Ten New Songs

Ten New Songs

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Where has Leonard Cohen been for the past nine years? The legendary songwriter's mostly been in a Zen monastery, it turns out, obsessively rewriting and polishing the oblique, lapidary lyrics for this austere collection. Ten New Songs is arguably Sharon Robinson's record as much as Cohen's--she cowrote all the songs, plays most of the instruments (primarily a synth that seems to have freshly emerged from a chintzy 1984 power ballad), and accompanies Cohen's gloomy croak with her own crooning. This is the most subdued album Cohen's ever made, which is saying something. It's as if he no longer has time for anything in music or performance that could alter the meaning and force of his words. --Douglas Wolk

Tracks:

In My Secret Life
A Thousand Kisses Deep
That Don't Make It Junk
Here It Is
Love Itself
By The Rivers Dark
Alexandra Leaving
You Have Loved Enough
Boogie Street
The Land Of Plenty

Amazon.com

Where has Leonard Cohen been for the past nine years? The legendary songwriter's mostly been in a Zen monastery, it turns out, obsessively rewriting and polishing the oblique, lapidary lyrics for this austere collection. Ten New Songs is arguably Sharon Robinson's record as much as Cohen's--she cowrote all the songs, plays most of the instruments (primarily a synth that seems to have freshly emerged from a chintzy 1984 power ballad), and accompanies Cohen's gloomy croak with her own crooning. This is the most subdued album Cohen's ever made, which is saying something. It's as if he no longer has time for anything in music or performance that could alter the meaning and force of his words. --Douglas Wolk

Customer Reviews:

A new Leonard Cohen fan........2007-03-27

Don't know how I missed Leonard Cohen in the 60's, but I am a fan now. These new recordings are fabulous.

Welcome back, Mr. Cohen...........2007-03-11

This was Leonard Cohen's first album in 9 years after a stay in a Zen monastery. It feels like he's never been away. This is another great work by Mr. Cohen, sad, depressing, uplifiting, haunting, and moving. Some have complained about the spare instrumentation (mostly a synclavier/computer performed by Sharon Robinson, who co-wrote all the songs here with Leonard), but I think it works very well. It's simple and straightforward, and it really enhances the sad, Scotch drenched lyrics. A Thousand Kisses Deep is my favorite here, along with Alexandra Leaving (a great title to a great song), and By the Rivers Dark. This isn't my favorite Cohen album (that's The Future), but this is probably the 2nd most played album in my Cohen collection. I hope that Mr. Cohen doesn't go away for 9 years again. Everyone missed him. But it's amazing that despite the fact he was gone for so long, he didn't miss a beat.

Take a Walk Down "Boogie Street" with Mr. Cohen.......2007-02-22

Hearing the throaty "Everybody Knows" in the movie "Pump up the Volume" (1990) had me envisioning an aged black man with deep wrinkles in his face, but the baritone voice belonged to Leonard Cohen: white, descended from Polish ancestry, and born into a Jewish middle-class family in Montreal, Canada.

"Songs of Leonard Cohen" (1968), Cohen's first, was produced after becoming an accomplished poet and novelist. Generally the singer has received greater attention in Canada and Europe than the good ol' U.S.A. Listen to any older album prior to 1984 with the exception of "Death of a Ladies' Man" (1977) and one hears soul-bearing songs - dirges in the vein of open wrists and blood dribbling married to the sound of pure, simple instruments. However, the prosaically named album, "Ten New Songs" (2001), has a tinge of the hopeful but also continues the synthetic mood music begun by Cohen's 1984 album, "Various Positions." The slight upbeat in lyrics can be attributed to a lifelong depression recently leaving (in an interview Cohen says he read the brain loses its anxieties as it grows older and cites this as a possible reason for his depression lifting).

