Marc Cohn

Marc Cohn | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 12, 1991)
• Original Release Date: February 12, 1991
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Atlantic
• ASIN: B000002IQI
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (79 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,433 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

CD

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Acoustic music that harkens back to singer/songwriter era!, January 4, 2001

By 

Gary Gardner "Your resident dillettante" (Ellsworth, ME United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Marc Cohn (Audio CD)

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.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This CD will move you...rich voice, great melodies, and soul, May 9, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Marc Cohn (Audio CD)

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.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A touch of heart, March 18, 2001

By 

Shannon Craven "bottlegenie" (Upstate, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Marc Cohn (Audio CD)

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!