Track Listing

1. Listening To Levon
2. The Calling
3. Dance Back From the Grave
4. If I Were an Angel
5. Let Me Be Your Witness
6. Live Out the String
7. Giving Up the Ghost
8. Join the Parade
9. My Sanctuary
10. Life Goes On

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6988 in Music
• Released on: 2007-10-09
• Number of discs: 1

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

Greatest Hits

Marc Cohn

The Rainy Season

Burning the Daze

About the Artist
In the years that preceded the release of his new Decca album Join the Parade, Marc Cohn passed through several life-changing events. These events are what enabled him to reconnect with his songwriting muse, and they are in large part, what make Join the Parade an artistic, insightful and soulful statement.

Despite his time away from the recording studio, the acclaimed singer/songwriter, winner of the 1991 Grammy Award for Best New Artist, has continued to perform live and his audiences have remained steadfast. He en¬dured the pain of divorce, but in 2002 he married news anchor Elizabeth Vargas. He struggled with writer's block and sought to break through it with a month-long tour in the summer of 2005. The gigs went great until the night of August 7, 2005. That's when Marc Cohn was shot in the head during a random attempted carjacking after a concert in Denver.

Even though the bullet was lodged near his left temple, Marc never lost consciousness and walked out of the hospital the next day. Three weeks later, while recovering at home in New York from post-traumatic stress disorder, Cohn watched the city of New Orleans destroyed by flooding in the aftermath of Hurri¬cane Katrina.

"I got home a couple of days after being shot," said Cohn. "And then Hurricane Katrina hit a few weeks later. I'm in the middle of my own crisis, and now I'm watching all these haunting images on television of thousands of people suffering through a far more horrific event. And then something I never could have predicted happened. It was like my song writing receiver got flipped into the on position. Everywhere I turned, in conversations I overheard, even in get well emails I was receiving, song ideas started coming. For several weeks, I'd be working on 2-3 songs simultaneously. And these songs weren't polite about their sudden presence either; they insisted on being written."

Out of all this, and all that came before, comes Join the Parade, a recording that is being called Marc's most accomplished and compelling album to date. Cohn has translated some of his most complex and private emotions into lyrical song-poetry and then set those words to music of remarkable depth, toughness, and complexity. In doing so, Marc has created a work that is certain to touch a universal chord of memory and feeling. The music leads us on: Indeed, its deep grooves, layered textures, and soulful singing make this journey a sensual pleasure. Marc and album co-producer Charlie Sexton (Bob Dylan, Lucinda Williams) have enlisted an exceptional supporting cast that includes members of Cohn's road band (guitarist Shane Fontayne, drummer Jay Bellerose), top session players (drummers Jim Keltner and Charley Drayton, guitarist Danny Kortchmar), and such bold-face "name" guests as Tom Petty keyboard ace Benmont Tench and vocalists Shelby Lynne, N'Dea Davenport, and the Holmes

Customer Reviews

Yes, this is worth the ten-year wait
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.

He's back and better than ever.
Writing this as I listen to the album for the first time....

1. Listening To Levon

I love this song. The production on the album is so much clearer. You can hear the piano and Shane's guitar clearer. Great choice for a single.

2. The Calling

The wonderfully haunting start gives way to a gushing version of this staple Cohn tune. It literally rises and falls - you will know what I mean when you hear it. It feels like an ocean when you listen to it. I loved the original version - I simply adore this one without question. An idea, Marc should now revisit ALL his previous songs and re-record them!!!

3. Dance Back From The Grave

Sounds almost analogue-esk at the start - great atmosphere. Starts to build up. Like the effect on Marc's voice - makes it "flat" - not out of tune, but "flat". Now for the chorus. Nice subtle first chorus leading to a build up on the second. With Amy singing background? Go Shane! Great guitars. Thumping heartbeat drumming. Then dies down for the last verse. Effects going on galore. Horns going on in the final chorus. It's all kicking off. Stunning song when I first heard it, made even better by this production. Didn't think the production from the first album could get any better.

I am eating my words.

Nice horns at the end - almost sad?

