Adam

by Garth A. Leonard Aug 14, 2017

Leonard Cohen

Will there ever be another singing poet who will reach the depths of our hearts and souls as poet laureate Leonard Cohen did? Born in Canada, Cohen’s transition from the spoken word of poetry to the singing word seemed to come reluctantly, as did his acceptance by an American audience in the turbulent 1960s. Already in his thirties, he was too old for most of the young listeners (“Don’t trust anyone over thirty.” - Jack Weinberg, c.1965). Further, the music of the ‘60s heralded anti-government, anti-war sentiment, carefree love and sex. Cohen’s music didn’t quite fit into the consciousness of American youth. It faired much better with European audiences. Fast-forward a few decades. After Leonard’s financial manager made off with all of Leonard’s money, he found himself in the uncomfortable position of having to go on tour to recoup his fortune - at age 75! And recoup he did! And then some! Cohen’s fans mostly recognize the five-year period of his final on-stage tour as the best song, poem, and performance era of his career. His artistry was enhanced by careful selection of back-up musicians - the best of the best - including back-up vocalists, his long time collaborator Sharon Robinson and the beautiful and youthful “Sublime Webb sisters”, Charley and Hattie. I saw Leonard and his ensemble perform at the Fox Theater in St. Louis, Missouri in November 2009, and the songs still haven’t stopped playing in my head eight years later. At age 81 Cohen played the final concert of his tour and went into retirement due to age-related health. Two years later he recorded his final album, “You Want It Darker” while lying in a cardiac chair in his home with spinal compression fractures. His last album was masterfully produced by his son Adam Cohen. Less than three weeks after his last album was released Leonard Cohen drew his last breath. Now, with his own  fourth album release, Adam Cohen seems to be following in his “pop’s” footsteps. Indeed, to close one’s eyes and listen to Adam’s song is to drift back about four decades and hear Leonard himself singing. But although Adam seems to be following in his father’s footsteps, he is not replicating his father’s inimitable style, nor is he trying to. I once asked Adam, following his father’s passing, if he was considering releasing his own album of his father’s songs. He told me that he was not. No, Adam Cohen is carving out his own niche in the pop music genre. As a dedicated Leonard Cohen fan I continue to listen to his music (and read his poetry). And when I listen to Adam’s music, enjoying his own unique style in that faraway somewhat familiar voice, I sometimes detect a hint of Leonard Cohen’s influence seeping through. And I don’t think Adam wants to disguise that. It makes his sound that much more enjoyable to this listener. As the years and decades passed, Leonard Cohen

Adam Cohen

became increasingly deeper and darker. History may well paint Hallelujah as his signature piece. He was fifty years old when he released that song on his Various Positions album in 1984. Over the ensuing three decades the soul-digging lyric and tone continued to haunt the depths of our conscience until his album You Want It Darker punctuated his five-decades-long career. So, is Adam Cohen the answer to my opening question? In his mid-forties he has plenty of time to show us. Unfortunately, already at age sixty-five I likely won’t be around long enough to hear where he takes us. But I think it’s a realistic expectation. So to close with a time-worn cliche - and with apologies - “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”