeless songs. Dear Heather might well be the last proper Leonard Cohen studio album. If so, what a moving farewell.