In 1967, Canadian poet Leonard Cohen moved to New York City and got signed to CBS by John Hammond. That year, as John Peel relentlessly played his first album, Cohen quickly gained a following as an articulate, sensitive troubadour exploring sex and religion. The recent I’m Your Man tribute presented celeb admirers covering Cohen songs and gushing admiration, while the most modest man in showbiz told his fascinating story. This set of reviews and reports from co-workers stoke the legend and add some insight into his working processes.
Apart from expounding journalists such as Robert Christgau and Cohen biographer Ira Nadel, participants include band leader Ron Cornelius (who gets an entertaining section in the extras), John Simon (who admits he ended up producing Cohen’s debut by default), producer John Lissaur and backing singer Ronee Blakley. It’s interesting to hear how the seminal first three albums were made, albeit with diversions, such as the usual gun-related stories from studio owner-engineer David Gold about Phil Spector, who produced Death Of A Ladies Man. There are teasing snatches of songs and, best of all, Cohen himself, from TV shows and 1965’s Ladies & Gentlemen Mr Leonard Cohen. And there’s some great Nico footage too.
