I'm Your Man - Original Soundtrack (buy)
Leonard Cohen
Verve Forecast
By Kevin Madigan

www.leonardcohenimyourman.com

It's only right that someone of Leonard Cohen's stature should be accorded a tribute concert, with an impressive pack of singers doing the honors, which is then released as a film and a live album. And he's not even dead yet!

His own participation in the movie is mostly limited to some wry remarks about his life and career, and one wishes that he would talk more. His observations are delivered with the quiet wisdom of old poet, which, after all, is what he is. Cohen seems vaguely amused by the proceedings, which took place at the Sydney Opera House and involved the talents of Beth Orton, (Sisters of Mercy) Nick Cave, (Suzanne) Pulp's Jarvis Cocker (I Can't Forget) and Marc Anthony Thompson (If It Be Your Will) among others.

The album leaves out quite a lot from the concert, which reportedly lasted more than three hours. Luckily, various Wainwrights and McGarrigles are included here, as is the superb Teddy Thompson, son of Richard, who sings both The Future and Tonight Will Be Fine. (Incidentally, Thompson's second solo album, Separate Ways , is out now and well worth trying). Painful to listen to, though, is Julie Christensen, who is given to histrionics in her version of Anthem. Cohen sings only once, doing Tower of Song, (I was born like this / I had no choice / I was born with the gift of a golden voice) accompanied by U2, fittingly closing this fine record.