GREAT ALBUMS: FAMOUS BLUE RAINCOAT | Life | pentictonherald.ca

FAMOUS BLUE RAINCOAT

For those who admire the haunting poetry of Leonard Cohen, but don’t appreciate his singing voice, check out the 1986 tribute album Famous Blue Raincoat by Jennifer Warrens.

Praised by the likes of Rolling Stone, yet ignored by the Grammy Awards, Warrens reworks nine of Cohen’s songs -- none of which are the much-overplayed Hallelujah.

Warrens and co-producer C. Roscoe Beck avoided turning the project into a cliche by not selecting Coehn’s most recognizable songs. For those unfamiliar with the bulk of Cohen’s catalogue, it’s a great introduction to his music

First We Take Manhattan was written specially for the album and was the first single. The highlight by far is an eight-minute rendition of Joan of Arc which showcases the rich texture of Warrens’ vocals.

Featuring all-star cameos by Stevie Ray Vaughan, David Lindley and Cohen himself, it chartered much higher in Canada (No. 8) than the U.S., where it stalled at No. 57.

Warrens might be best remembered for her Oscar-winning duets from An Officer and a Gentleman and Dirty Dancing (she sang a third Oscar winner as well -- It Goes Like It Goes from Norma Rae), but this remains her finest hour.

Famous Blue Raincoat is available on all streaming services or can be ordered from your favourite music store.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is a new Wednesday feature highlighting classic rock albums that may have been overlooked the first time.

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