Leonard Cohen I'm Your Man CD - Classic Folk Rock Album by Leonard Cohen | Perfect for Music Lovers & Vinyl Collectors

For people unfamiliar with Leonard Cohen, this film is about the life of this singer-songwriter/poet's life, by way of, a journey through his songs, poems, and reminiscences. However the songs for this film were recorded by other artists as a tribute to Leonard Cohen, {also known as a "cover version" of a song}. There are samples of Cohen's original versions of the songs here and there through out the film, and he does appear at the end singing his "Tower of Song" with the band U2. The video of the film alternates between home video footage of Leonard Cohen life, interviews with him, and the various performers on stage. The final song with U2 and Leonard was shot separately and more of a music video, even though it was recorded live at a separate location. Cohen does not appear on the other, live stage, versions of his songs. The film's name comes for the 1988 album, and song of the same name. The soundtrack to the movie is called "Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man, Motion Picture Soundtrack" to differentiate it from the earlier album. Although Cohen makes brief appearances through out the film, his backup singers, and singers for two of his tours Julie Christensen, and Perla Batalla appear on stage to accompany the various artists, as well as do their own tributes to Leonard.The film opens with a statement saying that the music recorded in this film was performed in January 2005, as a tribute to Leonard Cohen. However while this message, and the opening credits role there is a song "Waiting for the Miracle" song by Leonard Cohen, which originally appeared on his "The Future" 1992 album}. This song is not on the soundtrack. For the "Soundtrack" album there is a statement that the live recordings {most of which are different performances of the same songs, by the same artists}, were recorded at the "Brighton Festival 2004" and "Sydney Festival 2005", as part of Hal Willner's "Came So Far For Beauty: An Evening of Leonard Cohen Songs" tour. It then shows rehearsal and recording footage of the various artists, along with their names. Added to the scenes as a special effect is a red beaded curtain that appears and disappears, {sort of a curtain of memories, which is later revealed at the end of the film, to be in the video with Leonard Cohen, and U2 as the sing "Tower of Song", as if all that preceded it was in the past, and they were looking back at the memories from the "Tower of Song", possibly meant to mean after life}. The titles are given in a marquee version with lights spelling out the title, with the red beaded screen in the background.The main music section of the film opens with live footage of Nick Cave singing 'I'm Your Man' {original version was from the "I'm Your Man" 1988 album.} he sings it with a deep rustic voice, and actor-like poses as he delivers the lyrics. A alternate version of him singing this song live appears on the Soundtrack. The director of the film Lian Lunson, says in her audio commentary; "I feel he is Leonard Cohen's heir, in a way. Um, musically, as a writer, all of those things." The song is overlaid with a interview of Hal Willner, as he discusses being asked to produce this show. There is then a interview with Nick Cave as he talks about first hearing Leonard's music while he was living in Australia, which is also where the director of this film is from. The director also mentions how she, and the filming crew were supposed to be unseen while the show was in progress, and that she had only 4 camera that were rather far away from the stage. She then says how amazed she was by the quality of footage they were still able to acquire.There is then footage of the 1965 film "Ladies and Gentlemen... Mr. Leonard Cohen", which was recorded 2 years before his first album was released, when he was still known mostly as a poet, and novelist. Leonard is then seen in modern times, reading one of his poems, similar to what he was doing in the movie about him in 1965. The poem is from his book "Book of Longing". During his reading, there are seen photographs of Cohen when he was a child, he then talks about his career, saying that he isn't a very nostalgic person, and "I don't really look at the past". There is then a interview with "Edge" {David Howell Evans of the band U2}, along with further interview footage of Nick Cave, Hal Willner. Leonard then talks about his own writing style. Bono {Paul David Hewson of the band U2}, is next interviewed. The film also begins showing drawings that Leonard has made, a theme which is continued throughout the film, and are shown from time to time. He signs most images with a 'Star of David' type logo, but with hearts instead of triangles, and also uses Chinese characters as a second style of signature, both are seen on most of his drawings in the film. {Although, it is never mentioned that he has drawn them, at the end of the film the credits say "All Artwork by Leonard Cohen".