Remove this CD from its case and you'll see behind it the grizzled, world-weary face of a tortured artist and poet.

And standing next to Bono, you'll see Leonard Cohen, a man who has for over 40 years been this continent's Yves Montand.

He lives just down the road, and you'll hear four other Montreal-bred voices (all members of the McGarrigle clan) on this live recording.

Yet, the two settings for Hal Willner's tribute to the poet and artist are in England and Australia, lands whose devotion to our own soft-spoken poet speak of his remarkable influence.

Those influenced include Nick Cave, Jarvis Cocker and The Handsome Family, all of whom turn in credible bass-heavy renditions of Cohen's material. Beth Orton, meanwhile, reveals that she turned into Marianne Faithfull so gradually we didn't even notice.

But the album's highlight comes from the precious Antony (he of the Johnsons), whose lilting alto instantly transforms Cohen's moody If it be Your Will into an other-worldly delight.

U2, meanwhile, takes the opposite approach, encouraging Lenny to actually sing in a lower register for a brooding rendition of Tower of Song.

Track Listing:

1. Tower Of Song - Martha Wainwright
2. Tonight Will Be Fine - Teddy Thompson
3. I'm Your Man - Nick Cave
4. Winter Lady - Martha Wainwright
5. Sisters Of Mercy - Beth Orton
6. Chelsea Hotel No.2 - Rufus Wainwright
7. If It Be Your Will - Antony
8. I Can't Forget - Jarvis Cocker
9. Famous Blue Raincoat - The Handsome Family
10. Bird On A Wire - Perla Batalla
11. Everybody Knows - Rufus Wainwright
12. The Traitor - Martha Wainwright
13. Suzanne - Perla Batalla
14. The Future - Teddy Thompson
15. Anthem - Perla Batalla
16. Tower Of Song - Leonard Cohen & U2