‘Sincerely L. Cohen: A Live Celebration Of Leonard Cohen’ Live Album Coming

This past January 24 an impressive collection of musicians came together in New York City to honor Leonard Cohen, who passed away on November 7, 2016. Sincerely, L. Cohen: A Live Celebration Of Leonard Cohen collects highlights from the tribute concert and is set for release on September 21 via the Royal Potato Family.

Richard Thompson, Josh Ritter, Will Sheff (Okkervil River), Amy Helm, Lee Ranaldo (Sonic Youth), Lenny Kaye (Patti Smith Group), Elvis Perkins, Holly Miranda, Joan As Police Woman and Delicate Steve are among those who contributed to the concert held at the Music Hall Of Williamsburg and who are featured on the forthcoming LP.

The concert and live album were produced by Jesse Lauter (who produced the recent Tedeschi Trucks Band live album), City Winery Presents’ Hannah Gold and Josh Kaufman (Bob Weir’s Campfire Band, Alone & Together). Kaufman fronted a house band that also featured NYC-based musicians such as drummer Ray Rizzo (Yo Yo Ma), keyboardist Walt Martin (The Walkmen), bassist Annie Nero (Craig Finn), multi-instrumentalist Stuart Bogie (Superhuman Happiness/JRAD guest), percussionist Nick Kinsey (Kevin Morby) and guitarist Dave Harrington (Darkside). The house band was aided by a backing vocal trio of Jocie Adams, Cassandra Jenkins and Leslie Mendelson.

The liner notes were penned by music critic Justin Joffe. “Sincerely, L. Cohen: A Live Celebration of Leonard Cohen could have been a solemn affair. But all performers took the celebration part to heart, infusing Cohen’s most somber truths with equal parts reverence and reverie. The evening found a mix of New York icons, esteemed singer-songwriters, cult performers, and up-and-comers for a night of Cohen standards, stories and deep cuts,” Joffe wrote. “Sentimental and scholarly, full of tearful singalongs and heartfelt remembrance, it was an evening Cohen would have appreciated.”

Here’s release details:

The album will be made available on all digital-streaming platforms on Thursday September 21, what would have been Leonard Cohen’s 83rd birthday. A limited-edition double vinyl run of 500 units is available for preorder and will hit stores in time for the holidays. All proceeds from album sales will go to the Preemptive Love Coalition, a non-profit organization that aids children and families affected by terrorism and other crises in the Middle East across the globe. For more information, visit: www.preemptivelove.org.

Listen to Delicate Steve’s “Hallelujah” via Pitchfork:

Sincerely L. Cohen: A Live Celebration Of Leonard Cohen Tracklist

1. Hallelujah- Delicate Steve
2. Sisters of Mercy- Leslie Mendelson
3. Diamonds In The Mine- Osei Essed
4. I’m Your Man- Holly Miranda, Joan As Police Woman & Invisible Familiars
5. Chelsea Hotel #2- Josh Ritter
6. Hey, That’s No Way To Say Goodbye- Amy Helm
7. Is This What You Wanted- Elvis Perkins
8. Bird On The Wire- Richard Thompson
9. Story Of Isaac- Richard Thompson
10. Beautiful Losers- Lenny Kaye
11. Memories- Ian O’Neil (Deer Tick)
12. In My Secret Life- Cassandra Jenkins
13. Ballad of The Absent Mare- Teddy Thompson
14. Suzanne- Alana Amram
15. Famous Blue Raincoat- Lee Ranaldo
16. So Long, Marianne- Will Sheff & Friends