}Next there is live footage of The Handsome Family {Brett and Rennie Sparks}, with Linda Thompson singing 'A Thousand Kisses Deep' {original version was from the "Ten New Songs" 2001 album, based on his poem "For Those Who Greeted Me".} The vocals are a duet between Brett, and Linda, as they alternate verses, in 'sadly longing for' type of voices. This song is not present on the soundtrack.Rufus Wainwright is then interviewed about how he first meet Leonard, who was feeding a injured bird at the time. Leonard then talks about how he dresses, and why he prefers to wear business type suits.The song 'Everybody Knows' {original version was from the "I'm Your Man" 1988 album}, is then sung by Rufus Wainwright in a high pitched, nasally, quirky voice, with a bit of snarky "I'm right, your wrong" type of acting as he performs, he also wears a elaborately jeweled necklace. An alternate version of him singing this song is on the Soundtrack. During this performance, in the audio commentary, the director, Lian Lunson talks about how there were three nights of live performances of the concert in Australia while she was there. At the end of the song Rufus extends the word "Knows", that along with the word play, is one reason some listeners, may be sad that this version isn't on the soundtrack.Leonard then talks about how he began writing poetry. Mentioning how it began with him hearing about how a woman reacted to a friend's poems. Leonard hears about their relationship, and the effect that the poems had on them. He then reads a poem, and along with the poem are several of his drawings some of them with nudity.Martha Wainwright then performs 'The Traitor' {original version was from the "Recent Songs" 1979 album.}, in a high pitched, gravelly, yet quite, childish type voice. A alternate version of her singing this song appears on the soundtrack. Leonard then talks about how he came up with the idea for the song.There is then home movie footage of Leonard when he was about 13 years old, and over this, present day Leonard talks about how he wrote his first poem after his father died, when he was nine years old. In audio commentary track the director then tells how the home video film had never been developed until they were going through his images for this movie.Next the song 'Winter Lady' {original version was from the "Songs of Leonard Cohen" 1967 album} is sang by Kate, Anna McGarrigle, and Martha Wainwright. A alternate version with them singing this song, appears on the soundtrack. They sing the song in quite, breathy tones, similar to thew sounds of soft puffs of wind, then pause between the lines of lyrics. All three sing harmony to each line.There is then more home video footage of Leonard as a boy, and he talks about his early days in Bible school, and reading Marvel Comics. He then mentions his writing poems for girls, saying he "tried to get girls interested in my mind."Teddy Thompson, then sings 'Tonight Will Be Fine' {original version was from the "Songs from a Room" 1969 album}, he plays acoustic guitar, and sings with a slight muffled country accent, {think of a person with a piece of paper under their lower lip, and the way it alters their accent}. A alternate version of him singing this song is on the soundtrack. Lian the director then mentions how while rehearsing this song, Julie Christensen, started crying because of how it effected her, and this footage was added to the DVD as bonus footage, you see her walk over and hug him, with tears in her eyes, as soon as the song ends. The director wasn't sure if that footage would make it onto the DVD, at the time of recording the audio commentary, but thankfully it did. She then talks about how she had to rush to finish the film for the Toronto film Festival, and she is still amazed at how "these people really made them {the songs} their own, which was you know, all in a very, very unique way. They really brought the songs to life."Leonard is then seen reading the 'Preface' to the Chinese version of his book "Beautiful Losers". He talks about his ideas for poetry, and his admiration for the Chinese poems, he says that the reader might not like all of the poems, but that he hopes people will "dip into it here and there. Perhaps there will be a passage, or even a page that resonates with your curiosity." He then describes his own book as a "odd collection of jazz riffs, pop art jokes, and religious kitsch, and muffled prayer". There is then a continuation of the album version of Leonard singing 'Waiting for the Miracle', mentioned earlier at the opening credits. He