New Skin For The Old Ceremony

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ALBUM INFORMATION

Total Tracks: 11   Total Length: 36:40

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Brilliant

Weegee

Yes, a masterpiece. Holds up as well as anything recorded in the 1970s. New Skin is Cohen’s most consistently engaging and timeless work. It is less spare, more orchestrated, without being overblown. His wit and wordplay is at its sharpest. It includes one of his most stark and melancholy songs: Chelsea Hotel #2. “I remember you well in the Chelsea Hotel, you were talking so brave and so sweet, giving me head on the unmade bed, while the limousines wait in the street. I don't mean to suggest that I loved you the best, I can't keep track of each fallen robin. I remember you well in the Chelsea Hotel, that's all, I don't even think of you that often.”

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New Skin For The Old Ceremony

EMUSIC-01D371BB

Once again Leonard Cohen is best with his lyrics in the stark arrangements that best show off his unique talent for saying the things that others would like to be able to say... But come so easily for him.

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eMusic Features

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Icon: Leonard Cohen

By Sam Adams

The mantle of poet is too often bestowed on any musician with a flair for the polysyllabic, but in Leonard Cohen's case, it's merely a statement of fact. Before he made his debut on record in 1967, Cohen published several volumes of poetry and a brace of novels, which helps explain the density and rich detail of even his earliest songs. Although he's widened his range in recent years, Cohen's voice has always been a… more »

They Say All Media Guide

Leonard Cohen was a poet long before he decided to pick up a guitar. Despite singing in a dry baritone over spare arrangements, Cohen is a gifted lyricist who captivates the listener. New Skin for the Old Ceremony may be Leonard Cohen’s most musical album, as he is accompanied by violas, mandolins, banjos, and percussion that give his music more texture than usual. The fact that Cohen does more real singing on this album can be seen as both a blessing and a curse — while his voice sounds more strained, the songs are delivered with more passion than usual. Furthermore, he has background vocalists including Janis Ian that add significantly to create a fuller sound. It is no surprise, however, that he generally uses simple song structures to draw attention to the words (“Who By Fire”). The lyrics are filled with abstract yet vivid images, and the album primarily uses the metaphor of love and relationships as battlegrounds (“There Is a War,” “Field Commander Cohen”). Cohen is clearly singing from the heart, and he chronicles his relationship with Janis Joplin in “Chelsea Hotel No. 2.” This is one of his best albums, although new listeners should start with Songs of Leonard Cohen. – Vik Iyengar

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  • 01.02.12 Sending you all my deepest wishes for a peaceful new year. love and music for everyone.
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  • 10.06.11 Good luck to cast of Hamlet at Stratford Apon Avon Friday evening. Would like to be there but shall recommend it to all who can.
  • 08.10.11 I am much saddened by this violence in the Uk.there is a crack in everything,hopefully that will let the light come in.
  • 08.08.11 Tea and oranges that come all the way from China... it still brings with it a warmth.
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  • 06.12.11 Check this video out -- Dianne http://t.co/U7dsfR1 via @youtube
  • 06.07.11 Rose is doing this for her aunty please sponser her...lets Share this Link http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/rosediannewaterman
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  • 06.02.11 happy to share this 'Agatha Christie' Its On June14th-17th at 7.30pm&18th at 2.30pm&7.30pm 01895 673200 Boxoffice.Compass Theatre.UK lets go
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  • 05.24.11 happy to share this 'Agatha Christie' Its On June14th-17th at 7.30pm&18th at 2.30pm&7.30pm 01895 673200 Boxoffice.Compass Theatre.UK lets go
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