Search - Marc Cohn :: Join the Parade

Join the Parade
Marc Cohn
Join the Parade
Genres: Pop, Rock
 
  •  Track Listings (10) - Disc #1

GRAMMY® AWARD WINNER MARC COHN RETURNS WITH HIS FIRST STUDIO ALBUM IN NEARLY A DECADE MARC COHN Join The Parade It has been nearly a decade since American singer/songwriter Marc Cohn last released a studio album. It h...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Marc Cohn
Title: Join the Parade
Members Wishing: 7
Total Copies: 0
Label: Decca
Original Release Date: 1/1/2007
Re-Release Date: 10/9/2007
Genres: Pop, Rock
Style:
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 602517458109

Synopsis

Amazon.com
GRAMMY® AWARD WINNER MARC COHN RETURNS WITH HIS FIRST STUDIO ALBUM IN NEARLY A DECADE MARC COHN Join The Parade It has been nearly a decade since American singer/songwriter Marc Cohn last released a studio album. It has been fifteen years (1992) since he won the Grammy® Award for Best New Artist. Best known for his colossal hit "Walking In Memphis," Cohn returns with a new, passionate and poignant recording JOIN THE PARADE, to be released on October 9th. JOIN THE PARADE is the product of a personal journey. A recording of 10 songs that share a common theme woven from both Cohn's empathic observations after Hurricane Katrina and from a 2005 incident during which the singer found himself the victim of a carjacking in Denver, which left him with a gunshot wound to the head. JOIN THE PARADE is introspective. It is one man's look at the beauty of life through its fragility--spiritually moving and inspirational. Co-produced by long-time guitarist and Bob Dylan band member Charlie Sexton, the album was recorded over a period of a year both in New York, Los Angeles and Austin, Texas. JOIN THE PARADE is a long overdue album that serves to solidify Cohn's already well-known reputation as a great American songwriter. Marc Cohn Photo More from Marc Cohn
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Member CD Reviews

Ken M.
Reviewed on 4/2/2010...
I'm not one of Marc Cohn biggest fans but I have to say this is the best I've ever heard from him. This CD has great diversity of talent, and while Cohn has written interesting and inviting tunes, the real story for me was the arrangements, and the strength of the support talent he brought together to perform this audio feast. There are songs that I have gone back and listened to over and over again because the musicality and excellence of performance is just damn impressive. I think if you've ever liked anything Marc Cohn has done this work will renew your appreciation for one of the lesser applauded but significantly matured singer - song writers out there.

CD Reviews

Marc Who?
Jason Stein | San Diego, CA United States | 11/03/2007
(3 out of 5 stars)

"From the piano intro of "Walking In Memphis" during the summer of 1991 I became a Marc Cohn fan. Unlike the rest of these biased fans giving "Join The Parade" five star reviews, I felt with each successive release that Cohn lost the magic of his debut. Couple that with long gaps between albums, and this Grammy winner for Best New Artist has become a non-entity. When I talk about Marc Cohn, most people have no idea who I am talking about. I remind them of "Walking In Memphis", but it was so long ago, no one remembers it.



"Join The Parade" does nothing to restore Marc Cohn's reputation. There will be no hit singles. Few people will listen to this cd, and fewer people will even buy it. Does this mean the music is terrible? No. After repeatedly listening to the disc I found things that I liked, and like other reviewers here I agree that there aren't any bad songs on the disc. But, I'm not going to say that "Join The Parade" is Cohn's best album. I'm not going to say it's his most mature work. Every Cohn album is mature, and every Cohn album has good songs. "Join The Parade" is somewhat boring and dull when compared to his 1991 debut. On his debut, I felt what Marc was singing about. On "Join The Parade" I felt very little. Even with him singing about Katrina, love issues, his gunshot wound. I'd still rather listen to his 1991 debut instead. Or even 1993's "The Rainy Season". Both of those albums have more interesting arrangements to go along with his well written lyrics. The arrangements on "Join The Parade" are not as memorable. It's as if someone took Cohn and stripped him of his sense of melody.