4. If I Were An Angel

Some of the guitar prununciation on this tune is wonderful. Again, on this recorded version you can hear the guitars and instrumentation much better. The bass line in the chorus is funky-Cohn, to create a phrase! Still can't get that chorus out of my head - the falsetto...Love the tune and the ending is splendid.

4. Let Me Be Your Witness

Classic Cohn. I can see this being requested alot at concerts. Universal in its imagery and sentiments. The production on this is alot more simpler than those tunes reviewed so far and I like that this is the last song on this side of the CD (;-)) so it's a very nice relaxed end. I say releaxed, you don't realise how much the song builds up at the end to a wonderful climax.

6. Live Out The String

Been waiting for this one. Simple opening. Nice. Building up - there's that funky-Cohn baseline again...now the falsetto bridge. Liking it....Walking chorus, if that makes sense - the baseline just wants to make you get up and walk. And back down again and then up the chorus. This is one catchy tune. I am down on my knees already!

The middle works a treat. I think there is an angel on my shoulder at the moment. Like the music box effect after the middle eight. It sounds to me that Marc and Charlie Sexton have had a whole heap of fun producing this album.

7. Giving Up The Ghost

This should calms things down a bit! Very haunting - love the violin? Cello? The atmosphere is stunning. How does he do it? The pitch shreiks is gorgeous. I can see the Grammy's calling...Love the women singing backup - again, Amy? Or someone else. I have to say I think after a few listens this will become one of my favourite Cohn tunes. Reminds me a bit of Shawn Colvin's work, which is just lovely.

8. Join The Parade

I can tell I am going to like this. Different sounding from the other tunes - I think it's Marc voice. But I really like this. Really like this. Coming to chorus. Nice hook. Memorable "Please come and join the parade".

Nice guitar solo there. Just like the way the chorus builds up. Little gem of a song this one. Sounds like a chorus of voices there in the background. "Don't let it pass you by".

9. My Sanctuary

Piano in front on this one. Love the percussion on this, and the funky-Cohn bassline. Talk of the levee so another Katrina reference? Yep - makes sense the more you listen. Considering the subject matter this is uplifting - the instrumental interlude, with the horns, giving way to piano - almost bluesy piano. This song features some great lyrics. Take a listen. The ending, whilst I know it's coming just keeps building with a chorus of voices. "My Sanctuary, woah, woah". Almost makes one believe.

10 Life Goes On

Technically the final song on the album, although I will review You're A Shadow after this....

Ah, and calmness comes. Sad starting lyric, "without your father or mother, life goes on". How does he manage to grab your heart and tug at its strings.

Simple tune this one. Nice mention of Elvis there - I like the way he likens Elvis to Jesus! Oh yes, the more I hear of this one - this is another stunning Marc Cohn closing song - just like Companion, Handed Down and Elis Island. Wonderful instrumental. Now just down to piano. Stunning lyrics. I can see this being Marc's funeral song like Companion was the wedding song...

Stunning end to a stunning album. And I am not just saying that because it's Marc Cohn.

When you can, get hold of this album. I think it is his finest.

Shawn

SOULFUL, ROOTSY AND RAW - HIS FINEST YET ?
There are only a handful of artists who have, over the years, consistently given me a lot of listening pleasure, and MC is easily one of these. Now, I am not one for over-exaggeration but, these days, he only seems to produce a new studio album to coincide with the next sighting of Halley's Comet. However, this may be no bad thing - I'll settle for quality over quantity any day. Suffice to say that I'm very glad I came across MC when I first heard 'Walking In Memphis' over 15 years ago (yes, it really is that long ago - now, a distant memory of a time when I was solvent, and he had more hair than me); but enough of my nostalgic musings - what about this album ?


After almost a 10 year 'lay-off' since 'Burning the Daze', MC is back with his inimitable brand of rootsy pop-rock (but not so much of the 'pop' on this album).

