Born 1934 into a traditional Jewish family from Montreal Canada, Leonard Cohen can now be described as one of the most accomplished and celebrated singer-song writers and poets of our time. He published his first book of poetry in 1956 and his first novel in 1963. It was during his time spent on the Greek Island of Hydra that his hedonistic genius as a songwriter began to emerge. In true bohemian style, he returned from Greece, by all accounts, penniless and joined, almost by accident, the folk revival that existed in Greenwich Village, New York during the mid-60s. During these years he penned the poetic and deeply moving songs that were to change not only his life, but the lives of an entire generation of fans – those of an acoustic music listening counterculture that prevailed at that time across most of the western world. The rest, as they say, is history.
The core of his writing focuses on the deepest of thoughts and feelings known to man such as sexuality, complex interpersonal relationships, war, religion and morality. Cohen is highly regarded by critics for his lucid, rich lyrics and for wrestling with the unspoken. He has produced intimate compositions of high artistic quality across a five decade career. Now having turned 80, he has brought out a new Album entitled Popular Problems. It is amazing that considering that his first record release was in 1966, this new album actually occupied a position in the top 20, sitting proudly amongst contemporary music almost 50 years later.
Over 2,000 versions of Cohen’s songs have been recorded worldwide but none as centred, poignant and somehow perfect as Keith James’ beautiful interpretations.
“I am endeavouring to pair each song back to its’ central core and original sense of purpose by performing each song as near to the way it was originally written, exposing Cohen’s unprecedented sense of humanity. I have given a great deal of individual thought to each song; why it was written, where it was written and have considered the dynamic forces, both internal and worldly that has brought pen to paper”
Over the past three years, Keith has performed an extensive tour of this concert in Theatres and Arts Centres across the U.K., giving over 250 concerts to what has amounted to more than 70,000 people. Singing his bare and passionate interpretations of these masterfully written songs has proved to be one of the greatest honours in Keith James’ 35 year career in music.
Keith James performs The Songs of Leonard Cohen on Wednesday 3rd June at the Lantern Theatre Liverpool. Tickets are £12 and are available online www.lanterntheatreliverpool.co.uk or via the box office on 0151 703 0000.