Norah Jones transforms later-years Leonard Cohen track “Steer Your Way” into a hazy dreamscape on her selection from the forthcoming all-star tribute to the legendary songwriter, Here It Is. The album, produced by Larry Klein, is due out via Blue Note Records on October 14th. Previously released singles include James Taylor‘s version of “Coming Back To You” and Nathaniel Rateliff‘s rendition of “Famous Blue Raincoat”.
Norah and the formidable Here It Is house band splash deep sonic hues on a canvas that Cohen left characteristically sparse, adding new layers of depth to the sagely image it depicts. “I loved singing this song because it’s a newer one but has all the best qualities of some of his older classic songs,” Jones said of her selection from Cohen’s vast catalog.
Watch the Lauren Gregory-directed visualizer video for “Steer Your Way” as told by Norah Jones from the forthcoming Leonard Cohen tribute album below. Stream the track on the platform of your choice here.
Norah Jones – “Steer Your Way” (Leonard Cohen) – Official Visualizer
[Video: Blue Note Records]
Here It Is also includes contributions from Peter Gabriel, Gregory Porter, Sarah McLachlan, Luciana Souza, Iggy Pop, Mavis Staples, and David Gray. The vocalists are accompanied by an exceptional band featuring saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins, guitarist Bill Frisell, pedal steel guitarist Greg Liesz, pianist Kevin Hays, organist Larry Goldings, bassist Scott Colley, and drummer Nate Smith.
“Leonard Cohen had been a friend since 1982 or so, and in the last 15 years of his life, he became a close friend,” Klein explained in a press release. “He was possibly the wisest and funniest friend that I had, and someone that I enjoyed, immensely, in every way. After he passed away, I found myself frequently covering his songs with other artists that I was working with. One reason, of course, is that the songs are so good, but the other reason was that it helped keep him in the air around me.”
“It was an immensely gratifying experience to recontextualize these poems, and shine a different light on them,” Klein added. “I hope that this musical language that we developed together, the context that we put these things in, makes the songs connect with people in a new way.”
Pre-order all-star Leonard Cohen tribute album Here It Is on D2C exclusive color vinyl, black vinyl, CD, or digital download here. See below for the complete tracklist.