Famous Blue Raincoat (album)
Encyclopedia
Famous Blue Raincoat is the sixth album by Jennifer Warnes
. It debuted on the Billboard 200
on February 14, 1987 and peaked at No. 72. Originally released by Cypress Records
, it was reissued by Private Music
after Cypress went out of business.
Released in January 1987, Famous Blue Raincoat is a tribute
to Leonard Cohen
, with whom Warnes had toured as a backup singer in the 1970s. The album's songs span much of Cohen's career, from his 1969 album Songs from a Room
to his 1984 album Various Positions
(on which Warnes sang), and even two tracks from Cohen's then-unreleased album I'm Your Man.
Guest contributors include guitarists Stevie Ray Vaughan
, David Lindley
and Robben Ford
, drummer Vinnie Colaiuta
, keyboardist Russell Ferrante
, arranger Van Dyke Parks
and Cohen himself duetting on "Joan of Arc."
The liner notes
include a cartoon by Cohen of a torch being passed with the caption, "Jenny Sings Lenny."
The album is the first record produced by Roscoe Beck
. In August 2007, a remastered and expanded 20th anniversary edition was released.
except where noted.
Additional tracks on 20th anniversary reissue
Jennifer Warnes
Jennifer Jean Warnes is an American singer, songwriter, arranger and record producer. She is known for her interpretations of compositions written by herself and many others, as well as an extensive playlist as a vocalist on movie soundtracks.Between 1979 and 1987 Warnes surpassed Frank Sinatra as...
. It debuted on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
on February 14, 1987 and peaked at No. 72. Originally released by Cypress Records
Cypress Records
Cypress Records is a record label which was distributed by A&M Records between 1988 and 1990.-External links:* Label history, artist roster, Billboard performance.*...
, it was reissued by Private Music
Private Music
Private Music is a United States record company founded in 1984 by experimental musician Peter Baumann, as a home for instrumental music. Initially signing such artists as Yanni, Suzanne Ciani, Patrick O'Hearn, and Baumann's former bandmates Tangerine Dream, the record label specialized in New Age...
after Cypress went out of business.
Released in January 1987, Famous Blue Raincoat is a tribute
Tribute album
A tribute album is a recorded collection of cover versions of songs or instrumental compositions. Its concept may be either various artists making a tribute to a single artist, a single artist making a tribute to various artists, or a single artist making a tribute to another single artist.There...
to Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen
Leonard Norman Cohen, is a Canadian singer-songwriter, musician, poet and novelist. Cohen published his first book of poetry in Montreal in 1956 and his first novel in 1963. His work often explores religion, isolation, sexuality and interpersonal relationships...
, with whom Warnes had toured as a backup singer in the 1970s. The album's songs span much of Cohen's career, from his 1969 album Songs from a Room
Songs from a Room
Songs from a Room is the second album of Canadian musician Leonard Cohen, released in 1969. It reached #63 on the Billboard list and #2 at UK charts....
to his 1984 album Various Positions
Various Positions
Various Positions, the seventh studio album by Leonard Cohen, was released in December 1984 . It marked not only Cohen's turn to the modern sound and use of synthesizers , but also - after her work on harmonies and background vocals on the previous Recent Songs - an even greater contribution from...
(on which Warnes sang), and even two tracks from Cohen's then-unreleased album I'm Your Man.
Guest contributors include guitarists Stevie Ray Vaughan
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Stephen Ray "Stevie Ray" Vaughan was an American electric blues guitarist and singer. He was the younger brother of Jimmie Vaughan and frontman for Double Trouble, a band that included bassist Tommy Shannon and drummer Chris Layton. Born in Dallas, Vaughan moved to Austin at the age of 17 and...
, David Lindley
David Lindley (musician)
David Perry Lindley is an American musician who is notable for his work with Jackson Browne, Warren Zevon, and other rock musicians. He has worked extensively in other genres as well, performing with artists as varied as Curtis Mayfield and Dolly Parton...
and Robben Ford
Robben Ford
Robben Ford is an American blues, jazz and rock guitarist.-Biography:Ford was born in Woodlake, California, United States, but raised in Ukiah, California, and began playing the saxophone at age 10, picking up the guitar at age 13...
, drummer Vinnie Colaiuta
Vinnie Colaiuta
Vincent Colaiuta is an American drummer based in Los Angeles. Originally from Republic, Pennsylvania, he began playing drums as a child and received his first full drum kit from his parents at the age of 14...
, keyboardist Russell Ferrante
Russell Ferrante
Russell Keith Ferrante is a jazz pianist from San Jose, California who is a founding member of the group Yellowjackets. During his early career, Ferrante performed with American blues singer Jimmy Witherspoon and guitarist Robben Ford. He also toured with Joni Mitchell. The group Yellowjackets...
, arranger Van Dyke Parks
Van Dyke Parks
Van Dyke Parks is an American composer, arranger, producer, musician, singer, author and actor. Parks is perhaps best known for his contributions as a lyricist on the Beach Boys album Smile....
and Cohen himself duetting on "Joan of Arc."
