Here It Is: A Tribute To Leonard Cohen (LP)
Various Artists
Amoeba Review
Blue Note has assembled some of the most legendary artists working in contemporary jazz, R&B, and rock music to tackle the oeuvre of another legend: Leonard Cohen. On Here It Is: A Tribute to Leonard Cohen, a diverse range of vocalists interprets Cohen’s devastatingly beautiful songbook, including Norah Jones, Peter Gabriel, Iggy Pop, Gregory Porter, Sarah McLachlan, Luciana Souza, Immanuel Wilkins, Bill Frisell, James Taylor, David Gray, Nathaniel Rateliff, and Mavis Staples. The project was produced by longtime Cohen friend Larry Klein, who brought together an all-star backing band for his all-star vocal contributors: there’s Bill Frisell on guitar, Immanuel Wilkins on sax, Kevin Hays on piano, Scott Colley on bass, and Nate Smith on drums. Greg Leisz appears on pedal steel guitar and Larry Goldings on organ. The song selection spans from 1967’s Songs of Leonard Cohen up to 2016’s You Want It Darker; it’s a wonderful, lively reimagining of some of Cohen’s most beloved tunes.