Sharon Robinson (co-author of "Everybody Knows") appeared as a back-up singer on past albums and is by Cohen's side again as a back-up singer, co-writer, producer and arranger (probably left something out). Robinson actually shares the album's cover photo with Cohen. One may begin to wonder why her name is not besides Cohen's on the album's title since her input is apparently quite significant (Cohen's vision forms the album). She croons the title refrain, "In My Secret Life," several times on the opening track just before handing over the meat of the lyrics: "I saw you this morning./ You were moving so fast./ Can't seem to loosen my grip/ On the past./ And I miss you so much./ There's no one in sight./ And we're still making love/ In My Secret Life." Cohen's signature melancholy is still evident. "I'm turning tricks, I'm getting fixed,/ I'm back on Boogie Street" ("A Thousand Kisses Deep"). "You Have Loved Enough" proves true love is present and thriving among the darkness. "That I am not the one who loves - It's love that seizes me./ When hatred with his package comes,/ You forbid delivery./ And when the hunger for your touch/ Rises from the hunger,/ You whisper, 'You have loved enough,/ Now let me be the Lover.'"

The glaring deficit of "Ten New Songs" is the music or more appropriately called muzak. Often, only humdrum sounds accompany the adept lyrics. Randomly pick a track and chances are the same artificial drumbeat along with an electronic keyboard mix that sounds awfully close to what one can produce with a couple hits of a home keyboard and its repeat button will be heard. Serious flaws that would have crippled most albums, but Cohen's impeccable delivery and polished poetic lyrics make the trip down "Boogie Street" irresistible.

Bohdan Kot

A Lackluster Performance.......2007-01-29

This CD is about on par with Dear Heather, except it is more somber and dirge-like. It could use at least one song with an upbeat tempo, and the heavy use of synthetic sound gives it a sterile feeling. I long to hear a new Cohen CD where his guitar is the central instrument again and there is actually a live band backing him up. The songs worth repeat listening are: "A Thousand Kisses Deep," "In My Secret Life," "Alexandra Leaving," and "The Land of Plenty." The lyrics, in typically Cohen fashion, are pretty good for songs, but not quite poetry, however the music is just slow, depressing and dark, like a clock winding down.

Beautiful!.......2007-01-19

An extraordinary compilation of Cohen's particular brand of lyricism - both musical and poetical - honed and mellowed by longer life experience . The arrangements are elegant and the production excellent - I love everything about this album.

Singing News Fan Awards: Top Ten Southern Gospel Songs of 2000

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Singing News Fan Awards: Top Ten Southern Gospel Songs of 2000
Various Artists
Manufacturer: New Haven
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000508VU
Release Date: 2000-11-07

Tracks:

I Stand Redeemed - Legacy Five
He Said - Gold City
Just One More Soul - Greater Vision
Glorious City Of God - The Greenes
Praise His Name - Jeff & Sheri Easter
Through The Fire - The Crabb Family
Good Morning - Palmetto String Quartet
Praise God, It's Settled, I'm Saved - The Perrys
Get Away Jordan - The Dove Brothers Quartet
I Believe It All - Tony Gore & Majesty

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R.I.P. Ozma <3
Fetchin' sweet
Most of their best songs are on here
ozma
Have I heard this before?

Doubble Donkey Disc
Ozma
Manufacturer: Kung Fu Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000066RIL
Release Date: 2002-06-25

Tracks:

Flight Of Yuri Gagarin
No One Needs To Know
Korobeiniki
You Know The Story
Landing Of Yuri Gagarin
The Business Of Getting Down
Maybe In An Alternate Dimension
Immigration Song
Flight Of The Bootymaster
Continental Drift

Customer Reviews:

R.I.P. Ozma <3.......2005-04-15

I would have to agree with Erik, This is some of Ozma's greatest stuff. This record has more of a fun vibe than RaRP3, though both being equally good, DDD really shines through with such songs as Flight of the Bootymaster and COntinental Drift. If you want some awesome music pick up Rock and Roll part three and DDD, you won't regret it.

Fetchin' sweet.......2004-08-01

This "album" is an incredible show of musicianship. I own all three of Ozma's discs, and many of their unreleased stuff, and I've gotta say that this is their best work.The keys are fine tuned and incredible, as is the painfully beautiful flute used on some of this album. This "album" comprises two EP's:The Russian Coldfusion EP and The Bootytraps EP

1. Flight of Yuri Gagarin - Not bad at all. A nice little intro to start things off and to kind of get to the theme of the rest of the CD. 8/10

2. No One Needs To Know - Basically a guy telling his girl to keep a few secrets. Ryen Slegr and Daniel Brummel's voices harmonize quite while on this song.8/10

