"Because of a few songs wherein I spoke of their mystery," theorizes Leonard Cohen, "women have been exceptionally kind to my old age."

That investment continues to pay dividends on Cohen's alluring Dear Heather, his superior followup to 2001's comeback disc Ten New Songs.

Produced with a trio of different female collaborators (including former backup vocalist Sharon Robinson and longtime engineer Leanne Ungar), these dozen new cuts find the 70-year-old vocalist in typically sombre form, ruminating on lost love and 9/11.

The musical support for his grave, gravelly musings is markedly improved this time, though.

Trading Ten New Songs' cheesey karaoke-bar synth-pop for understatedly pretty jazz, folk, blues and country arrangements, Cohen and a roster of living, breathing players invest these songs with a welcome earthiness, sincerity and depth. Smooth, seductive and soothing, Dear Heather should be enough to keep Cohen gratefully ensconced in the company of women well into his dotage.

Track Listing
1. Go No More A-Roving
2. Because Of
3. The Letters
4. Undertow
5. Morning Glory
6. On That Day
7. Villanelle For Our Time
8. There For You
9. Dear Heather
10. Nightingale
11. To A Teacher
12. The Faith
13. Tennessee Waltz - Live