Customer Reviews

Marc Cohn (Omr) (Mlps)

5 star:		(60)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This 1991 debut, by an artist whose seeming anachrony hadn't hurt his chances of getting a record deal in the 90's, shows that good taste really had not disappeared entirely. This 11-song extravaganza will not blow out your speakers; rather, it is meant to be enjoyed for its subtlety and grace

Cohn's voice is suave and gruff all in the same motion, and his piano rings forth strongly. The big hit (and hands down, the greatest track) is "Walking in Memphis", a slow and evocative piece that makes adult contemporary more muscular. But it doesn't end there. "Silver Thunderbird" is a track reminiscent of early Springsteen in the exuberance of an era long past. Cohn sings with passion on a lot of these songs undoubtedly culled from his life's experiences.

"Strangers in a Car" relies only on Cohn's solid piano and story-telling ability to bring a chill to the spine. "Ghost Train" is a Gospel-like tune with great backup singing and organ music.

The upbeat numbers don't detract from the mood, either. "Miles Away" and "Saving the Best For Last" offer less atmospherics and more commentary, with the latter giving one a heads up about the different characters you'd meet in New York City, if you found time to talk to a few; the former dealing with the funks we all get into sometimes. There's even a cover song, Willie Dixon's "29 Ways", with Cohn's pipe organ and unique back-up overdubs.

"Perfect Love" (with typical understated back-up singing by James Taylor) and "True Companion" are just flat-out wonderful love songs. The latter is especially touching, well-sung with a flourishing outro of an Irish bouzouki softly chanting out the finale.

Absolutely masterful production tops off this great first effort by a musician who still hasn't equalled this original effort. But it is one to savor, nonetheless.

I'm sure glad CDs don't wear out. Out of 300 or so CDs in my collection, this one gets the most play time. Marc offers a rich voice, great rhythms, and telling lyrics. You've probably heard Walking in Memphis, an upbeat song with an addictive melody. Marc's got more to offer than just catchy melodies. He's also a story-teller. I can't help but sing along with great songs like Silver Thunderbird, which reflects on his childhood and his relationship with his father. Looking for a love song? Marc offers True Companion, a very romantic song, which quickly grew into "our song" for my wife and I. If you're looking for an album with soul, music that feels good, and a good sing-along CD, then you should definitely add this CD to your collection.

Marc Cohn's soulful, rich voice is the perfect match for some of the most touching lyrics I have ever heard. Much of his lyrics are pure poetry, and yet never seem forced to fit the melody. "Walking in Memphis", is upbeat and uplifting and the piano is inspired. "Silver Thunderbird" is a page out of my own history - it was a Ford Falcon, but every other detail brought me back to being five years old again. I gave my father the single as a Christmas present and this gruff, former construction worker from the Bronx told me he cried like a baby the first time he played it. As did I, the first time I heard it, commuting over the Tappan Zee bridge. Cohn carves his lyrics out of true human universal experience in a way that few have. The song "True Companion" is another that strikes a true chord - not another sappy love song about "I'll love you forever", but rather a true expression of the kind of love that lasts a lifetime. If I married my husband again, it would be the perfect wedding song. This album would be a wonderful addition to any collection, and a thoughtful gift!

I know....you play the first track and people go, "Who is this singing, I always wanted to know?" This is Cohn's best album of the three. He combines smooth vocals and special appearances by James Taylor, with enough soul to let you know that you're not listening to James Taylor. Don't just put "Memphis" on repeat. In fact, I found the the other songs were my favorites. Especially "Silver Thunderbird" and "True Companion." Everyone is going to think of playing it at their wedding for the first dance. So buy the album and enjoy the whole thing. Trust me, you will.

Marc Cohn is a man out of time, but let us be thankful for that fact. He is a combination of all the best elements of Harry Chapin, Billy Joel and James Taylor, but doesn't come off as being purely derivative of these artists.

Barring the unusual cover of "29 Ways" there is not a single song on this album that is not a masterpiece. My personal favourite though is "Walk On Water", a truly glorious piece of music and heartfelt lyrics that is at least the equal of that other song about walking on this CD.

Cohn deservingly won the "Best New Artist" Grammy for this album, but surprisingly, apart from the top 20 "Walking In Memphis" never gained significant commercial success. "Silver Thunderbird" and "True Companion" made the lower end of the charts, and the album barely cracked the top 40. Subsequent releases have fared far less well than even this modest success, although they too are excellent albums.

