| Author |
Topic: Jim Cohen CD Review |
Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
|
Posted 16 Nov 2012 9:07 am |
|
Note: this is written more for the average listener than for steelers.
CD Review
Pedal Steel Jazz
by Jim Cohen
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/jimcohen2
Playing jazz on the pedal steel guitar, with a few notable exceptions, is largely uncharted territory. Buddy Emmons groundbreaking 1963 release Steel Guitar Jazz set the bar (pun intended) high with his mixture of pungent single note soloing and rich chords. Over the years, Emmons became an even stronger jazz player as he incorporated a strong influence from Jazz guitarist Pat Martino.
Likewise, Doug Jernigan moved from playing lightening fast fiddle tunes to holding his own on complex Jazz tunes and standards, even sharing the studio with guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, a fixture of the New York Jazz and studio scene.
The pedal steel’s unique ability to sustain notes while other moving tones are raised or lowered has made it the signature sound of Nashville for fifty years. In Jazz these liquid sounds are less popular in favor of using the instrument’s ten-strings to play full, rich multi-string chords and staccato single notes. While steel guitar fans are thrilled by competent Jazz playing on their preferred instrument, critically speaking, there’s a fair argument to made that there’s been little pedal steel Jazz recorded to date that has profoundly influenced the music or truly matches the soul, swing and fluency of the best horn and piano players – an argument that to some extent, holds true for vibes and standard guitar. But the pedal steel does bring a totally unique flavor to the Jazz stew.
So, even conceiving the notion to record a Jazz steel record meant that Jim Cohen faced a certain kind of hill to climb and the good news is he climbs it with aplomb. Cohen has long had an active Western Swing band in the Philadelphia area and over the last few years has widened his harmonic chops via study with Jazz guitarist Jimmy Bruno. Bruno guests on the CD along with some of Philly’s best players including Frank Strauss, Steve Beskrone, Chico Huff, and Grant MacAvoy.
Cohen tackles a slew of standards like My Little Suede Shoes, Fly Me to The Moon, I’ll Remember April, tunes that would have been at home on any late ‘50s Jazz recording. On Jimbeaux's Blues, he’s joined by Maurice Anderson, Lucky Oceans, Randy Beavers, Buck Reid, Doug Jernigan & Chuck Campbell, six of the finest steelers around. While there’s nothing harmonically or melodically groundbreaking about this music it’s very pleasant, swinging, in the pocket, and listenable. Cohen’s single note playing is very melodic and unhurried but it’s when he exploits the instrument’s capacity for chordal playing that the music comes most alive in flurry’s of harmonized cascades that bring to mind the best chord solos of guitarist Wes Montgomery.
All in all this is a very enjoyable straight-ahead, “easy listening” jazz release from one of the best pedal steel players working today. |
|
|
 |
Bill McCloskey
|
Posted 16 Nov 2012 10:33 am
|
|
"All in all this is a very enjoyable straight-ahead, “easy listening” jazz release from one of the best pedal steel players working today."
Easy Listening?
Sounds like grounds for a libel suit.  |
|
|
|
Joe McHam
From:
Houston, TX * R.I.P.
|
Posted 19 Nov 2012 4:48 am Jim Cohen Jazz CD
|
|
I am sure enjoying Jim's new CD....keep up the great work Jim..
_________________
Houston, TX
Excel Superb S-12 8&5
Fender Princeton Amp.
Peavey Vegas Amp.
Casio PG-380 midi guitar
Ham Radio WA5OKT
Private Pilot SEL |
|
|
|
Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
|
Posted 19 Nov 2012 5:45 am
|
|
Thanks Andy and Joe! I appreciate it.
@Bill: Libel suit, nudie suit, what's the difference... I believe it was Oscar Wilde who said that the only thing worse than being talked about is... not being talked about! 
Thanks guys!
JC
_________________
www.JimCohen.com
www.RonstadtRevue.com
www.BeatsWalkin.com |
|
|
|
Buck Reid
From:
Nashville,TN
|
Posted 19 Nov 2012 5:19 pm
|
|
Jim, congrats on a fine recording and article. BTW... how do you know when you get good on one of those things?
_________________
www.BuckReid.com |
|
|
|
Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
|
|
|
|
Buck Reid
From:
Nashville,TN
|
Posted 19 Nov 2012 7:10 pm
|
|
Just being silly Jim. It's rhetorical. Kidding aside, it's a fantastic CD and I'm proud that you asked me to be a part of it!
_________________
www.BuckReid.com |
|
|
|
Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
|
|
|
|
Buck Reid
From:
Nashville,TN
|
Posted 20 Nov 2012 3:13 am
|
|
Jim, I actually had a guy walk up to me in a club several years ago and ask me that. Couldn't give him an answer.
_________________
www.BuckReid.com |
|
|
|
Quentin Hickey
From:
Nova Scotia, Canada
|
Posted 20 Nov 2012 3:59 am
|
|
I have this CD too and its really great. Loved hearinng Randy B, Buck, Reece and Doug in there too. Great work Jim and everyone else involved. Buck and Jim are technicans on the C6 neck!
Quentin |
|
|
|
Jerry Hedge
From:
Norwood Ohio U.S.A.
|
Posted 23 Nov 2012 8:00 pm
|
|
| Buck,I had a guy say the same thing to me a couple of months ago. I told him "When I find out I'll tell ya"!!! |
|
|
|
