This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
"OLD IDEAS," an album by Leonard Cohen, will be released by Columbia Records on January 31, his first studio album of new material in eight years.
From the press release:
The album's ten songs poetically address some of the most profound quandaries of human existence - the relationship to a transcendent being, love, sexuality, loss and death. Arguably the most overtly spiritual of the revered artist's albums, Old Ideas inspires commitment to a greater sense of compassion and decency.
"Old Ideas" is available for preorder now at http://www.LeonardCohen.com where his song, "Show Me The Place" is also streaming. Fans who pre-order will receive an instant download of the new song.
Also from the release: While the recording of Old Ideas began in earnest in January 2011, many of the new songs and their lyrics have been in the works for years. Early versions of two album tracks, "Amen" and "Lullaby" were originally recorded in 2007, while early versions of "Lullaby" and " The Darkness" were performed live during Cohen's recently concluded, sold-out world tour. Fans were given another hint of what to expect when Cohen made remarks as the recipient of the Principe de Asturias Prize for literature in Spain in October."As I grew older, I understood that instructions came with this voice. And the instructions were these...Never to lament casually. And if one is to express the great inevitable defeat that awaits us all, it must be done within the strict confines of dignity & beauty."The album by Leonard Cohen was produced with Patrick Leonard, Anjani Thomas, Ed Sanders and Dino Soldo. Complementing Cohen's signature baritone on Old Ideas are the exceptional vocalists Dana Glover, Sharon Robinson, The Webb Sisters (Hattie and Charley Webb) and Jennifer Warnes. The album's cover design and drawings are Cohen's own.
OLD IDEAS TRACK LISTING:Going HomeAmenShow Me The PlaceThe DarknessAnyhowCrazy To Love YouCome HealingBanjoLullabyDifferent SidesOld Ideas will be Cohen's twelfth studio album with Columbia Records since 1967.