The mystic aura that surrounds Leonard Cohen began back in the late '60s when he released a string of Columbia albums that generated so many great songs. Songs like "So Long, Marianne," "Bird On The Wire," and "Suzanne" filled our collective minds with emotional gems. Cohen weaved in and out with great albums but after a time, retired to peace. A mischief brought Cohen back into our presence some years back with the exemplary 10 New Songs, followed by Dear Heather, itself followed by an extraordinary bonding experience when he took his show on the road in an unmatched "hours-long" string of shows that began in 2008 and continues as of this writing.

Songs From The Road sidles up to the previously released Live In London set but explores the Leonard Cohen travels with a series of visitations from several different performances at several different venues and settings that include a "Hallelujah" cut from his well-received 2009 Coachella Music Festival appearance.

The CD and the DVD share the same song track-listing. With selections that are taken from around the world at various stops, the music that emanates from this set is nothing short of an incredible experience. While the CD is wonderful to have from Songs From the Road, to enjoy during your travels, it is the DVD that offers the most. With crystal-clear video, and 2.0/5.1 audio, the DVD inclusion of this set will leave you with a feeling of something you can't quite explain. What this amounts to is an experience that you may never have again as the Leonard Cohen tour is easily one of the decade's best sets of shows. Songs From The Road is a keepsake for those that have had the pleasure of attending one of Cohen's shows. For those that were not fortunate, Songs From The Road serve as a glimpse into greatness, a hallowed assembly of time and music that will be essential playback from time to time. And while you do not get the pleasure of hearing - or seeing - the Webb sisters work with "If It Be Your Will" (it is a highlight of the show), nor the solo vocal beauty of Sharon Robinson, you'll not be disappointed by this set. This current cycle of bright-shining brilliance has not completed as Leonard Cohen hasn't yet finished. He runs on his own energy and it appears as if that power grid has yet to deplete.

The 12-page booklet contains a descriptive 3-page essay written by Leon Wieseltier, along with a few great photo shots, and a track-list that offers track-by-track notations from the producer of this CD/DVD set, Ed Sanders. Everything is housed in an oversized, tri-folded, wallet-like digipak that visually demands your attention. In short, do not leave this set behind. It's a priceless addition to your library, especially true for Leonard Cohen fans.