The liner notes
Liner notes
Liner notes are the writings found in booklets which come inserted into the compact disc jewel case or the equivalent packaging for vinyl records and cassettes.-Origin:...
include a cartoon by Cohen of a torch being passed with the caption, "Jenny Sings Lenny."
The album is the first record produced by Roscoe Beck
Roscoe Beck
Roscoe Beck is a multi-Grammy Award winning record producer and bassist. He has recorded and played with Robben Ford, Eric Johnson, Leonard Cohen, The Dixie Chicks. He also has his own signature electric bass: the Fender Roscoe Beck Bass, used by many other players.After earning a reputation from...
. In August 2007, a remastered and expanded 20th anniversary edition was released.
Track listing
All songs written by Leonard CohenLeonard Cohen
Leonard Norman Cohen, is a Canadian singer-songwriter, musician, poet and novelist. Cohen published his first book of poetry in Montreal in 1956 and his first novel in 1963. His work often explores religion, isolation, sexuality and interpersonal relationships...
except where noted.
- "First We Take ManhattanFirst We Take Manhattan"First We Take Manhattan" is a song written by Leonard Cohen. It was originally recorded by Jennifer Warnes on her 1987 album Famous Blue Raincoat, which consisted entirely of songs written or co-written by Cohen.-Background and writing:...
" – 3:47 - "Bird on a WireBird on the Wire"Bird on the Wire" is one of Leonard Cohen's signature songs. It was recorded 26 September 1968 in Nashville and included on his 1969 album Songs from a Room. A May 1968 recording produced by David Crosby, entitled "Like a Bird", was added to the 2007 remastered CD...
" – 4:42 - "Famous Blue RaincoatFamous Blue Raincoat"Famous Blue Raincoat" is a song by Leonard Cohen. It is the sixth track on his third album, Songs of Love and Hate, released in 1971.-Summary:...
" – 5:33 - "Joan of ArcJoan of Arc (Leonard Cohen song)"Joan of Arc" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen. It was released as a single in March 1971 from his third album, Songs of Love and Hate...
" – 7:57 - "Ain't No Cure for LoveAin't No Cure For Love"Ain't No Cure for Love" is a pop song by Canadian singer/songwriter Leonard Cohen. It was first released by Jennifer Warnes on her 1987 tribute album Famous Blue Raincoat....
" – 3:21 - "Coming Back to You" – 3:43
- "Song of BernadetteThe Song of Bernadette (song)Written by Leonard Cohen, Bill Elliott and Jennifer Warnes,"Song of Bernadette", is a song first recorded by Jennifer Warnes from her 1986 album Famous Blue Raincoat.The song was later covered by Bette Midler and opened her album Bathhouse Betty....
" – 3:55 (Jennifer WarnesJennifer WarnesJennifer Jean Warnes is an American singer, songwriter, arranger and record producer. She is known for her interpretations of compositions written by herself and many others, as well as an extensive playlist as a vocalist on movie soundtracks.Between 1979 and 1987 Warnes surpassed Frank Sinatra as...
, Bill Elliott, Cohen) - "A Singer Must Die" – 4:52
- "Came So Far for Beauty" – 3:37 (Cohen, John Lissauer)
Additional tracks on 20th anniversary reissue
- "Night Comes On"
- "Ballad of the Runaway Horse"
- "If It Be Your Will"
- "Joan of Arc" (Live in Antwerp, Belgium, 1992)
Personnel
- Jennifer Warnes – vocals, harmony vocals
- Leonard CohenLeonard CohenLeonard Norman Cohen, is a Canadian singer-songwriter, musician, poet and novelist. Cohen published his first book of poetry in Montreal in 1956 and his first novel in 1963. His work often explores religion, isolation, sexuality and interpersonal relationships...
– vocals (on "Joan of Arc"), sketches - Roscoe BeckRoscoe BeckRoscoe Beck is a multi-Grammy Award winning record producer and bassist. He has recorded and played with Robben Ford, Eric Johnson, Leonard Cohen, The Dixie Chicks. He also has his own signature electric bass: the Fender Roscoe Beck Bass, used by many other players.After earning a reputation from...
– bass, fretless bass, synthesizer, guitar - Larry Brown – tambourine, shakers
- William D. "Smitty" Smith – synthesizer, Hammond organ
- Jorge CalderónJorge CalderónJorge Calderón, originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and record producer best known for his collaborations with Warren Zevon. He holds the unique distinction of having been credited on all of Zevon's post-1976 albums with the exception of My Ride's Here...
– bass - Lenny CastroLenny CastroLenny Castro is an American freelancing percussionist in the studio recording industry in the Los Angeles area.-Early life:Castro is a percussionist of Puerto Rican descent and was born and raised in New York City. His father, Hector Castro, played the keyboard in a Latin style and gave his son...