3. Korobeiniki(Traditional Russian Folk Song) - You might recognize this tune. It's the theme from Tetris, but totally rocked out. No words, straight instrumental, but is it ever one helluva instrumental. 10/10

4.You Know The Story - Really good. The keyboard integrates really nicely in there, almost so you don't notice it but can't help but love it. Once again Slegr and Brummel harmonize very well on this one. 9/10

5. The Landing of Yuri Gagarin - This and track 4 run together to make kind of a super song. This is the last song of the Russian Coldfusion EP, and does it ever end it right. Drums are incredible, some of the sweetest I've heard. 9/10

6. The Business of Getting Down - Great. The lyrics in this one are really cool. I especially like the line "When I woke up this morning, I knew what I had to find/Somewhere there exists a melody that'll make you change your mind." 10/10

7. Maybe In An Alterante Dimension - The opening guitar is wicked tight. Goes from a rock sound to almost a blues riff in less than 30 seconds. One you can really jam out to. 9/10

8. Immigration Song - A bit slower, but still very nice. The guitar in here is pretty cool. And the drums keep a pretty good tempo. 8/10

9. Flight of The Bootymaster - Personally, this is my favorite song on the CD. I love everything about it, from the drums to guitar to lyrics. It's just all around incredible.10/10

10. Continental Drift - A good way to end the whole CD. Remember when I said how painfully beautiful the flute was when it was used? Well this is the song. The bass in this one, by Daniel Brummel, is subtle yet catchy. 9/10

Overall, it's a incredible CD. It's a must buy. Especially since the band has decided to call it quits, it's a great cd to add to your collection.

Most of their best songs are on here.......2003-10-06

I guess I'll start out by commenting about Weezer, since it's impossible not to. I've always maintained that Ozma doesn't so much SOUND LIKE Weezer, as occasionally sound like they are playing songs written by Weezer. I think both Daniel and Ryen are better singers than Rivers and everyone in the band is a better musician than anyone in Weezer. And, really, none of the songs on here sound like Weezer songs. The only Ozma songs that really do, I think, are Natalie Portman, In Search of 1988 (from the Blue album or Pinkerton), and Bad Dogs (by far the worst Ozma song, sounds straight off Maladroit). Anyway, I like Rock and Roll Part 3 more than either of Weezer's first 2 albums, and I like this at least as much as the Blue Album, and probably as much as Pinkerton.
That said, the only problem with this album is that it's not really an album. It's just two of their old EPs put together, and as such, is not really cohesive in the way Rock and Roll Pt. 3 is. Still, Continental Drift is my favorite Ozma song, and I like ALL of the songs on the last half of this as much as any of the songs on R&R Pt. 3 except for Baseball. The first EP on here is also great and right up there with the best Ozma songs. You can never go wrong with Ozma, in any case. I only hope they stick away from stuff like Bad Dogs in the future, or they'll go the way of Weezer.

ozma.......2003-06-09

Ozma is great, and what if they do sound a bit like Weezer? If that is someone's sole basis for not liking the group, then you must not be able to like any punk groups, seeing as most all of them have the same vocals and sound. This does not mean punk is a bad thing, nor does it mean Ozma is a bad band. On the contrary, Ozma is the most refreshing thing since Weezer if not more so. They also use more synthesizing than Weezer, giving a more original sound.

Have I heard this before?.......2003-05-20

I bought this cd because I thought it was right, even though I've heard all but one of the songs on this album courtesy of Ozma's free mp3 site...and Kazaa. I really admire this band for trying hard to be creative by adding fun little twists in their songs. They don't sound like another starry-eyed band out there to make money. The reason I like them is because they aren't bland like their more well-known pop/rock/punk counterparts...Their sound is totally unoriginal and by that I mean the Weezer-distortion. They've got the dials turned exactly. But that isn't a bad thing because they've got plenty more merit than a cover band. They're better than the last half of Weezer but fall short from the 1st half, the blue album and Pinkerton. These songs are poppy, witty and laced with pleasant harmonies. The last song, "Continental Drift," features the keyboard player, Star Wick, on flute. Although you have to wonder, doesn't she get bored playing those simple backing melody lines over and over again? I highly recommend this disk and Ozma's other two to people who enjoy Weezer, Jimmy Eat World and mainstream "punk." It just might raise your standards for good music.