then explains how he wrote the book while he lived on the Island of Idhra {Hydra a Greek island}. He then shows various photographs, and talks about various people in the images. Next he goes on to talk about a poetry group he belonged to, and how they read their poems, and criticized one another's work. There is then more footage of his earlier film "Ladies and Gentlemen... Leonard Cohen." There is then more footage of the interview with Bono, who compares Leonard to other famous poets. Lian then in the audio commentary, mentions that she mainly knew Bono for a long time before making this film, and Bono was one of the first people she contacted to see if they will be interested in being interviewed about the effect Leonard had on them.Antony Hegarty is then seen singing 'If It Be Your Will', in a shy type way, with a rolling type rhythm to his words as he sings. This is the same version of the song, that appears on the soundtrack. During the song Leonard, in a interview, talks about wanting to have a effect on the people that listen to his songs. Lian mentions in her audio commentary, how during this song, she would begin to cry when hearing it.There is then more footage of the 'Edge' interview, who compares Leonard, to the person sitting on a mountain top, with wisdom to share. This is followed by a interview with Kate, and Anna McGrrigle, as they talk about the religious background that they, and Leonard were raised around. There is then more of the Bono interview, saying that he didn't think Leonard's work seemed religious, "it was much more tactile, or sensual."'Sisters of Mercy' is then sung by Beth Orton, {original version was from "Songs of Leonard Cohen" 1967 album}. A alternate version of this song, sang by her appears on the soundtrack. She sings in a almost weeping type tone that fades at the end of each verse, with Perla and Julie singing a melancholy La-la-la, with almost lullaby sadness. While she sings there is footage of churches in Rome, and Turin. The director Lian then mentions in the commentary, how she hopes that the lyrics would be made available on the DVD, and that the viewer could read them, and compare how they feel when they read them, and when they hear them, saying "it will mean something to you, that is different tomorrow, then it was today."Next Leonard talks about his move to New York, the writers, musicians, and poets he met there, and the way they became commercialized. He then talks about the people he meet when he lived at the Hotel Chelsea, including Janis Joplin, he then mentions having written a song about her. The director of the film then explains in the audio commentary, that the line "You preferred handsome men", was a quote from Nico {Christa Päffgen} and not by Janis.'Chelsea Hotel No. 2' is then song by Rufus Wainwright {original version was from the "New Skin for the Old Ceremony" 1974 album, titled as "Chelsea Hotel #2" on that release}. A alternate version of Rufus singing this song is on the soundtrack. For this second song Rufus offers more of a country and western, and soulful type feeling, to the song. During the audio commentary the director then talks about how Rufus, and Hal Willner, had also lived in the same hotel. She then talks about Leonard watching the video footage of the live performances of this film. She says "He sat there, so proud, watching, you know, these performers sing his songs", she later says "he was very, very moved by them."There is then more interview footage of Rufus as he talks about growing up near where Leonard had lived. Leonard then talks about his inspiration for the song Suzanne, and the real woman he meet, that he named the song after, but that his relationship with her wasn't like in the song. During this there are several of his drawings, most of them with female nudity. There is then more footage of Bono, talking about how Leonard's music can represent any part of anyone's life.The song 'Suzanne' is then sung by Nick Cave, {original version was from "Songs of Leonard Cohen" 1967 album}. A alternate version of this song, sung by Nick is on the soundtrack. Lian in her audio commentary, explains that at first Nick didn't want to be the one to perform such a well known song "because the responsibility was so great". Nick does his deep tone vocals, and sings the song as if each verse were a step, and then pauses slightly before climbing to the next verse. Julie Christensen, and Perla Batalla follow his lead, and they echo most of his lines, and in places precedes his lines.More of the Hal Willner is then seen where he talks about how he got interested in Leonard's music, because of Phil Spector. Leonard then talks about working on the album "Death of a Ladies' Man", and says "I was never able to master the record," and saying "I couldn't command a