Photo Credit: Danny Clinch

Nathaniel Rateliff has conjured the spirit of Leonard Cohen by borrowing a track from his 1967 debut, the stripped-down stunner “Winter Lady.” In doing so, Rateliff strikes a sense of renewal and appreciation for the original artist and his expansive catalog of material, building off his already established legacy work: April 5 and 6 Cohen celebrations with the Colorado Symphony and a pair of Canadian follow-ups with a 40-piece orchestra.

Rateliff’s soft yet powerful interpretation of “Winter Lady” is propelled by the strum of his acoustic guitar,  which serves as a sonic compliment when paired with supple descriptors of Cohen’s traveling lover. The cover stretches just over the two-minute mark, with the poetic timing extending the song’s feeling beyond its compositional format, ringing like long-forgotten memories carefully tucked like a personal souvenir. 

Today’s Relix exclusive video premiere thoughtfully dropped ahead of Rateliff’s impending concerts, which will celebrate Cohen’s life and career. Tomorrow, April 5, and the next evening, the artist will participate in the Imagination Artist Series at Denver’s Boettcher Concert Hall, featuring both gigs featuring virtuosic folk musician and Rateliff collaborator Phil Cook. 

In continuation of Rateliff’s Cohen commemoration, he will travel to The Great White North for two follow-up appearances featuring a 40-piece Wordless Orchestra, beginning on April 20 at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto and ending after an April 22 concert at Salle Wilfrid Pelletier in Montreal. 

“Leonard Cohen is one of my favorite songwriters and given that he grew up in Canada, it only made sense to bring this show to Toronto and Montreal in addition to Colorado. Truly honored to celebrate his life and work with a 40-piece orchestra,” Rateliff said of the impending performances, previewed today via the musician’s adaptation of “Winter Lady.” Watch the studio-shot Relix-shared music video below.

Visit www.nathanielrateliff.com for tickets to the forthcoming Cohen tributes.