The Singing News Fan Awards: Top Ten Southern Gospel Songs of 2006

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The Singing News Fan Awards: Top Ten Southern Gospel Songs of 2006
Various Artists
Manufacturer: New Haven
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

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Shout! Victory: 30 Of Today's Top Southern Gospel Artists And Songs

ASIN: B000FVBLKW
Release Date: 2006-07-18

Tracks:

Do You Want To Be Forgiven - Signature Sound
Shepherd's Call - Crabb Family
He Saw It All - Booth Brothers
Healed - Brian Free And Assurance
Paid In Full (Through Jesus, Amen) - Greater Vision
His Name Was John - Perrys
Out Of My Darkness - Legacy Five
Don't Let The Sandals Foll Ya - Triumphant Quartet
I'm Not Ashamed - Inspirations
New Day Dawning - Whisnants

Singing News Fan Awards: Top Ten Southern Gospel Songs of 2001

Average customer rating:

Singing News Fan Awards: Top Ten Southern Gospel Songs of 2001
Various Artists
Manufacturer: New Haven
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B00005O6EC
Release Date: 2001-10-02

Tracks:

He's Still Waiting by the Well - Greater Vision
Are You Ready? - Gold City
Yes, I Am - The Hoppers
Stand Still - The Isaacs
Four Days Late - Karen Peck
There'll Come a Day - Brian Free
Next Cloud - The Kingsmen, The Kingsmen
I've Won - The McKameys
Is Anything Too Hard for God?
Suddenly a Rainbow - Dixie Echoes

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Stravinsky the Composer, not Stravinsky the Conductor
Staggering! All the Stravinsky I'll ever need!
Magnificent!
Where's my Petrushka?
legendary

Stravinsky Conducts Stravinsky

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000031X11
Release Date: 1999-12-07

Customer Reviews:

Stravinsky the Composer, not Stravinsky the Conductor.......2006-09-18

It is a pretty good collection, lots of music from Stravinsky's entire carreer, but one must keep in mind that Stravinsky was a brilliant composer, and not a commanding maestro. You will not necessarily be getting the best recordings of these works. For example, something like the Boulez/Cleveland Rite of Spring is far superior to those in this collection. He is a vastly better conductor, and is much more capable of making the orchestra perform Stravinsky's intentions than Stravinsky is. All in all, however, I am more than glad I own this set.

Staggering! All the Stravinsky I'll ever need!.......2006-05-20

While I had heard some Stravinsky compositions prior to my purchase, this was the first (and only) Stravinsky material I have ever owned. As a young music enthusiast, the draw to me was to hear these pieces as Stravinsky conducted them and to get so many of them at such a great price, not to have the original jackets for the purpose of reminiscing. So, as someone who needed a good jump start into the works of Stravinsky (by Stravinsky), this set has proven totally invaluable. And while more information could have been packed onto these cds, I do appreciate how closely these discs have stuck to the original releases. I don't know about the portion of Petroushka which some reviewers claim is missing (as I don't know any other version), but I was totally blown away at hearing this version of Petroushka anyhow. In all, for whatever faults some sticklers may find here or there with this set, the value of this material collected in such a way (and at such a price) by far outweighs any possible faults.

Magnificent!.......2006-03-02

A great collection. There is simply no substitute for hearing Stravinsky as the great composer wanted to have his music played. Here is so much and also so varied a collection. I have been enjoying this set a great deal. One of the 20th century's greatest composers conducting his own compositions.

