In celebration of what would have been Leonard Cohen‘s 83rd birthday, Sincerely, L. Cohen: A Live Celebration of Leonard Cohen, a new live album recorded at an emotional tribute show hosted at Brooklyn’s Music Hall of Williamsburg early this year, has been released. On January 24th, 2017, several weeks after Leonard Cohen‘s passing on November 7th, 2016, the people of New York honored the “Poet Prince of Montréal” with a special evening in Williamsburg featuring dozens of singers, songwriters, and musicians, including Richard Thompson, Josh Ritter, Will Sheff (Okkervil River), Amy Helm, Lee Ranaldo (Sonic Youth), Lenny Kaye (Patti Smith Group), Elvis Perkins, Holly Miranda, Joan As Police Woman, Delicate Steve, and many more.

The live album features highlight performances from this carefully constructed, expertly structured concert, which spanned over three hours in length. The concert and subsequent album was produced by Cohen fans Jesse Lauter (Tedeschi Trucks Band), Hannah Gold (City Winery Presents), and frequent Bob Weir collaborator Josh Kaufman. Kaufman led the evening’s house band, featuring first-rate New York-based musicians including Ray Rizzo (Drums – Yo Yo Ma), Walt Martin (Keys – The Walkmen), Annie Nero (Bass – Craig Finn), Stuart Bogie (Brass & Woodwinds – Arcade Fire), Nick Kinsey (Percussions – Kevin Morby), and Dave Harrington (Guitar – Darkside) and punctuated by a backing vocal trio that Cohen himself would have been proud of: Jocie Adams, Cassandra Jenkins and Leslie Mendelson.

Listen To 12 Beautiful Covers Of Leonard Cohen’s Music

In the album liner notes to this collection, music critic Justin Joffe writes, “Sincerely, L. Cohen: A Live Celebration of Leonard Cohen could have been a solemn affair. But all performers took the celebration part to heart, infusing Cohen’s most somber truths with equal parts reverence and reverie. The evening found a mix of New York icons, esteemed singer-songwriters, cult performers, and up-and-comers for a night of Cohen standards, stories and deep cuts.” Joffe continues, “Sentimental and scholarly, full of tearful singalongs and heartfelt remembrance, it was an evening Cohen would have appreciated.”

Posthumous Music Video Of Leonard Cohen Is Released [Watch]

A limited-edition double-vinyl run of 500 units is available for preorder now and will hit stores in time for the holidays. All proceeds from album sales will go to the Preemptive Love Coalition, a non-profit organization that aids children and families affected by terrorism and other crises in the Middle East across the globe.

The live album is available for streaming and download via the Royal Potato Family. Listen below:

SINCERELY, L. COHEN: A LIVE CELEBRATION OF LEONARD COHEN
Complete Tracklisting:

Hallelujah- Delicate Steve
Sisters of Mercy- Leslie Mendelson
Diamonds In The Mine- Osei Essed
I’m Your Man- Holly Miranda, Joan As Police Woman & Invisible Familiars
Chelsea Hotel #2- Josh Ritter
Hey, That’s No Way To Say Goodbye- Amy Helm
Is This What You Wanted- Elvis Perkins
Bird On The Wire- Richard Thompson
Story Of Isaac- Richard Thompson
Beautiful Losers- Lenny Kaye
Memories- Ian O’Neil (Deer Tick)
In My Secret Life- Cassandra Jenkins
Ballad of The Absent Mare- Teddy Thompson
Suzanne- Alana Amram
Famous Blue Raincoat- Lee Ranaldo
So Long, Marianne- Will Sheff & Friends