LEONARD COHEN HAS VOICE AND IDEAS THAT NEVER GET OLD NO MATTER WHAT THE AGE

Old Ideas
2012

599 Miles To Go

Love.

Lust.

Faith.

Forgiveness.

Redemption.

Mortality.

All are almost as ancient as man himself and Leonard Cohen puts each up for audio analysis on 2012's Old Ideas, his 12th studio collection.

In the opening Going Home, he describes himself as "a sportsman and a shepherd/He's a lazy bastard/Living in a suit."

The 78-year-old Canadian is also among the most decorated singer/songwriter/performers of any generation, including induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008. On this album's liner notes, he shows off his drawing abilities with a series of sketches, designs and notebook images to go with the lyrics.

Most of Old Ideas is presented with sparse instrumentation and Cohen's breathy delivery that is as much singing as poetry reading. A rotating flock of background angels swoop in throughout to hit all the hymnal high notes at just the right times.

The collection, his first since 2004's Dear Heather, is most fun when Cohen becomes the voice of Viagra singing the songs of Cialis - Show Me The Place, Anyhow, Crazy To Love You and Different Sides.

He's the smoothest talking silver-tongued and silver-haired devil of them all on Anyhow:

"I used up all my chances
And you'll never take me back
But there ain't no harm in asking
Could you cut me one more slack?

I'm naked and I'm filthy
And there's sweat upon my brow
And both of us are guilty
Anyhow."

I'm betting she says, "Yes."

Song For The Soundtrack: Darkness

Running Data For Tuesday, June 4:
3.86 Miles
42:59

Mileage In The Change Jar: 0.63 Miles