song, the way I wanted to. They all got away from me. So I've always counted it as a bit of a failure." He then explains that several people enjoy it, including the punksters, and his daughter. During this time on the audio commentary Lian talks about having the song "Death of a Ladies' Man" in the film at the Sundance Film Festival. The song featured Jarvis Cocker, and Beth Orton, but was removed from the final film because "we weren't able to clear that song for use in the film." Explaining why, there were reviews for that song, but it wasn't actually in the final cut of the film.'I Can't Forget' is then sung by Jarvis Cocker {original version was from the "I'm Your Man" 1988 album}, in a cowboy type deep voice, but without the nasally delivery that some western singers use. This version of the song is heard on the soundtrack. The song ends in a drawn out operatic crescendo, as he and the backup singers gradually increase their pitch. During the audio commentary, Lian explains the difficulties she faced in putting the songs into a certain order to try and match what Leonard was talking about, and the sort of "scrap book and collage of his life" theme she eventually came up with. She then says, "the film is really a love letter to Leonard Cohen, that's the way I looked at it. I felt like these people in Sydney paid such a great tribute to him, and I just picked it up from there, and I did what I could to create that rest of the love letter."There is then footage of Leonard in a monastery in California. He then talks about his being "attracted to the military and the monastery for their orderly rituals". Next he talks about getting into trouble in his life, and needing a place to 'cool out". He then explains that he got tired of it, and had to leave, but he eventually went back, and spent a few months each year there, then "afterwards I was ordained as a monk". Because part of his life, while living there he spent his time looking after one of the other monks, as part of his job, saying "it was appropriate that I became ordained because that was just the procedure. So I became a monk, but just formally." In the audio commentary the director talks about asking Leonard, and the fans of the film, about what she should talk about on the DVD commentary track. Leonard said the technical stuff was must interesting, while the fans of the film, asked her not to talk about technical stuff in the commentary.Julie Christensen, and Perla Batalla then sing the song Anthem {original version was from the "The Future" 1992 album}. Julie starts the song, and Perla joins in shortly after, for the chorus then Perla takes over for a section, and then they finish as a duet. A alternate version of this song, sung by them appears on the soundtrack. Strangely enough the soundtrack version has a microphone feedback sound as the two singers get close together. Even though they do put there arms around each other in the film during the same song, the audio does not give feedback, so they either used the feedback version, on purpose, for the soundtrack, or removed the sound from the film. {Julie Christensen covered this song again on her 2015/2016 album 'The Cardinal', with her band 'Stone Cupid', for a 13th, unlisted, bonus track.} They then introduce the rest of the band. In the audio commentary the director talks about how she managed to get everyone seen, even though all of the concert footage was not used. She also talks about the intermingling of the interviews of Cohen, with music, and special effects, to help the transition between live concert, and up-close interviews.Next there is more of the interviews with Hal Willner, Nick Cave, and Bono. They talk about the appeal of Cohen's song to a wide variety of people, and what they enjoyed in his work.'Hallelujah' is then played sung by Rufus Wainwright, Joan Wasser, and Martha Wainwright {original version was from "Various Positions" 1984 album}, this song is not on the soundtrack. In the commentary the director says that "I wish this song had been on the soundtrack but it wasn't. But it should have been." Other then mentioning that it may have been on some other release, Lian doesn't give any explanation as to why it wasn't on the soundtrack.Leonard then talks about the Bhagavad Gita. A Sanskrit, 18 chapter, 700 verse Hindu epic. He talks about a passage is the story where a warrior is about to fight, and he sees the enemy and realizes that they are also family and friend, but recognizes his duty is to fight against them in the war, and do his duty, and hope that things will all work out in the end, whatever happens.There is then footage of a night club, where the music video version of "Tower of Song" was recorded, featuring Leonard Cohen, and the band U2. {Sadly the other two members of U2 (Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen, Jr.) aren't interviewed in the film, but do appear in this section of the film performing with Leonard.Tower of Song is then sung by Leonard Cohen, with accompaniment by U2, with Bono doing alternate choruses and singing duet with Leonard, as well as backing vocals. {This song's original version was from Leonard Cohen's "I'm Your Man" 1988 album.