Ten New Songs

Ten New Songs is the tenth studio album by Leonard Cohen, released in 2001 by Columbia Records. The album was produced by Leanne Ungar and features Sharon Robinson on vocals and Bob Metzger on guitar, among other notable musicians such as Jennifer Warnes and John Bilezikjian. The album's release was preceded by a series of live performances, including a concert at the Montreal Jazz Festival and a show at the Royal Albert Hall in London, where Nick Cave and P.J. Harvey also performed.

Background

The creation of Ten New Songs was influenced by Leonard Cohen's experiences at the Mount Baldy Zen Center, where he studied Zen Buddhism under the guidance of Kyozan Joshu Sasaki. This period of spiritual exploration had a significant impact on Cohen's songwriting, as evident in songs like "In My Secret Life", which features lyrics that reflect on the human condition, similar to the themes explored in the works of Fyodor Dostoevsky and Albert Camus. The album's themes of love, spirituality, and social commentary are also reminiscent of the works of Bob Dylan and Joan Baez, who, like Cohen, were influential figures in the 1960s folk music scene. Additionally, the album's sound is comparable to that of Nick Drake and John Martyn, who were known for their poetic and introspective songwriting styles.

Composition and Recording

The composition and recording of Ten New Songs involved a collaborative effort between Leonard Cohen and his longtime collaborator, Sharon Robinson. The album was recorded at Still Life Studios in Los Angeles, with additional production work done at Teatro Studios in Oxnard, California. The album's sound is characterized by Cohen's distinctive baritone voice, as well as the contributions of musicians such as Bob Metzger on guitar, Roscoe Beck on bass, and Steve Meador on drums, who have also worked with artists like Elton John and Stevie Nicks. The album's production is also notable for its use of electronic elements, which were incorporated by Leanne Ungar and Leonard Cohen to create a unique sound that blends traditional and modern elements, similar to the experimental approaches of Brian Eno and David Bowie.

Release and Reception

Ten New Songs was released on October 9, 2001, to generally positive reviews from critics, with many praising the album's thoughtful and introspective songwriting, as well as its innovative production. The album was praised by critics such as Robert Christgau and Greil Marcus, who noted its similarities to the works of Tom Waits and Leonard Bernstein. The album also received attention from the music industry, with Columbia Records promoting the album through a series of live performances and interviews, including a concert at the Hollywood Bowl and an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Additionally, the album was nominated for several awards, including the Juno Award for Adult Alternative Album of the Year, which is presented by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

Track Listing

The track listing for Ten New Songs includes the following songs: "In My Secret Life", "A Thousand Kisses Deep", "That Don't Make It Junk", "Here It Is", "Love Itself", "By the Rivers Dark", "You Have Loved Enough", "Boogie Street", "The Land of Plenty", and "Ten New Songs". These songs feature lyrics that explore themes of love, spirituality, and social commentary, and are characterized by Cohen's poetic and introspective songwriting style, which is reminiscent of the works of William Blake and Walt Whitman. The album's sound is also notable for its use of electronic elements, which were incorporated by Leanne Ungar and Leonard Cohen to create a unique sound that blends traditional and modern elements, similar to the experimental approaches of Kraftwerk and The Velvet Underground.

Personnel

The personnel involved in the creation of Ten New Songs include Leonard Cohen on vocals and guitar, Sharon Robinson on vocals and keyboards, Bob Metzger on guitar, Roscoe Beck on bass, and Steve Meador on drums. Additional musicians who contributed to the album include John Bilezikjian on oud and Jennifer Warnes on vocals, who have also worked with artists like Joni Mitchell and James Taylor. The album was produced by Leanne Ungar and Leonard Cohen, with engineering work done by Leanne Ungar and Steve Meador, who have also worked with artists like Stevie Wonder and Quincy Jones. The album's cover art was designed by Perri Lister and features a photograph of Leonard Cohen taken by Dominique Issermann, who has also worked with artists like David Bowie and Iggy Pop. Category:Leonard Cohen albums