His profound work has inspired generations of musicians and now some of the industry's best have joined forces to pay tribute to Leonard Cohen.
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Here It Is: A Tribute to Leonard Cohen will be released by Blue Note Records on October 14.
The tribute album will feature new interpretations of some of the Canadian music legend's greatest hits, as well as some deep cuts from his 14 album catalogue.
Some of music's biggest names including Norah Jones, Peter Gabriel, Sarah McLachlan, James Taylor and Iggy Pop have recorded songs for the 12 track album.
The album's producer Larry Klein enjoyed a friendship with Cohen dating back to the early 1980s.
"After he passed away, I found myself frequently covering his songs with other artists that I was working with," he said.
"One reason, of course, is that the songs are so good - in a certain way, Leonard is the best pop songwriter ever - but the other reason was that it helped keep him in the air around me."
Klein then decided to put an album of Cohen's songs together, enlisting vocalists from a number of different genres.
Anchoring the project is a band of exceptional jazz musicians - guitarist Bill Frisell, saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins, pianist Kevin Hays, bassist Scott Colley and drummer Nate Smith. Wilkins and Frisell also provide vocals to a track each. Pedal steel guitarist Greg Leisz and organist Larry Goldings also contribute to the album.
The track list features songs ranging from Cohen's 1967 debut Songs of Leonard Cohen to his final album You Want It Darker, released just prior to his death in 2016.
James Taylor said when Klein approached him asking if he would contribute to the album he accepted without hesitation.
"As soon as I began seeking out my own musical preferences, Cohen's songs were among my few favorites and had a major influence on my own progression as a songwriter," he said.
The album's full track listing is:
1. Steer Your Way - Norah Jones
2. Here It Is - Peter Gabriel
3. Suzanne - Gregory Porter
4. Hallelujah - Sarah McLachlan
5. Avalanche - Immanuel Wilkins
6. Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye - Luciana Souza
7. Coming Back to You - James Taylor
8. You Want It Darker - Iggy Pop
9. If It Be Your Will - Mavis Staples
10. Seems So Long Ago, Nancy - David Gray
11. Famous Blue Raincoat - Nathaniel Rateliff
12. Bird on The Wire - Bill Frisell
For more information about the album click here.