} In the commentary Lian talks about filming the movie, and feeling that Leonard should sing one of his songs, and how Leonard didn't have a band at the time, and she suggested that U2 could record with them. She says it was 'Edge' that helped get the band rehearsing it, during their tours, and when the band was in New York, they recorded it with Leonard. She then says how amazing it was that they came with their tour crew, and helped record this for the film, even while the U2 crew were busy with their concert dates, they found time to do this.After the song Leonard seems a bit sad, and then their is audio of him reading a section of his poem called 'Titles' from his "Book of Longing". There is then jazz type instrumental music piece called 'Tacoma Trailer' featuring the "Came So Far for Beauty" tour orchestra {original version was from the "The Future" 1992 album}. This track was not included on the soundtrack. There is then more footage of the Bono, and Edge interviews, as they talk about how Leonard can effect his listeners, and readers. The director in the audio commentary talks about hoping to include on the DVD, the speech that Bono made about Leonard, at the Toronto Film festival. She hoped to have it, at least in text form, on the liner notes on the DVD. She then mentions that her next film also has Burlesque, "hence I brought a little of that into this film," explainintg why the final section of the movie was shoot on a burlesque, type stage. The film ends with the last words being from Bono's interview where he says, "The rest of us would be humbled by the stuff he throws away." Leonard is then seen smiling, during the scene when he was with the members of U2. The image of Leonard fades, to reveal just the red beaded curtain, as the song "I'm Your Man" begins to play {this time the version sung by Leonard Cohen, from his 1988 album "I'm Your Man"}.Several scenes not seen in the film are added to the DVD as "Special Features".* A Conversation with Leonard CohenThe first is a nearly four minute interview, with a discussion between Leonard Cohen, and the director Lian Lunson. He talks about hearing his own songs recorded by others. They talk about the hidden meanings in songs that even the artist wasn't aware of. Leonard explains that he feels that way when he hears songs written by other artists, saying "they resonate with a truth that is hard to locate, but which is operating with some force in your life." They then talk about the song "Bird on the Wire", which is not seen in the movie, but is on the soundtrack. He says that "I don't like my recording of it particularly", then later saying it was because "I wasn't in charge of my voice." He explains that a lot of the songs on his second album he feels "I was just singing it the best I could, I don't think I nailed it at all." He then gives the example of Billy Joel's version of the Cohen song, 'Light as the Breeze'. Leonard says of Billy's version "that's the song that I really meant, you know, he completely brought it to life." He lastly mentions looking forward to hearing Martha Wainwright's version of his 'Hallelujah' song.* Additional Musical Performances** 'Tower of Song', sung by Martha Wainwright, although not in the main film. A alternate version, of this song is sung by her in the film's soundtrack.** 'Bird on a Wire' sung by Perla batalla, {original version was from the "Songs from a Room" 1969 album, titled "Bird on the wire".} A alternate version of this song, sung by her is on the soundtrack.** 'Famous Blue Raincoat', sung by The Handsome Family {original version was from the "Songs of Love and Hate" 1971 album.} A alternate version with them singing the same song appears on the soundtrack.** 'Tonight Will Be Fine' sung by Teddy Thompson during rehearsal, at the end Julie Christensen gives Teddy a hug, while crying, as the director mentioned in her audio commentary during the film. A alternate version of this song is sung by him on the soundtrack, which is also different then the version in the film.* Also from Lionsgate.** {Trailers to several films they produced.}Tracks that only appear on the soundtrack.* "The Future" sung by Teddy Thompson {original version was from the "The Future" 1992 album}, is the only song on the all the soundtrack versions , but doesn't also appear in the film, or it's bonus footage.