Jim James Debuts Leonard Cohen Cover In Chicago

Jim James continued his solo tour in support of his new album Eternally Even with a concert at the Vic Theatre in Chicago Saturday night. The concert saw the My Morning Jacket frontman perform another song written by the late great Leonard Cohen for the first time this tour.

The 13-song set at The Vic featured each of the songs that appear on Eternally Even as well as a cover of The Velvet Underground’s “I’m Set Free.” Backed by a band featuring opening act Twin Limb, James also mixed in selections from his 2013 solo album Regions Of Light And Sound And God, offering takes on “Know Til Now,” “Dear One” and “A New Life” within the main set.

James began the encore by debuting a cover of Leonard Cohen’s beloved “Suzanne.” The tour has seen additional covers by Cohen, who passed away at age 82 earlier this month, including “Bird On The Wire” and “Hey, That’s No Way to Say Goodbye.” The encore progressed with the Regions track “Of The Mother Again,” followed by “Dear God (Sincerely M.O.F.)” by Monsters Of Folk and “Down On The Bottom” by The New Basement Tapes. “State of the Art (A.E.I.O.U.)” brought an end to the concert in the Windy City.