Albums to take to the other side

This was the unusual competition in the online site of the US magazine American Songwriter. At first I didn't pay it much attention, thinking it was just another list competition, but as the week has moved on I've found the theme entering my thoughts more and more.

It's just under 50 years ago that I bought my first LP, The Best of the Beach Boys, and strangely I remember that it cost 32 shillings and 6 pence. In compiling the list I've decided to reject any greatest hits or "best of" compilations in the belief that it's cheating. Similarly I've ignored live albums; this is more contentious as some of my favourite albums are indeed " Live at", but these often run into double albums and that's not what this list is all about. So I've selected ten albums that have at different times enthralled me or captured a mood at a time of my life.

I'm sure that if I had drawn up the list last year or indeed next, there would be some modifications. I think that's natural but for now here goes, the ten albums not in precise order that I want to take with me ..

1 Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen (1975)

 

 

 

2 Darkness on the Edge of Towm - Bruce Springsteen (1978)

 Winnemucca - Richmond Fontaine

 

 

 

 

4. The Dirty South - Drive by Truckers

 

 

 

 

 

5. August and Everything After - Counting Crows

 

 

 

6 Return of the Grievous Angel - Gram Parsons (1973)

 

 

 

 

7.Songs of Leonard Cohen - Leonard Cohen

 

 

 

8 Cold Roses - Ryan Adams

 

 

 

9 Harvest - Neil Young

 

 

 

10 The Nightfly - Donald Fagan

 

 

 

 

Leonard's your man

One advantage of being away for a week is that life becomes simpler, little telephone contact, restricted internet access and only minimal interest in the television situated in our hotel room. As a result more time can be devoted to reading. During the last week I've read "I'm your Man " - The Life of Leonard Cohen.

Musical biographies can often read like a collection of press cuttings with the occasional scandal or detail acquired from some dubious source who once met the artist in a bar. "I'm you man" is a long way removed from such hagiography.
The author Sylvie Simmons has had access to many musicians, poets and others who have shared Leonard's life.

It's an excellent read that details Leonard's life growing up in Montral, his years spent on Hydra, and his latter years in California including his time spent as a buddhist monk.

Obviously it looks at Leonard's various albums but the years spent between. I first became aware of Leonard Cohen when as a 15 year old I bought the CBS Rock Sampler "The Rock Machine turns you on ". At the time I was completely unaware on Cohen's work. However at the time I was both fascinated by poetry and the work of singer songwriters and Leonard Cohen ticked both boxes.

On hearing the Sisters of Mercy ( his track on the album) I was enthralled. Here was an artist to whom the lyrics seemed central. I've sang that song so often to myself over the years. Through circumstances and impoverishment it was some 40 years before I saw L.Cohen in concert. I was fortunate enough to be present when in July 2008 he played at the O2 arena London, a concert captured and released on CD and DVD.

In so many ways Leonard pre dates the era of rock. Next year he will be 80, yet  while his style of music has altered over the years , the themes and images he creates with his lyrics remain timeless. The biography reveals a complex man, who has battled depression and anxiety, who has sought refuge in the spiritual world but who has lived in fascinating life worthy of a biographer's attention.