One might not expect Leonard Cohen - a perfectionist who takes years to write songs and ages between albums - to be the type of artist whose songs really come alive in concert, but this excellent and amazing live albums proves them wholly and totally wrong. Armed with a professional and accomplished backing band, Leonard sings these songs with the amazingly deep voice that he began cultivating around the time of the I'm Your Man album, and has since taken to even further depths. Though some may prefer the bare monotone that he sang with on his early albums, I have always been fond of his later, deeper voice, and it's quite a treat to be able to hear many of his classics songs sung in this voice. It lends them a totally different character, and every song on this album is a universal improvement. The excellent backing musicians Leonard employs also improve the songs immensely by tossing in solos on the various instruments (several songs feature stunning solos on the guitar and oud), making practically every song an improvement over the earlier studio versions. Leonard and the band are in perfect form throughout. The man is really pouring his all into these songs, and several of the performances are absolutely revelatory and amazing: Joan of Arc, which features half of its vocals performed by a female singer (something the song has always called for) is indispensable; Hallelujah is an amazing performance made even more memorable by the addition of several new verses (as is Bird On The Wire); and If It Be Your Will and Suzanne are a pair of absolute classics, masterfully performed, that are truly appreciated by the audience. Every song on this album is a masterful performance, and many are the definitive versions. My only regret is that there are no songs from The Future, my favorite Leonard Cohen album. Alas, the album remains absolutely essential to any fan of the artist. I made the mistake of making this the last Leonard Cohen album I bought - not realizing that his songs really come alive when done in front of an audience - don't let the same thing happen to you: get this album today.

This is probably Leonard's most difficult CD to review. His fans and newcomers alike will either love it OR hate it...and it probably should have been titled "Songs of Love and Hate II". The sparse instrumentation...exquisite back-ground vocals...smokey voice...and of course always...the lyrics...makes this simply one of his best. "Bird on the Wire", "Joan of Arc","If It be Your Will"...and "Hallelujah" alone are worth the price of the entire CD! On "Hallelujah" note the slightly different words from some versions of this song...and how it has become slighly more sensual and...maybe less spiritual...then in the past. A Dark Musical Master at his best...

The lyrics. That's what we're here for- I love L. Cohen songs. Not so much his albums in their entirety (with this being the one exception), but certain songs of his... Damn. He is a singer/songwriter like no other. This CD captures performances from the early 90's, and it showcases both Cohen and his band in top form. The female background singers sound sleek and seductive, the musicians know when to take the spot and when to let Leonard do his thing- everyone knows what to do.

Usually I feel that Cohen is a superb, master songwriter, but other people cover his songs and better than he does. Concrete Blonde's cover of `Everybody Knows,' comes to mind, as does Tori Amos's spellbinding version of `Famous Blue Raincoat.' Again, this album is an exception. He shows that he can really work his material, milk it wonderfully for every ounce of lyricism. You know the songs are his. His plaintive, monochromatic voice has always been a cornerstone of his style and it has certainly aged well. The gravelly, stark delivery really fits the ambience.

And the songs! This is a great selection of Cohen's work, hands down (I just wish there were more). And several cuts are simply the best versions (in my humble opinion) you can find of the songs in question- period. `Dance Me to the End of Love,' is much better fleshed out here than on "I'm Your Man," (much of the studio atmosphere, the sound of Cohen's 80's albums, I think, works against him- those albums just sound ineluctably dated to me) and `If it be your Will,' That song slays me. Always will. The live version here (track 11- and a reason in itself to buy this CD) is sooooooo much better than the one on `Various Positions' (another 80's album that just doesn't sound good to me). `Who by Fire,' is another standout track- with a violin that drones away in a middle-eastern, harmonic minor melody... The songs segue into each other nicely, even though they were culled from a variety of shows. I never cared for `I'm Your Man,' or `Bird on a Wire,' until I heard these versions.

The only songs I don't really care for are `Everybody Knows,' (Mr. Cohen messes around with the vocal rhythm and it just sounds bad- in my opinion), and `Heart With No Companion,' (just don't like that song). I wish `Chelsea Hotel #2,' `The Stranger Song,' `Avalanche,' `Seems So Long Ago, Nancy,' `Leaving Green Sleeves,' `A Singer Must Die,' `Last Year's Man,' and `Love Calls You by Name,' had been performed as well.

Highly, thoroughly, recommended.

WOW, I love Leonard Cohen and this album certainly does not disappoint. I first "discovered" Leonard Cohen when I was a teenager and purchased the Pump Up the Volume soundtrack (which features his song "Everybody Knows"). I have never looked back. Cohen is one of the greatest singer/songwriters I have ever heard. A living legend. All of his albums are great (although some can take getting used to...much like fine wine), but I think that "Cohen Live" stands out because of the variety of songs and his incredible "live" presence. For true blue fans this is an essential recording. However, if you are someone who is just curious about Leonard Cohen, I also think that this is an excellent getting-to-know-you album. Enjoy.

I'm an avid Leonard Cohen fan, and have all his albums, but this stands out as far and away the best. Upon first listening in the car where accoustics are not fantastic, I thought I was listening to Blind Melon Chitlin when "Bird on a Wire' came on. Later, in a quiet location, I was enchanted and hypnotised.

The vocals are mostly the same, but have worn and changed with the man - a little extra here and a little changed there. The background vocals are wonderful and I never tire of the very tasteful and talented musicians - especially those from the 1993 session. Paul Ostermayer is outstanding on sax.

After listening to this album, (in a tent on a starry quiet night) I put on one of Cohen's other albums and just couldn't get into it. This is a masterpiece - one that will grow on you more every time you play it. Highly, highly recommended.