Live In London
by Leonard Cohen
  • Record Label: Sony
  • Release Date: Mar 31, 2009
Metascore
91

Universal acclaim - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. Mojo
    100
    Apart from the comprehensive compilation aspect and the rich live presence, this double CD also pauses to capture the remarkable way he welcomes 20,000 people to his fireside. [May 2009, p.98]
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  2. Hot Press
    100
    OAP releases best live album ever?
  3. MSN Consumer Guide (Robert Christgau)
    100
    The band is on it, the backup singers are solicitous, and Cohen's husk of a voice has been juiced up by the exercise.
  5. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    Live in London is a reminder that Cohen is as gifted a performer as he is a songwriter.
  6. musicOMH.com
    90
    The wry humour on display even extends to the setlist, with 'I Tried To Leave You' being the first song of the encore. It's little touches like that which make Live In London both the perfect souvenir for those who were there on the night and also a handy introduction to one of the true living legends of the music industry.
  7. AllMusic
    80
    Perhaps fate forced Leonard Cohen's hand to stage the tour documented in part on Live in London, but it seems that fate knows just what it's doing, and this album eloquently demonstrates how much Cohen still has to offer, and how clearly his music still speaks to him (and us).
  8. PopMatters
    80
    The London performance has yielded one of the finest live albums to come our way in a long while.
  9. Slant Magazine
    80
    London is by far Cohen's most generous live release, and if it tilts too heavily to the last two decades of his career, it compensates by including virtually all of the classics from the first three.
  10. Uncut
    80
    An uncommonly thoughtful victory lap, which deserves--and has received--a handsome recorded memorial.
  11. Billboard
    80
    Between tunes Cohen recites lyrics from the next song to be performed, and these 26 tunes, delivered in his steady rumbling baritone, may have never sounded better, certainly not in one place on one special night.
  12. cokemachineglow
    71
    Cohen manages to find the happy (and probably most obvious) middle ground between his spare origins and the sheen of his later work with light, jazzy instrumentation, with the songs stretched out to allow for several solos and interludes.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 45 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 39 out of 45
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 45
  3. Negative: 4 out of 45
  1. Ricko
    Feb 16, 2012
    6
    At over 2 hours long, this is really for the dedicated Cohen fans. You can't argue with the songwriting but as a live artist on this record heAt over 2 hours long, this is really for the dedicated Cohen fans. You can't argue with the songwriting but as a live artist on this record he lacks the energy you want to hear. His style is droll anyway and the live setting doesn't do much extra for him especially when it's such a long record. If your a fan of him anyway then you'll like it a lot otherwise it's tough going. Definitely not the place to get introduced to Leonard.… Full Review »
  2. JackL.
    Jan 20, 2010
    10
    In the waste land of contemporary performances Cohen's farewell tour reminds that music is art and can elevate us.
  3. Pierre-MichelF.
    Dec 16, 2009
    10
    Fantastic album and great "entry door" to the world of this awesome musicia for those who didn't know him. I can tell because I was one Fantastic album and great "entry door" to the world of this awesome musicia for those who didn't know him. I can tell because I was one of them! Thank you mister Cohen, I bow in respect.… Full Review »
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