This Thursday's edition of Folk Roots/Folk Branches will be a tribute to one of Montreal's favorite sons, poet/novelist/singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen, on the occasion of his 70th birthday (September 21).

My special guests will include Judy Collins, who has just released a CD of the Leonard Cohen songs (including three new recordings) that she has sung since introducing the world to "Suzanne" in 1966, and Perla Batalla, who sang on concert tours and recordings with Leonard before embarking on her acclaimed solo career. We'll hear songs from Judy's new CD and we'll have the world premiere of Perla's new CD of Leonard Cohen songs (to be released in 2005). We'll hear versions of Leonard's songs by other several other artists, including an exclusive, unreleased recording by Tom Russell. And, of course, we'll hear some of Leonard's own recordings.

Folk Roots/Folk Branches is heard Thursday mornings from 9:00-11:30 (Eastern) on CKUT, 90.3 FM, in Montreal. The live stream, and archives (available for two months after broadcast), are available from the Folk Roots/Folk Branches web site.

Mike Regenstreif