Book of Longing
Label: Orange Mountain Music
Release Date: 2007-11-29
Media: CD
Format: Album
WorkNameSort: Book of Longing
When Leonard Cohen released Book of Longing in 2006, his first collection of new poetry since 1984’s Book of Mercy, it read like an about-face – Mr. “I’m Your Man” softened and recast as Anthony Hopkins. The critical reaction was unfair: Cohen had aged from 50 to 72 years old between books and that changes a man. Now, fellow immortal Philip Glass celebrates Cohen’s return by converting Longing into an 86-minute symphony as complicated and macabre as the poet himself. Cohen’s own reading of “I Can’t Make the Hills” creeps in over Wendy Sutter’s dolorous cello to start us off. A winking, salacious, Gilbert & Sullivan–inspired “G-d Opened My Eyes” is another joyful surprise. Glass’ composition casts a spell as strong as Cohen’s libretto.
This article appears in Nov 28 – Dec 4, 2007.