The most senior of the seniors in this column, Leonard Cohen is the true definition of someone who gets better with age. You Want It Darker (Columbia), produced by Cohen's son Adam, is nothing less than a religious experience, opening with the title cut, in which the Congregation Baar Hashomayim Synagogue Choir sings "Hineni Hineni/I'm ready, my Lord." Hineni translates from Hebrew as "Here I am." There is water into wine in "Treaty," an angel and a devil in "On the Level," and turning the other cheek and grace in "It Seemed the Better Way." There is also a timeless love song ("If I Didn't Have Your Love") and useful advice ("Steer Your Way," featuring Alison Kraus and Dana Glover on backing vocals). If you pray, pray that there is still more to come from Cohen.
Neil Sedaka started his songwriting and recording career a few years before Cohen, making his name as one of the songwriters housed in the legendary Brill Building. Like Cohen, Sedaka achieved massive success by having his songs recorded by others. Interestingly, Sedaka's greatest professional triumph occurred during what could be considered a second-stage resurgence. After experiencing acclaim overseas, Sedaka was signed to Elton John's Rocket Records label, resulting in the 1975 album Sedaka's Back . The album included the comeback single "Laughter in the Rain," as well as the Captain & Tennille hit "Love Will Keep Us Together." So began Sedaka's return to the limelight. More than 40 years later, Sedaka is back again, with the uneven I Do It for the Applause (neilsedaka.com). Ill-fitting dentures aside, Sedaka accompanies himself on a dozen songs recorded between 2010-15. Tunes such as "Tonight We Gotta Call It a Day," "Distant Memories" and the uplifting "Nothing Is Impossible" show that he can still write and sing. "Super Hottie," the unintentionally gayest song Sedaka has ever written (in the voice of a woman), includes the line "Your Speedos are showing your desire," which tells you all you need to know.
By teaming up with the young musicians Rosie Bones and Carmen Vandenberg on his new album Loud Hailer (Atco), rock guitar god Jeff Beck freshens up his vintage sound, still metal-loud and as bluesy as all get out. But the youthful female energy provided by Bones and Vandenberg has a lively effect on Beck. The best examples can be found on "Live in the Dark," "Shrine" and "The Ballad of the Jersey Wives."
The last surviving brother Gibb, or Bee Gee if you prefer, Barry Gibb has released In the Now (Columbia), his first solo album in many years. A musical collaborator throughout most of his career, Gibb worked closely with sons Stephen and Ashley on the album's 12 tracks. Many numbers wouldn't have been out of place on a Bee Gees album, including "Star Crossed Lovers" and "Meaning of the Word." But songs where Gibb attempts to unleash his inner rocker �" "Grand Illusion," "Blowin' a Fuse" �" are embarrassing misfires. Gibb brings the disc to a close with the country-tinged heartbreaker "End of the Rainbow," dedicated to his late brothers Robin, Maurice and Andy.
Heart's Beautiful Broken (Concord) finds the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson, re-imagining deep album cuts and performing three new tunes, including the Ne-Yo song "Two," featuring Nancy on vocals. Other standouts include "Sweet Darlin'" and "Heaven."
Stephen Bishop has had success as a songwriter for others and a performer of his own songs. His debut album Careless , released 40 years ago, contained his hit single "On and On" and his renditions of songs covered by artists Phoebe Snow ("Never Letting Go"), Barbra Streisand ("One More Night") and Art Garfunkel ("The Same Old Tears on a New Background"). It's interesting that he should open Blueprint (General Records), his first studio album in two years, with a cover tune. It's the wonderful "Everyone's Gone to the Moon," and Bishop does a lovely rendition. The other cover song, "It Might Be You," is a remake of his 1982 hit (written by Alan & Marilyn Bergman) from the movie Tootsie. Among the recommended original numbers are "Holy Mother" (co-written with Eric Clapton) and "Before Nightfall."