* "The Guests" sung by Laurie Anderson, {original version was from the "Recent Songs" 1979 album}, it was a iTunes bonus track only available in the digital format. She appeared at the Dublin, Ireland version of the tour.Leonard Cohen studio albums.* Songs of Leonard Cohen {1967}* Songs from a Room {1969}* Songs of Love and Hate {1971}* New Skin for the Old Ceremony {1974}* Death of a Ladies' Man {1977}* Recent Songs {1979}* Various Positions {1984}* I'm Your Man {1988}* The Future {1992}* Ten New Songs {2001}* Dear Heather {2004}* Old Ideas {2012}* Popular Problems {2014}Books by Leonard Cohen* Let Us Compare Mythologies {1956 book of poems}* The Spice-Box of Earth {1961 book of poems}* The Favourite Game {1963 novel}* Flowers for Hitler {1964 book of poems}* Beautiful Losers {1966 novel}* Parasites Of Heaven {1966 book of poems}* Leonard Cohen: SELECTED POEMS: 1956-1968 {1968 book of poems}* The Energy Of Slaves {1972 book of poems}* Death of a Lady's Man {1978 poem book, with a similar name to his earlier music album "Death of a Ladies' Man"}* Book of Mercy {1984 book of poems}* Stranger Music {1993 book of poems, and lyrics to his songs}* Book of Longing {2006 book of poems}* Poems and Songs {2011 Book of poems, and lyrics to his songs}* Fifteen Poems {2012 digital eBook of poems, and his drawings}The film makes a great introduction to the works of Leonard Cohen, and hopefully helps general listeners become familiar with the various artists that contributed to the project. I came to learn of Leonard's work through the path of Julie Christensen, from her backing vocals on a children's science television show called "Beakman's World". She appeared on Leonard Cohen's "The Future" album and the tours for that album, and "I'm Your Man" 1988 tour but not on the album, she has also done solo performances of his songs.The film moves along at a fast pace, and tried to incorporate live performances, with interviews, and footage of Cohen's life. I think the director succeeded in making all aspects of Leonard's work visible, and understandable throughout the film. The only miss step, at least were I got confused, was if he had drawn the illustrations himself, or if they were just a style of art that the director or Cohen himself preferred. The credits of the movie do clear this up with their mentioning "All Artwork by Leonard Cohen", in one scene he mentions leaving a not, and there is a illustration on the note, but I don't remember him actually drawing in any of the scenes, giving the impression that they are added story telling devises, and not part of his work.The lyrics to some of the songs have sexual, and drug references in places, and the art has some nudity, but according to the soundtrack the film was rated PG13. While on the DVD itself, {at least the version I got with a cardboard outer sleeve over the inner plastic DVD case}, the rating for the film is not shown, and there are no inserts.The soundtrack to the film is also a curiosity as it features alternate performances of these songs by the presented artists. Onle two of the songs were the same versions in the soundtrack and the film. 'If It Be Your Will', performed by Antony Hegarty, and 'I Can't Forget', performed by Jarvis Cocker. As mentioned earlier some songs were removed from the film, and, or the soundtrack, so if you were one of the people who attended the "Came So Far For Beauty: An Evening of Leonard Cohen Songs" tour there are songs that the performers covered that aren't represented on any of the variations of the album, or in the film. On the soundtrack there are some linear notes that give the crew listing as well as, some interesting photos of each of the performers, and a a reminiscences of the project by Hal Willner. Saying that, "the show actually runs three hours, so choosing the tracks that were actually on this CD was incredibly hard". The original version of the soundtrack also came with a sticker attached to the plastic wrap, it listed all the main singers in alphbetical, except "Leonard Cohen with U2" which was listed at the end.Altogether the aims of the concert, and film, are quite impressive, hopefully someday there will be a director's cut, with the missing footage. And the missing/alternate audio tracks from the film released on a deluxe soundtrack version of the film. Along with artist liner notes, giving their reflections on the tour, and their roles in performing the various songs. I think anyone even remotely interested in the songs, or artists will find the film, and album enjoyable. But they might be distracted by the the various oddities that go into such a long extended project such as this. You can enjoy all of it, some of it, or simply one track, but the experience of the film helps to tie all the songs into a relatively coherent form, and will educate the viewer about a history in the music world, that they may have over looked.