THE SONGS : All are either written or co-written by MC. Most are slow to mid-tempo - exceptions being 'Live Out the String' and 'My Sanctuary'. As you would expect, the lyrics are 'top notch', covering such diverse themes as : regrets about lost loves and past relationships, the human impact of the Katrina tragedy, and his love for his family. A few of the melodies are not as immediately accessible as some on previous albums, nevertheless they are still pretty good; but it could be said that a couple of songs ('Dance Back From the Grave' and 'If I Were An Angel') are 'lighter on melody and heavier on groove'; whereas others ('The Calling', 'Let Me Be Your Witness' and 'Giving Up the Ghost') have a more 'classic' MC feel to them. Most of the songs are poignant, but not in that mellow-bittersweet style of songs like 'True Companion', 'The Things We've Handed Down' or 'Healing Hands'; and they are introspective - occasionally uplifting, often quite 'dark', but always moody and evocative. Also, they are songs from the heart - from a man who feels lucky to be alive (and he probably is !).

THE VOCALS : On this album, MC's smoky baritone voice has a more gravely 'lived in' texture (more noticeable on some tracks than others). I think his style is more soulful than on previous albums and his delivery has a 'simmering' emotional edge. The harmony and backing vocals further enhance the sound by lending a soulful and haunting quality to many tracks.

THE PRODUCTION : Charlie Sexton has replaced John Leventhal as co-producer and, whilst I miss the sumptuous layering of electric guitars and keyboards, that 'fuller' production sometimes had a tendency to detract from the songs themselves. Although this album doesn't return to the semi-acoustic piano-led music which featured prominently on MC's debut album (a slight disappointment for me), the production is somewhat 'leaner' than on 'Burning the Daze' but less subdued than on 'The Rainy Season'. The vocal/instrumental sound balance is fine for the most part but, at times, I thought the instrumental backing/percussion seemed too loud (too forward ?); for me, MC's first album still sets the benchmark for production excellence.

THE PLAYING : A wide range of instruments provide accompaniment : guitars (electric/National steel/acoustic/bass) and other stringed instruments, keyboards (piano, Hammond and Chamberlin), percussion, horns and cello; and, subject to my earlier qualification about 'sound balance', these complement (rather than compete with) MC's vocals. On 'Join the Parade', MC and his musicians are all 'coming from the same place' - the vocals and instrumental accompaniment are in unison to produce a cohesive sound. The band lay down some really interesting sounds too - just a few examples : the 'fluid funk' of the middle register guitar riffs on 'Dance Back From the Grave'; the simultaneous, yet contrasting drum rhythms on 'The Calling'; on a number of tracks, the deft keyboard playing (for example, just listen to the intro on the 'The Calling'); the eerie sounds of National steel and keyboards on 'Giving Up the Ghost'; or the overstrung piano on 'My Sanctuary' (in popular music, MC has got to be one of the best pianists around). Not to put it mildly, I thought the musicianship was quite exceptional.

All of these elements (songs, vocals, production and playing) combine to create an album which is highly sensuous - if, for any particular song, one of these fails to whet your appetite, the others almost certainly will.


Many fans will enjoy 'Join the Parade', you'd be hard pressed to find a much better set of studio performances than these; but for some, the sound might be a bit too raw; if you are looking forward to 'more of the same' from MC - particularly if you relate to his earlier music (such as the three songs already mentioned or more 'poppy' songs like 'Walking In Memphis', 'Silver Thunderbird' or 'Walk Through the World') - you could be disappointed. 'Join the Parade' is not an 'instant fix' album, the music here will fully engage the senses ONLY after repeated listenings. For casual listeners, don't expect a raft of catchy and polished 'radio friendly' tunes that you can switch onto with a first time listen (I would suggest the Greatest Hits compilation instead - an excellent choice for those who enjoy MC's music but who are not completists).

As one of the finest songwriters ever to walk this Earth, MC will always have a loyal fan base, regardless of how commercially successful his releases may be. I only hope it's not another 10 years before the next one - I might be 'pushing up the daisies' by then. Even my 'better half' likes MC - but I suspect that she will prefer his 'sweeter' style of old. I like almost anything MC does, but this album represents something of a departure for him so, unless you are a staunch 'cohnhead', a degree of caution is advisable before you decide to buy - the music samples adequately convey the overall sound but, not surprisingly, they are too short to do either the songs or the musicianship any justice.

A few minor reservations aside, in it's own right this is a very good album indeed and I just hope that it gets the recognition that it truly deserves. In my book, this is simply GOOD music - far better than some of the junk that finds it's way into the 'top twenty' these days; 4.5 stars.