Live at the Isle of Wight 1970 cover

Live at the Isle of Wight 1970

Leonard Cohen · 2009

79 min · 35 tracks · blues · folk rock · pop rock

Intimate and haunting, Cohen's gravelly voice weaves through poignant lyrics amidst a backdrop of acoustic instrumentation.

Why this album works

This album is significant as it revitalized interest in Cohen's work, showcasing his poetic prowess and emotional depth to a new generation. It was met with positive critical reception, highlighting its historical importance as part of the Isle of Wight Festival, which featured a plethora of iconic artists. The album's release also contributed to Cohen's legacy, reinforcing his status as a profound lyricist in contemporary music.
Best for
intimate late-night listening experience poignant storytelling through performance wave-like emotional fluctuations
Context
Released in 2009, 'Live at the Isle of Wight 1970' showcases Leonard Cohen during a pivotal era as he transitioned from his early folk roots to broader acclaim. This album captures a live performance that had been largely unreleased for decades, marking an important moment in rediscovering his artistry after years of steady growth following albums like 'Songs of Leonard Cohen' (1967) and 'Songs from a Room' (1969).

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

Disc 1

  • 1 Introduction 3:05
  • 2 Bird on the Wire Standout 4:15
  • 3 Intro to So Long, Marianne 0:15
  • 4 So Long, Marianne Standout 7:07
  • 5 Intro: “Let’s Renew Ourselves Now…” 0:51
  • 6 You Know Who I Am 3:58
  • 7 Intro to Poems 0:29
  • 8 Lady Midnight 3:37
  • 9 They Locked Up a Man (Poem) / A Person Who Eats Meat / Intro 1:59
  • 10 One of Us Cannot Be Wrong 4:54
  • 11 The Stranger Song 6:47
  • 12 Tonight Will Be Fine 6:39
  • 13 Hey, That’s No Way to Say Goodbye 3:34
  • 14 Diamonds in the Mine 5:22
  • 15 Suzanne 4:26
  • 16 Sing Another Song, Boys 6:31
  • 17 The Partisan 5:13
  • 18 Famous Blue Raincoat Standout 6:15
  • 19 Seems So Long Ago, Nancy 4:18

Disc 2

  • 1 Intro: Diamonds in the Mine
  • 2 Famous Blue Raincoat Standout
  • 3 “It’s a Large Nation”
  • 4 Bird on the Wire Standout
  • 5 One of Us Cannot Be Wrong
  • 6 The Stranger Song
  • 7 Tonight Will Be Fine
  • 8 “They’ve Surrounded the Island”
  • 9 Hey, That’s No Way to Say Goodbye
  • 10 Sing Another Song, Boys
  • 11 Judy Collins Introduces Suzanne
  • 12 Suzanne
  • 13 Joan Baez - Confronting Festival Violence
  • 14 The Partisan
  • 15 Seems So Long Ago, Nancy
  • 16 Credits: So Long, Marianne

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata