Judy Collins Sings Leonard Cohen: Democracy [Original recording remastered]

Judy Collins Sings Leonard Cohen: Democracy [Original recording remastered]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Judy Collins met Leonard Cohen in 1966, at a time when the young Canadian was uncertain about his skills both as a songwriter and a singer. Collins responded powerfully to his music, assuring him that his performance and compositions were alluring and potent. She subsequently covered a number of his songs, and she even coaxed him onto the stage. This disc adds three new recordings to 11 of Collins's previous interpretations. Her crystal-clear vibrato is ideally suited to the slow melodic bearing that Cohen favors. From the country lilt of "Bird on a Wire" to the breathtaking and spare live rendition of "Song of Bernadette," Collins demonstrates why Cohen, more than any other songwriter she has covered, has been a constant presence in her repertoire for nearly 40 years. --David Greenberger

Product Description
Pop interpreter Judy Collins' sublime soprano has long made her a favorite worldwide. Leonard Cohen was an acclaimed poet and novelist when Collins had a 1967 hit with his beautiful and timeless song "Suzanne." She put him on the musical map, he became of the most literate and revered songwriters of our time, and their creative synergy has become one for the ages. This new collection brings together 14 of Judy's indelible versions of Cohen's classic works, including three brand new recordings of Collins-Cohen collaborations.

Tracks:

Democracy
Suzanne
A Thousand Kisses Deep
Hey, That’s No Way To Say Goodbye
Dress Rehearsal Rag
Priests
Night Comes On
Sisters Of Mercy
Story Of Isaac
Bird On The Wire
Famous Blue Raincoat
Joan Of Arc
Take This Longing

Amazon.com

Judy Collins met Leonard Cohen in 1966, at a time when the young Canadian was uncertain about his skills both as a songwriter and a singer. Collins responded powerfully to his music, assuring him that his performance and compositions were alluring and potent. She subsequently covered a number of his songs, and she even coaxed him onto the stage. This disc adds three new recordings to 11 of Collins's previous interpretations. Her crystal-clear vibrato is ideally suited to the slow melodic bearing that Cohen favors. From the country lilt of "Bird on a Wire" to the breathtaking and spare live rendition of "Song of Bernadette," Collins demonstrates why Cohen, more than any other songwriter she has covered, has been a constant presence in her repertoire for nearly 40 years. --David Greenberger

Album Description

Pop interpreter Judy Collins' sublime soprano has long made her a favorite worldwide. Leonard Cohen was an acclaimed poet and novelist when Collins had a 1967 hit with his beautiful and timeless song "Suzanne." She put him on the musical map, he became of the most literate and revered songwriters of our time, and their creative synergy has become one for the ages. This new collection brings together 14 of Judy's indelible versions of Cohen's classic works, including three brand new recordings of Collins-Cohen collaborations.

Customer Reviews:

Judy Collins gets better with age.......2007-02-19

Like a fine wine, Judy Collins has only gotten better with age. Her golden voice echos beauty with every note. If you are a Leonard Cohen fan or not you will turn up your player and listen how Judy has made these songs her own. My wife and I have listened to this collection over and over again as she waves her magic with Cohens best songs.As Great as Judy has been through the years, this collection reaches new levels. I can only hope she makes another one.

an excellent overview.......2007-01-10

This CD is an outstanding compilation of Leonard Cohen songs sung by the premier interpreter of his works. It showcases the uniqueness of Cohen's
composing as well as the versatility and beauty of Judy Collins' voice.

A great "Suzanne" but others fall short.......2006-12-02

Judy Collins has a voice and style that shines on the lilting ballads. She owns "Suzanne" and "Sisters of Mercy", but doesn't have the depth, range or emotion to carry "Joan of Arc" or "Famous Blue Raincoat". If you want to hear, according to Cohen himself, the best interpretations of his songs, get the "Famous Blue Raincoat" CD by Jennifer Warnes...also a master disc recording you can use to demo the best stereo systems available.

Painful.......2006-10-26

I like Judy Collins and I like Leonard Cohen, so I thought this album was a no-brainer for me. Boy was I wrong. Judy's gimmick of recording everything as though she's in an echo-chamber is getting tired. And all her interpretations of the songs are *painfully* slow. I enjoyed "Democracy" (the first song on the album), but the rest was a total wash. I almost didn't listen to the entire thing, but I thought it would be unfair to write a review without giving the whole album one full hearing. But I'm listening to "Song of Bernadette" as I write this review, so I can now say that the entire album, with the exception of "Democracy," as stated above, is just slow, tired, echo-y, and painful. Barely a step above elevator music--not at all what I expected from Judy Collins with such great material! If you like Leonard Cohen, I highly recommend the "Tower of Song" tribute album from a number of different artists, rather than this one.

His first interpreter.......2006-10-05

This tribute album contains previously released tracks from 1966 to 1999 plus new recordings: Democracy, A Thousand Kisses Deep and Night Comes On. The old material is drawn from her albums In My Life (1966), Wildflowers (1967), Who Knows Where The Time Goes (1968), Living (1971), Bread & Roses (1976) and Live At Wolf Trap 1999.

The blend of the old and the new is a definite plus, as it ensures variety in the arrangements and instrumental mix. For example, the title track with its marching beat, piano and keyboards is followed by the lovely acoustic guitar textures of Suzanne, whilst Hey That's No Way To Say Goodbye is quite atmospheric with its enchanting flute.

In my opinion, the songs Dress Rehearsal Rag and Priests do not work so well, but they've never been amongst my favourite Cohen compositions. Her version of Night Comes On is a real masterpiece, as is this elegant rendition of Sisters Of Mercy with its intricate instrumentation.

Just like Emmylou Harris slightly altered the lyrics of Dylan's Every Grain Of Sand on her Wrecking Ball album, Collins tweaks a word or two in her version of Story Of Isaac, a song with a very pertinent message for our time. Probably to reflect their personal beliefs in both cases. The song is embellished with beautiful organ and harpsichord.

Bird On A Wire has a distinct country flavour with full instrumentation including pedal steel guitar. In contrast, Famous Blue Raincoat gets an intimate treatment with sparse acoustic guitar. Produced by Arif Mardin, Take This Longing has a delicate recorder flute in the mix, whilst three backing vocalists assist on Joan Of Arc. The album concludes with a live version of the evocative Song Of Bernadette, co-written by Jennifer Warnes.

The CD booklet contains Judy's account of her meeting with Leonard and his enduring influence on her career. Amongst the black and white pictures there is one of them performing together onstage. There is also a dedication from LC and the complete lyrics of Democracy.

As far as LC tribute albums go, Democracy is a huge success. I also recommend Famous Blue Raincoat by Jennifer Warnes and I'm Your Fan with its great variety of contributors. The one titled Tower Of Song is not quite as memorable as the aforementioned although it does contain a gem or two.

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