– percussion - Gary Chang – synthesizer, programming, synthesizer arrangements
- Vinnie ColaiutaVinnie ColaiutaVincent Colaiuta is an American drummer based in Los Angeles. Originally from Republic, Pennsylvania, he began playing drums as a child and received his first full drum kit from his parents at the age of 14...
– drums - Larry Corbett – cello
- Russell FerranteRussell FerranteRussell Keith Ferrante is a jazz pianist from San Jose, California who is a founding member of the group Yellowjackets. During his early career, Ferrante performed with American blues singer Jimmy Witherspoon and guitarist Robben Ford. He also toured with Joni Mitchell. The group Yellowjackets...
– piano, synthesizer - Richard Feves – bass
- Robben FordRobben FordRobben Ford is an American blues, jazz and rock guitarist.-Biography:Ford was born in Woodlake, California, United States, but raised in Ukiah, California, and began playing the saxophone at age 10, picking up the guitar at age 13...
– guitar - Van Dyke ParksVan Dyke ParksVan Dyke Parks is an American composer, arranger, producer, musician, singer, author and actor. Parks is perhaps best known for his contributions as a lyricist on the Beach Boys album Smile....
– synthesizer, accordion, arranger - Michael LandauMichael LandauMichael Landau is a prolific session musician and guitarist who has played on a large number of albums since the early 1980s with artists as varied as Seal, James Taylor, Helen Watson, Richard Marx, Steve Perry, Pink Floyd and Miles Davis...
– guitar - David LindleyDavid Lindley (musician)David Perry Lindley is an American musician who is notable for his work with Jackson Browne, Warren Zevon, and other rock musicians. He has worked extensively in other genres as well, performing with artists as varied as Curtis Mayfield and Dolly Parton...
– lap steel guitar - Fred TackettFred TackettFred Tackett, an American native of Arkansas, is an accomplished songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Originally a session player on guitar, mandolin, and trumpet, he is best known for his longevity as a member of the band Little Feat....
– guitar - Stevie Ray VaughanStevie Ray VaughanStephen Ray "Stevie Ray" Vaughan was an American electric blues guitarist and singer. He was the younger brother of Jimmie Vaughan and frontman for Double Trouble, a band that included bassist Tommy Shannon and drummer Chris Layton. Born in Dallas, Vaughan moved to Austin at the age of 17 and...
– guitar - Steve Forman – percussion
- Bill Ginn – synthesizer, piano, percussion, arranger, conductor
- Kal David – background vocals
- George Ball – background vocals
- Terry Evans – background vocals
- Willie Green, Jr. – background vocals
- William "Bill" Greene – background vocals
- Bobby KingBobby KingBobby King is an American gospel-style, R&B and soul singer. He formed a singing duo with Terry Evans in the early 1970s. Since 1973, King has sung on most Ry Cooder albums. He was also the lead backing vocalist in Bruce Springsteen's Human Touch tour band of 1992-93...
– background vocals - Arnold McCuller – background vocals
- Joseph Powell – background vocals
- David LasleyDavid LasleyDavid Lasley is an American singer-songwriter, best known for his contributions as a background singer for such artists as Bonnie Raitt, James Taylor and Luther Vandross....
– background vocals - Tim Stone – background vocals
- Greg Prestopino – background vocals
- Sharon RobinsonSharon RobinsonSharon Robinson is an American songwriter, record producer, and vocalist. She is best known as a frequent writing collaborator with Leonard Cohen, although she has written songs for a number of other artists as well, including Aaron Neville, Diana Ross, Don Henley, Randy Crawford, Roberta Flack,...
– background vocals - Reverend Dave Boruff – saxophone
- Paul Ostermayer – tenor saxophone
- Novi NovogNovi NovogNovi Novog, born in North Hollywood, California is an American viola player. She is sometimes simply credited as "Novi" and is the cousin of Lauren Wood .-Albums :...
– viola - Suzie Katayama – cello
- Sid PageSid PageSid Page is an American based violin player who has been playing since the late 1960s. He became a member of Dan Hicks & The Hotlicks replacing violinist David LaFlamme...
– violin - Barbara Porter – violin
Additional personnel
- Engineers – Csaba Petocz, Tim Boyle, Steven Strassman, Paul Brown, Larry Brown, Frank Wolf
- Assistant engineers – Jeff Park, Nyya Lark, Terry Dunavan, Ken Fowler, Dan Reed, Sharon Rice, Garth Richardson, Duane Seykora, Russ Bracher, Joel Stoner
- Mixing – George MassenburgGeorge MassenburgGeorge Y. Massenburg is a recording engineer and inventor. Working principally in Baltimore, Los Angeles, Nashville, and Macon, Georgia, Massenburg is widely known for his 1972 paper on the parametric equalizer.-Background:...
, Larry Brown, Frank Wolf, Billy Youdelman - Programming – Chuck Barth, Todd Yyega
- Art Direction – Jennifer Warnes, Leslie Wintner
- Reissue design – Patricia Bukur