Songs of Light and Darkness - Written by Leonard Cohen

Here’s Ace's second selection of Cohen covers, including versions of two songs never recorded by the man himself. His consummate skill in rhetorical and literary devices, his knowledge of religious doctrine and ceremony, his willingness to include profanity and sexually explicit imagery, and of course his black humour all combine to make his songs unlike any other. This is one of the reasons that his songs have been so in-demand from serious musical talents, and why Ace Records’ second volume of Cohen’s songs is as rich as the first. Just as he found Lorca’s poetry a touchstone for himself, the artists on here seem to take up Leonard Cohen not to copy him, not even to emulate him, but to find their own voice from the considerable challenge he sets them.

1. HALLELUJAH - k.d. lang

2. ANTHEM - Father John Misty

3. THE GYPSY'S WIFE – Patricia O'Callaghan / The Gryphon Trio

4. THE STRANGER SONG - Emmylou Harris

5. HERE IT IS - Jonathan Richman

6. YOU KNOW WHO I AM - Mama Cass

7. IS THIS WHAT YOU WANTED – The Last Shadow Puppets

8. NIGHTINGALE - Anjani

9. BLUE ALERT - Madeleine Peyroux

10. A THOUSAND KISSES DEEP - Ann Wilson

11. SHOW ME THE PLACE (Orchestrated Version) –The Webb Sisters

12. STORY OF ISAAC - Judy Collins

13. JOAN OF ARC - Anna Calvi

14. THERE ARE SOME MEN – Crouch End Festival Chorus

15. PRIESTS - Richie Havens

16. SO LONG, MARIANNE - Noel Harrison

17. CLOSING TIME - Fairport Convention