Also, I couldn't help but feel Cohn sounded like other artists on "Join The Parade". I haven't felt that on his other three discs. For example, he completely sounds like Tom Waits on "Dance Back From The Grave" and Al Green on "If I Were An Angel". What happened? Marc could have been more original than to sound like two other famous artists. I can't pick any particular song to praise because all of the songs are done in a similar style, and while the first single "Listening To Levon" is somewhat memorable, I think "Live Out The String" or "Join The Parade" might have been better choices. "The Calling (Charlie Christian's Tune)" is another song that left a small impression. Anyone who says "Join The Parade" is the best is forgetting such great Cohn songs as "Silver Thunderbird", "Walking In Memphis", "True Companion", "Saving The Best For Last", "Ghost Train", "Strangers In A Car", "29 Ways", "The Things We've Handed Down", "She's Becoming Gold", "Don't Talk To Her At Night", "Miles Away", "Walk Through The World", "Rest For The Weary", "The Rainy Season", "Baby King", "Already Home", "Girl Of Mysterious Sorrow" and "Ellis Island".



I'm sure with time "Join The Parade" will find its place next to other Cohn albums, but I expected Cohn to coming roaring back with something to re-establish his name, put him at the top of his game, give him another Grammy, but this isn't it. It's three stars--average, not great, not bad, just average. I truly hope that it doesn't take another decade before Cohn releases another disc. I like him, I own all four of his albums, and I'd like to hear more, but next time why not take more chances musically and lyrically?"
Yes, this is worth the ten-year wait
R. Kyle | USA | 10/13/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've loved Marc Cohn's music since his Grammy winning self-titled CD came out 16 years ago. I've awaited each release and grabbed any various artist and B-side collection that I can get my hands on. In my opinion, "Join the Parade" is the best of his work so far.



There's any number of reasons why "Parade's" the best. Marc's paid a lot of dues along the way--he's faced the pain of divorce and joy of finding a new love, he's been shot and had to deal with the shock and fear of that attack, Hurricane Katrina tore away at the heart of the birthplace of much American music. His music's always come straight from the heart, but you can definitely hear the aches and points of grace even more strongly in these songs.



Second--there's not just his regular sidemen, but a parade of stars on this CD. Charlie Sexton (Bob Dylan's producer) co-produced with him. Amy Helm, Shelby Lynne, and the Holmes Brothers sing back-up--and that's just a glancing of the liner notes. The sessions happened all the way across the US from LA to New York over a year's time.



So, what can you expect? Pretty much the bluesy soulful groove you've heard before, but if possible some deeper lyrics and amazing musicianship. Each one of the 10 songs is remarkable--and having listened twice already, I can tell you there's no bad songs and it's hard to pick a favorite.



The first song, "Listening to Levon" is an apology to an old girlfriend who was baring her soul to him one night while Marc was listening to Levon Helms (The Band) on the radio:



Well, it serves me right

If you don't even hear me singing

If you tuned me out a long time ago

And it serves me right

If you've already changed the station

And you're listening now

To that old boy on the radio



He also talks about the car-jacking that left him with a bullet lodged in his head and a case of PTSD in "Live Out the String."



Who knows if we had angels on our shoulders?

That night with the devil in the street

Who knows if it means we've got more work to do



And yes, Cohn talks about Katrina. The most haunting song on the CD is the third--"Dance Back from the Grave".



Well, a thousand souls crossed over

And they were greeted by an all-star band

While the saints go marchin' in

There's still hell to pay back down in Dixieland

The storms are heading South again

And the hour is getting pretty late

Somebody better build that levee

It's already Mardi Gras at Heaven's gate



"Parade's" very much worth the price for old fans like me and I believe this offering will bring some new Cohnheads into the fold. While this is the best Cohn CD so far, don't neglect Marc's back pages--he's one of the best singer-songwriters in the business."