Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man Soundtrack

After more than 40 years working as a poet and a singer/songwriter, Leonard Cohen's time has finally come. In 2006 his Book of Longing, his first book of poetry in many years, just happened to coincide with the release of I'm Your Man is a filmic tribute to the Canadian writer, musician and international artist. This disc is a compilation of other artists interpreting Cohen's work; it serves not only as the film's sonic accompaniment but as yet another fitting tribute to a consummate artist.

Singers young and old were chosen to sing Cohen's songs and each has a distinctly different take on his musings on art and life. The tribute to Cohen was initially staged as a concert, Came So Far For Beauty: An Evening of Leonard Cohen Songs, in Sydney Australia. The filmmakers were on hand to capture the show and the resulting film features all the music, as well as interview footage of Cohen.

"Tonight Will Be Fine" is taken on by Teddy Thompson, son of the great guitarist and proficient English songwriter Richard Thompson. It suits his mid-range vocal style just splendidly. Thompson also gets a crack at the folk rockin' "The Future," one of Cohen's late-period songs. Teddy's mother Linda Thompson is also on hand during the concert to chip in on background vocals.

Australian prince of darkness, Nick Cave, does a Tom Waits/cabaret-style turn on "I'm Your Man." His deep and laidback approach is perfectly suited to the classic "Suzanne" on which he is accompanied by Perla Batalla and Julie Christensen.

Folkie English songbird Beth Orton performs a lovely "Sisters of Mercy." The dramatic singer Antony brings his brand of thrift-store melancholy to "If It Be Your Will," while the usually outrageous Jarvis Cocker brings humor and lightness to "I Can't Forget." Cocker's vocal style is the one that most resembles Cohen's own.

Smoky voiced Martha Wainwright gives over her pipes as well as her deep well of emotion to "Tower of Song," a song about songwriting. She also handles "The Traitor" with a light touch. Wainwright along with her mother Kate McGarrigle and her aunt Anna McGarrigle turn in a ghostly, haunting version of "Winter Lady." But the star of the show is Rufus Wainwright who brings a new softness to "Chelsea Hotel No. 2." He also brings out the campness of "Everybody Knows" by tackling it as a tango.

But the track everyone is waiting for comes at film's end and at the end of this disc: Cohen himself in front of U2 as his band on his own interpretation of art and love, "Tower of Song." Edge turns in one of his distinctive guitar leads and even Bono adds a verse but this is Cohen's show and the U2 boys purposely lay back and let him shine.

After all these years it's nice to see a fine artist like Cohen celebrated in a film of his own. Named for his song, I'm Your Man, when it comes down to serious songwriting, Cohen is the man to get the job done.