First three albums re-released today

[blonde madonna]

Ist die ominöse "Jane" Janis Joplin, von der drei Jahre später auch "Chelsea Hotel No. 2" handelte?
"Kuschelfolk it ain't."

OK this is strange, 'Jane' from FBR is ominous, is that right? And she also might be Janis Joplin? Never heard this before.
btw what is Kuschelfolk? This is going to be my new catch phrase, I like the sound of it even if I don't know what it means.

[linda_lakeside]

I think the references to 'Jane' in FBR are too frequent and too personal to be attributed to Janis. By the song's 'story' it sounds like the writer (Leonard or whomever), is 'living' with 'Jane'. Much went on between 'Jane', the writer and the recipient of the letter. Much more than 'head on an unmade bed'.

Thanks for the trouble you took
from her eyes, I never tried ...

Sincerely, L. Cohen.

Far too personal, if I'm reading this post right, at least.

[osmachar]

Ist die ominöse "Jane" Janis Joplin, von der drei Jahre später auch "Chelsea Hotel No. 2" handelte?
"Kuschelfolk it ain't."

OK this is strange, 'Jane' from FBR is ominous, is that right? And she also might be Janis Joplin? Never heard this before.
btw what is Kuschelfolk? This is going to be my new catch phrase, I like the sound of it even if I don't know what it means.

Not too sure what they mean by Kuschelfolk. Kuscheln literally means to cuddle and Folk is folk music, so I guess they just say this derogerativey meaning some sort of easy-listening folky type music.

[blonde madonna]

The songs, themselves, are among Cohen’s best. Most notably, Famous Blue Raincoat and Joan of Arc — which were given a second life and an airing out by Jennifer Warnes in the late ’80s — are presented in all of their original, dark glory. Fortunately or unfortunately, depending upon one’s perspective, Warnes’ uplifting voice and interpretations are nowhere in evidence.

Many of the lyrics presented on Songs of Love and Hate are spoken — barked out rather than sung — and it’s easy to see why Cohen refers to the endeavor as his ode to "European blues." The tone set by the opening track Avalanche, a tale of desperate arrogance and hopelessness in the face of the swirling caprices of fate, is maintained throughout the endeavor. The collection ultimately comes off as somber, bleak, and unrelenting.

http://www.musicbox-online.com/reviews- ... 62007.html

[linda_lakeside]

I'm a real fan of Jennifer and for me, it's nice to have Leonard's original interpretation, then long afterward, the addition of Jennifer's lovely light vocal. Both sides to one coin. Which many of Leonard's works can be seen as. There are often two sides.

In any event, I think that the 'lighter' or more 'ethereal' voiced ladies added much to Leonard's work. A nice juxtaposition. The 'barking', and the 'angels'. Beautiful. Then the poetry ... his delivery has changed so much. From the unflinching reader of poetry, clear and near perfect enunciation, to the warm and 'flawed', more 'life-like' Leonard. I much prefer the second.

[Drexler_McStyles]

After reading on this site that the re-issues were only going to be available in the Digipak I bit the bullet and purchased 2 of them anyway. I am not a fan of this type of packaging as it tends not to wear well and I've had problems with the sleeve scratching the discs when you pulled them out. I must say they have done a great job with the booklets and of course the sound. So, I decided to order the one that I didn't have; Song of Leonard Cohen. It arrived today in the mail and when i opened, low and behold it was the remaster, in a jewel case! This kind of irritates me because now I am probably going to go out and repurchase the other two in jewel case form. Couldn't someone from Sony said they were going to be available in jewel cases as well? Did no one here have information regarding that. I hate to complain, I'm thrilled that they've taken the time to remaster these albums and Im looking forward to seeing the rest of the catalog done to but they need to communicate what is going to be available a little better.

D.

[tomsakic]

I guess you did read the news elsewhere:

viewtopic.php?p=90215#p90215

PS. both Tom and I have got confirmation from various sources that the next set of remasters is on hold, and a later release date will be announced as soon as decisions have been made.

This means that we will NOT get the second set this fall (it was supposed to include Various Positions, I'm Your Man and The Future).

Croatian SonyBMG company has indeed confirmed in its Friday's PR news that "Cohen remasters will continue to appear". (!) (PR announcement was published because of the Croatian launch of Nadel's biography plus to publish the fact that first three remasters are going well on the market!)

In phone call I heard that they are "slowed down" so the new album can be released without any competition from Leonard himself:-) Nothing has been said except that "remasters are on hold for now"; the new PR doesn't mention dates at all anymore (while previous has announce next three albums for September).

I guess that means next three are on hold at least until early 2008 if new album is set to appear in October 2007, what's the date again repeated in this PR announcement. (The date is again confirmed from Sony European headqaurters it seems.)

[lizzytysh]

In phone call I heard that they are "slowed down" so the new album can be released without any competition from Leonard himself:-)

~ Lizzy