Nevertheless if you miss the singer-songwriter years of the early 70s and like "Walking In Memphis" this album will not disappoint, and indeed will never stray too far from your CD player.

I, like most people, bought this album because of "Walking in Memphis" -- I even tried to find that track on a compilation so I wouldn't have to take a chance on an artist I was unfamiliar with.

That being a failed effort, I bought this, and I am nothing but pleased. What we've got here is Peter Gabriel meets Bruce Springsteen meets the Billy Joel you're embarrassed to admit you like.

"Ghost Train" is great, as is "True Companion," "Silver Thunderbird," and all the rest. It's really an unobtrusive, reliable album that can't disappoint -- if you like anything you've heard off of it, if you like Peter Gabriel, if you like Greg Brown, if you like any man who knows his way around a guitar and a piano, you're pretty much okay. Might as well go for it for twelve bucks.

I was quite pleased in 1992 when Cohn took home the Best New Artist Grammy. Then, like Tracy Chapman and Bruce Hornsby before him, he faded from memory. I've kept up with him though. I think of his three cds his debut is his best. Eleven songs that make up a memorable recording. A classic recording I think. From the opening "Walking in Memphis" to "Ghost Train", "Silver Thunderbird", "Miles Away", "Strangers in a Car", "29 Ways" and "True Companion." Marc Cohn shows he is a well trained musician with a knack for great pop songs. This is heard to a lesser extent on 1993's The Rainy Season and even lesser on 1998's Burning the Daze. Marc Cohn is a must have for any rock collector.

If one could debate on what be one of the top songwriter of all time, I'd pick Marc Cohn. His title album is one of the best that lists some of his best songs. His rich baritone voice uplifts the listener in his storytelling-type lyrics with all it's boldness wrapped up in every word. Anyone whose heard his top charting song "Walking in Memphis" knows the power of this epiphany of music history that's delivered to make a winning, memorable song. It's pop tune is embellished with elegant piano and sweeping gospel choir. There's not a dull song on this album. It's one of the very best. Every one has heart and depth that someone somewhere can be familiar with. "Silver Thunderbird" is one when we all can remember in the days we were young and took a ride in dad's old classic. Mine was a '57 blue & white Chevy. Other artists like Jo Dee Messina have recorded this song. "Perfect Love" and "True Companion" aren't just your average love song. They got grit as to what real love really is. "29 Ways" sounds like what inspired Paul Simon to write "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover." "Dig Down Deep" "Walk on Water" "Ghost Train" and "Miles Away" are beautifully crafted songs that are inspirational and contagious. Some may one day be classics. These will grow on you! This is Cohn best by far!

As legend tells it, afflicted with severe writers block, singer-songwriter Marc Cohn hopped a flight to Memphis in order to 'find some inspiration' - what followed was 'Walking In Memphis' and an outpouring of superb material that 12 years later still sounds utterly timeless. Listening to the luminous and richly textured songs that make up his self-titled album you sense that Cohn wanted to create a classic of his genre - music that demanded to be heard and that would never fade into obscurity.

I strongly believe he achieved this; words that spring to mind are indespensable, inspired and enduring.
I love alot of albums, but there are few that I treasure as much as this. Cohn is implicitly aware of the dynamics that make up a great song, of light and shade, mood, rythm and grand crescendos.
'Ghost Train' is one such example - it's a soulful and well crafted song that whets the appetite for the feast of songs yet to come. 'Silver Thunderbird' is stirring and nostalgic recounting a fathers love-affair with his machine - "...me I wanna go down in a silver Thunderbird". 'Dig Down Deep' revels in more earthy pleasures and is a soulful and sensual delight, while the awesome piano-driven 'Walk on Water' has a stormy, eletric atmosphere - you can hear the black clouds rolling in as Cohn's voice accumulates intensity. Frankly, I could choose any of the equally impressive 11 tracks to rave about such is the consistency of the material. This is an album well worth taking the time to get to know.

This is a beautiful CD and the songwriting is superb. The lyrics at times remind me of Paul Simon and other times of Don McClean (Vincent, Starry Starry Night) but the music is very distinctive. It is not rock and roll and not country - closer to r& b but not really r & b either. Cohn's voice is deep and marvelous. There is not a bad or even a mediocre song on the whole CD. You'll leave it in your rotation for weeks at a time and it won't 'get old'. Can't go wrong buying this one.