Leonard Cohen Future CD

Leonard Cohen's 1992 release, THE FUTURE, is both a cynical attack on civilization and a spiritual edification, with the gruff-voiced theme "I've seen the future...it's murder." From the sinister whisper of the opening title track, the mood moves to the redemptive optimism of "Light As A Breeze," and the sardonic political march, "Democracy." There's a highly unlikely cover of Irving Berlin's "Always"; peculiar for an artist known more for his lyrical poetry than for his interpretive skills. But Leonard Cohen's voice translates uniquely to interpreting pop standards, and he gives the song a highly original bluesy read. Another unlikely cut is the closing instrumental, "Tacoma Trailer," featuring fine Synclavier work by Bill Ginn.

THE FUTURE is brimming with the tormented poetry for which Cohen is so well-known. His foghorn voice is close to a murmur on many songs, and he sets the mood (dark and foreboding), as he often does, through the able assistance of his omni-present female back-up singers. With the superb lyrics of songs like "Waiting For The Miracle" and "Closing Time," Leonard Cohen remains rock's preeminent poet.

Personnel: Leonard Cohen (violin, saxophone, programming); Valerie Pinkston-Mayo, Edna Wright, David Morgan, Jean Johnson, Jennifer Warnes, Julie Christensen, Peggi Blu, Perla Batalla, Anjani Thomas, Tony Warren (vocals, background vocals); Bob Metzger (guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, steel guitar); Dean Parks (guitar, acoustic guitar, mandolin); Paul Jackson, Jr. (guitar); Dennis Herring (electric guitar); Bob Furgo (violin, saxophone); David Campbell (strings, background vocals); Donald Ferrone, Daniel Smith, Thomas Tally, Suzie Kattayama, Joel Derouin, Sid Page, Suzie Katayama, Larry Corbett, Bruce Dukov, Berj Garabedian, Raymond Tischer, Ronald Clark (strings); Lon Price, Brandon Fields (tenor saxophone); Greg Smith , Greg "Frosty" Smith (baritone saxophone); Lee Thornburg (trumpet, trombone); Steve Lindsey (piano, organ, Wurlitzer organ, Mellotron, keyboards); Greg Phillinganes, Jim Cox (piano); Mike Finnigan (organ); Jeff Fisher (keyboards, programming); Randy Kerber (keyboards); John Barnes (bass synthesizer); Steve Croes, Bill Ginn (Synclavier, programming); Ed Greene, Steve Meador, James Gadson, Vinnie Colaiuta (drums); Lenny Castro (tambourine, percussion); Yoav Goren (programming); Jacquelyn Gouche-Farris, Jennifer Warner, Peggy Blue (background vocals).

Audio Mixer: Leanne Ungar.

Recording information: Capitol Recording Studio (1992); Cherokee Recording Studio (1992); Complex (1992); House of Soul (1992); Image Recording Studio (1992); Los Angeles, CA (1992); Ocean Way Recording Studio (1992); Studio 56 (1992); Studio II (1992); Studio Tempo, Montreal, British Columbia, Canada (1992); Sunset sound (1992); The Complex (1992); The Mad Hatter (1992); Village Rec (1992); Village Recorder (1992).

Director: Donald Taylor.

Unknown Contributor Role: Mike Finnigan.

Arrangers: David Campbell ; Jennifer Warner; Jeff Fisher; Rebecca de Mornay; Steve Lindsey; Leonard Cohen; Yoav Goren.

Personnel: Leonard Cohen (vocals); Dean Parks (guitar, mandolin); Bob Metzger (guitar, bass); Paul Jackson Jr., Dennis Herring (guitar); Bob Furgo (violin); Brandon Fields, Lon Price (tenor saxophone); Greg Smith (baritone saxophone); Lee R. Thronburg (trumpet, trombone); Steve Lindsey (piano, organ, Mellotron, keyboards); Jim Cox, Greg Phillinganes (piano); Randy Kerber (keyboards, synthesizer); Jeff Fisher (keyboards); Bob Glaub, Lee Sklar (bass); James Gadson, Ed Greene, Steve Meador, Vinnie Colaiuta (drums); Lenny Castro (percussion); Bill Ginn, Steve Croes (programming); Anjani Thomas, Tony Warren, Valerie Pinkston-Mayo, LA Mass Choir, Peggy Blue, Edna Wright, Jean Johnson, Jacquelyn Gouche-Farris, David Morgan (background vocals).

Producers include: Leonard Cohen, Steve Lindsey, Bill Ginn, Leanne Ungar, Rebecca De Mornay.

Rolling Stone (1/7/93, p.45) - 4 Stars - Excellent - "...THE FUTURE is epic...[and] might as easily have been a book: A more troubling, more vexing image of human failure has not been written..."
Spin (1/93, p.62) - Highly Recommended - "...Cohen's basically an old folkie-poet-novelist, and regardless of his musical inclinations, the words are paramount....A lustrous album..."
Entertainment Weekly (12/18/92, p.58) - "...Hope springs eternal on THE FUTURE, flourishing in majestic melodies....Cohen's vision isn't depressing; it's just unflinching..." - Rating: A
Q (1/93, p.79) - 4 Stars - Excellent - "...It's as worthy a successor [to I'M YOUR MAN] as could be hoped for, and compared to his contemporaries' recent efforts, blooming genius..."
Village Voice (3/2/93, p.5) - Ranked #27 in the Village Voice's list of the 40 Best Albums Of 1992.
NME (Magazine) (11/28/93, p.31) - 6 - Good - "...Leonard Cohen admirers will, no doubt, adore this with a passion..."