RECENT SONGS ALBUM

[MarioJoel]

There's so much to look at and up an Leonard's work; that most of the time, it's precisely time the only tool we are left with to measure the impact of this man's work. Fort some reason, I have gone back to Recent Songs, and after having listened to and thought about it for over several days. I feel that this album is definitely "underrated". At the distance of thirty years, this album comes back an install itself as one of L.C's best ever. The album is flawless and its unity is surprising. More and more, it starts to look like one of the Beatle's monster albums. The more you listen to it, the more you like it.

take a listen. Wine and cigars can definitely make the occasion better.

Best,
Mario Joel

[John Etherington]

Hi MarioJoel,

"Recent Songs" is definitely Leonard's "masterpiece unsigned". It's always been one of my favourite albums, and possibly my favourite. "The Window" and "Ballad of the Absent Mare" are totally exquisite,and there are so many other gems - "The Guests", "Came So Far For Beauty", "The Traitor", "Lady of Solitude", "The Gypsy's Wife" and "The Smokey Life". Even "Humbled in Love" has its place. The only possible improvement that could have been made to the album was (as Jim Devlin suggested) the replacement of "The Lost Canadian" with "Misty Blue", which Leonard was performing live around that time. Somehow the album got missed by many, coming as it did in the wake of "Death of a Ladies Man". However, it was the work that put Leonard right back on his true path. I must say that it feels good to still have "Recent Songs" as such a well-kept secret!

All the best, John E

[UrPal]

Not so recent an album any more though is it?

Same goes for Ten New Songs.

It's strange that such temporally fixed titles have been chosen for albums, since they inevitably pass a virtual "sell by date" soon after release. Of course, for newcomers the whole back catalogue becomes "new" on discovery so to that extent the title remains an allurement. The name keeps it artificially fresh, so to speak. And perhaps also serves to confuse the relativist!

Many of LCs album titles lack the lyrical imagination that lies beneath - "Songs of...", "Songs from..", "Live Songs", "Cohen Live" etc. Is it a case of the author being so exhausted by the pre-production process he can't spare the energy to spend much time agonising over peripherals such as the album name? Or is there some hidden text? Deliberate concealment of hidden treasure by hiding it in a brown paper bag? Or just plain modesty and avoidance of ostentation?

[MarioJoel]

Hello,

Good point! There's almost no attractive title in LC's albums: Ten New Songs, Recent Soongs, etc, but again, he doesn't care. I bet "I came so far for beauty" could have made the trick. But now that you mention it, probably none of the greatest albums in history have a suggestive catchy title at all.

BEst,
MArio

[brokenhill]

Not so recent an album any more though is it?
Many of LCs album titles lack the lyrical imagination that lies beneath - "Songs of...", "Songs from..", "Live Songs", "Cohen Live" etc. Is it a case of the author being so exhausted by the pre-production process he can't spare the energy to spend much time agonising over peripherals such as the album name? Or is there some hidden text? Deliberate concealment of hidden treasure by hiding it in a brown paper bag? Or just plain modesty and avoidance of ostentation?

Intriguing question, UrPal.

Then again, I have heard that other artists tend to think "The Future" is one of the great album titles of all time. After thinking about it for a while, it is pretty magnificent. It could be accidental though, given the workmanlike nature of all the other album titles? (apart from New Skin For The Old Ceremony and Dear Heather )

[alb123]

What a fantastic post! I too an often baffled by the lack of recognition for this great album. I think it would be safe to say that I listen to at least one or two tracks of this album every week while I listen to music on my BlackBerry...Absolutely brilliant writing on this album. I will never forget hearing it for the first time: When "The Traitor" finished, I think I listened to it about three or four more times to absorb its beauty and contemplate...

Chris

[somewhat_nifty]

I think this is one of the most lyrically beautiful of Leonard's albums, I just love it! The Ballad of the Absent Mare, The Traitor, The Window are breathtaking. It's weird how it almost seems to fly under the radar. I've had terrible problems trying to buy the guitar songbook to add to my collection, can't get hold of one for love nor money

Regarding the names of Leonard's albums, I like the fact that they're often just simple descriptions - the simplicity is a good contrast to the lyrical mastery within. Often album names can come off sounding really pretentious, and this sidesteps that problem neatly. In the UK, there was an ad campaign for floor varnish called Ronseal that used the slogan 'it does exactly what it says on the tin', that became a meme or catchphrase. I think Leonard has 'ronseal' albums: The Songs of Leonard Cohen - you've got songs of Leonard Cohen; Recent Songs - here are some recent songs; Ten New Songs - what have you got, 10 new songs! I think it's great.

[anneporter]

I've had terrible problems trying to buy the guitar songbook to add to my collection, can't get hold of one for love nor money

I am fortunate to have puchased the original songbook way back in the day and can let you have a copy. No money required, just mutual love of an everlasting object of beauty. And the willingness to engage in a little copyright violation.

If a copy will suffice, PM me your address.

Anne

[Jim Williams]

Not so recent an album any more though is it?

Same goes for Ten New Songs.

It's strange that such temporally fixed titles have been chosen for albums, since they inevitably pass a virtual "sell by date" soon after release. Of course, for newcomers the whole back catalogue becomes "new" on discovery so to that extent the title remains an allurement. The name keeps it artificially fresh, so to speak. And perhaps also serves to confuse the relativist!

Many of LCs album titles lack the lyrical imagination that lies beneath - "Songs of...", "Songs from..", "Live Songs", "Cohen Live" etc. Is it a case of the author being so exhausted by the pre-production process he can't spare the energy to spend much time agonising over peripherals such as the album name? Or is there some hidden text? Deliberate concealment of hidden treasure by hiding it in a brown paper bag? Or just plain modesty and avoidance of ostentation?

Fabulous post. 'Brown paper bags' concealing gems certainly seems to describe well such prosaic packages. And, for me, Recent Songs is certainly a contender for most undervalued album of all time (at the risk of ignoring the sublime Ten New Songs!).

[Jonnie Falafel]

The violin on The Traitor sends me off to another world. Recent Songs and New Skin are the albums that consistently enchant, entrance & enthrall me.

[table top joe]

Somehow the album got missed by many, coming as it did in the wake of "Death of a Ladies Man".

Id imagine that played a big part in it,and it doesnt have any "big" songs on it,a "Hallelujah","Im Your Man" etc.......ive never heard "Misty Blue" but id happily replace "The Lost Canadian" with something else,always felt that track interrupted the flow of the album(though i see from someones list on the other thread its their favourite song off it!)i was delighted to see "The Gypsy Wife" make it to the tour but "Came So Far For Beauty" would have been a great addition too

i think Leonard has 'ronseal' albums

Ive never liked how he names his albums to be honest,its very starnge that a man who can spend years on a song can give such boring names to his albums,though i do look forward to his forthcoming "Songs I Wrote During The Tour" album

[somewhat_nifty]

Ive never liked how he names his albums to be honest,its very starnge that a man who can spend years on a song can give such boring names to his albums,though i do look forward to his forthcoming "Songs I Wrote During The Tour" album

I'm sure it will be a similarly no nonsense name! I suppose currently they are 'Nascent Songs' ...

[phillip]

I love all LC albums and yes Recent songs is a great great album:)

[tomsakic]

Well, according to Leonard's 2001 interview, it's his best album in his opinion.

[B4real]

Well, according to Leonard's 2001 interview, it's his best album in his opinion.

I am on record previously on this forum in agreement with the above.
It is my favourite album