Leonard Cohen is a brilliant songwriter. His lyrics are true poetry; a rare commodity in the world of popular music. However his "singular" style of performing can be a bit trying at times, so I really don't mind an attempt like this one. Get some talented artists together and see what they can do with his songs. Like any work of this type you will get a few high notes and low notes.

The Good:

Trisha Yearwood puts a bit too much country yodel in "Coming Back To You", but you end up believing her.

Tori Amos's sparse arrangement for "Famous Blue Raincoat" works perfectly and her delicate vocal, breathing in deeply throughout, is beautiful.(I should really think about getting some of her stuff.)

Aaron Neville gets all country on "Ain't No Cure For Love" and makes his great voice plead for a cure, which ain't forthcoming.

Willie does "Bird On A Wire " proud. Softly with guitar then organ and harmonica build up, then drums, but never changing the basic plaintive quality of the vocal.

Peter Gabriel's version of "Suzanne" is haunting and true.

Great Billy Joel on "Light as a Breeze." He makes this one his own.

"Story of Isaac" is a tough song to do convincingly, but Suzanne Vega approaches it with simplicity and intelligence.

The Bad:

Don Henley put more emotion into "Dirty Laundry" than he did on "Everybody Knows."

Sting and The Chieftains make "Sisters of Mercy" sound like an outtake from BELLS OF DUBLIN (I liked that one) this one, not so much.

"Hallelujah" by Bono is absolutely awful. I really thought Bono would make this a classic; instead he transforms this transcendent song into bad techno.

"I'm Your Man"- Elton John Trying waaay too hard.

Jann Arden's take on "If It Be Your Will" isn't really bad, just forgettable, something a Cohen song really shouldn't be.

Martin Gore makes a mistake with the synths on "Coming Back to You" but his vocals almost push it into the good side...almost.

So more good stuff than bad stuff and the good stuff will make it worth your time if your a Cohen fan.
Leonard Cohen is a brilliant songwriter. His lyrics are true poetry; a rare commodity in the world of popular music. However his "singular" style of performing can be a bit trying at times, so I really don't mind an attempt like this one. Get some talented artists together and see what they can do with his songs. Like any work of this type you will get a few high notes and low notes. The Good:

Trisha Yearwood puts a bit too much country yodel in "Coming Back To You", but you end up believing her. Tori Amos's sparse arrangement for "Famous Blue Raincoat" works perfectly and her delicate vocal, breathing in deeply throughout, is beautiful. (I should really think about getting some of her stuff. )

Aaron Neville gets all country on "Ain't No Cure For Love" and makes his great voice plead for a cure, which ain't forthcoming. Willie does "Bird On A Wire " proud. Softly with guitar then organ and harmonica build up, then drums, but never changing the basic plaintive quality of the vocal. Peter Gabriel's version of "Suzanne" is haunting and true. Great Billy Joel on "Light as a Breeze. " He makes this one his own. "Story of Isaac" is a tough song to do convincingly, but Suzanne Vega approaches it with simplicity and intelligence. The Bad:

Don Henley put more emotion into "Dirty Laundry" than he did on "Everybody Knows. "

Sting and The Chieftains make "Sisters of Mercy" sound like an outtake from BELLS OF DUBLIN (I liked that one) this one, not so much. "Hallelujah" by Bono is absolutely awful. I really thought Bono would make this a classic; instead he transforms this transcendent song into bad techno. "I'm Your Man"- Elton John Trying waaay too hard. Jann Arden's take on "If It Be Your Will" isn't really bad, just forgettable, something a Cohen song really shouldn't be. Martin Gore makes a mistake with the synths on "Coming Back to You" but his vocals almost push it into the good side... almost. So more good stuff than bad stuff and the good stuff will make it worth your time if your a Cohen fan.