Where's my Petrushka?.......2003-08-01

The main reason I bought this box is because I was introduced to Stravinsky's Petrushka in the spring of 2003, and I loved it.
Along with Rite of Spring I think it's the most brilliant music Mr. Stravinsky ever wrote...so, I've been listening to the 34-minute long 1960 CSO recording of it at least once a day since I first heard it, naturally sort of memorizing it, but it didn't fit when I made this CD spin. The recording of Petrushka in this box is the VERY SAME RECORDING (1960) that I'd listened to, but it's cut to a suite! It's only 24 minutes long. You can tell it's obviously cut at certain points if you're familiar with the uncut version. 10 WHOLE MINUTES ARE MISSING FROM "PETRUSHKA!" I was (and still am) very disappointed by this.
Familiarizing myself with the rest of the discs was very fulfilling, though; I love the Ebony Concerto with the Columbia Jazz Combo featuring Benny Goodman...but the "suite-cut" of Petrushka made me paranoid...I can't be sure if anything else is edited or not...
There are 75 pages of notes in the booklet about the recordings but only 1/3 is in English.
The special multimedia feature disc is nothing much. With awful graphics it features the same notes as in the booklet, and there are lyrics for those who want to use the box for karaoke.
These 400 minutes of music (an average of 45 minutes per disc) could fit on only 5 CD's instead of 9, but it seems that this collection is made for nostaligs who will love watching and touching these tiny LP-jackets - after all, it is called the "Original Jacket Collection."
Incidentally, all of Stravinsky's recorded work which he conducted himself is not in this box. It is not at all complete; aside from the missing part of "Petrushka," his own reading of "Symphony in Three Movements" is missing (but available on CBS.)
Hats off to the man himself anyway. The music is brilliant, and considering that these recordings are 40+ years old, the sound quality is very good. Excellent stereophony on Rite of Spring!
It's a good thing that his music is still available and that people are offering refurbished products thereof. But if you love Petrushka like I do...buy the real thing...this just might disappoint you...
The 3 stars is a compromise of the music and the package; (5 stars for the music & its quality - 1 star for the package, choice of discs and--considering the price--somewhat weak linear notes.)

legendary.......2002-06-30

This 9 cd set is an historical one...more than half of Stravinsky's works are collected in this set. i clearly can say that there isn't any better recording for Stravinsky's works. especcialy first released USA's national anthem and a 12 tone work "Fanfare for two Trumpets" are remarkable.and we can also mention that some noises during the recording procces (i.e: Stravinsky's turning the page of the partition) gives a different taste to the listener. This is a real golden box of music.

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Early and as Remembered

Manufacturer: New Albion Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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Tracks:

In Paris: Prelude
In Paris: Valse Gregoienne
In Paris: Preciosillo
In Paris: Three Portaits: Madame Dubost chez elle
In Paris: Three Portraits: Clair Leonard's Profile
In Paris: Three Portraits: Russell Hitchcock, Reading
In Paris: Three Portraits: Five Phrases From The Sing Of Solomon
At Home And Abroad: Four New England Portraits: A Day-Dream: A Portrait Of Herbert Whiting
At Home And Abroad: Four New England Portraits: Meditation: A Portait Of Jere Abbott
At Home And Abroad: Four New England Portraits: Hymn: A Portrait Of Josiah Marvel
At Home And Abroad: Four New England Portraits: The Hunt Hymn: A Portrait Of A.E. Austin
At Home And Abroad: Three French Boys: Portrait Of Claude Biais
At Home And Abroad: Three French Boys: A French Boy Of Ten: Louis Lange
At Home And Abroad: Three French Boys: Maurice Bavoux: Young And Alone
At Home And Abroad: Three Parisian Portraits: Poltergeist: A Portrait Of Hans Arp
At Home And Abroad: Three Parisian Portraits: Aria: A Portrait Of Germaine Hugnet
At Home And Abroad: Three Parisian Portraits: Swiss Waltz: A Portrait Of Sophie Tauber-Arp
At The Chelsea Hotel: At The Beach
At The Chelsea Hotel: Peter Monro Jack: Scottish Memories
At The Chelsea Hotel: Homage To Marya Freund And To The Harp
At The Chelsea Hotel: Five Shakespeare Songs: 1. 'Was This Fair Fave The Casue?'; 2. 'Take, O, Take THose Lips Away'; 3. 'Tell Me Where Is Fancy Bred'; 4. 'Paradon, Goddess Of The Night'; 5. 'Sigh No More, Ladies'
At The Chelsea Hotel: Man Of Iron: A Portrait Of Will Eisenhart
At The Chelsea Hotel: The Courtship Of The Yongly Bongly Bo
At The Chelsea Hotel: Dr. Marvel Rock: Making A Decision
At The Chelsea Hotel: Mally Davies: Terminations
At The Chelsea Hotel: Jone Bowles: Early And As Remebered

Singing News Fan Awards: Top Ten Southern Gospel Songs of 2004

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Singing News Fan Awards: Top Ten Southern Gospel Songs of 2004
Various Artists
Manufacturer: New Haven
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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