X2: SONGS OF LOVE AND HATE & SONGS OF LE

Personnel: Leonard Cohen (acoustic guitar); Corlynn Hanney, Susan Mussmano (vocals); Ron Cornelius (acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Bubba Fowler (acoustic guitar, banjo); Charlie Daniels (acoustic guitar, fiddle); Bob Johnston (piano). Liner Note Author: Anthony DeCurtis. Recording information: Studio A, Nashville (1967); Trident Studios, London (1967); Studio A, Nashville (1968); Trident Studios, London (1968); Studio A, Nashville (1970); Trident Studios, London (1970). Photographers: David Gahr; Bob Cato; Leonard Cohen. This X2 set combines two of Leonard Cohen's early LPs, 1968's Songs of Leonard Cohen and 1971's Songs of Love and Hate, in a single package, and one can see his elegant, weary, and resigned take on love and life start to shift gently from a soft folk base to a more expansive and urbane one over the course of these two albums. Two bonus tracks, "Store Room" and "Blessed Is the Memory," have been added here to the 1968 album's track list, while an early version of "Dress Rehearsal Rag" has been added as a bonus track to the Songs of Love and Hate program. ~ Steve Leggett

• Genre: Rock and Pop
• Format: CD
• Released: 01/18/2011