Listening Booth

My most recent CD purchase, Listening Booth: 1970, is a release by Marc Cohn that consists of covers of popular songs from 1970. I am really loving this! I keep listening to it, over and over.

Not surprisingly, my favorite tracks are those songs that I especially loved by their original artists, like "Maybe I'm Amazed" (Paul McCartney), "Wild World" (The Artist Formerly Known as Cat Stevens), "The Only Living Boy in New York" (Paul Simon), and a few others. I don't think this set of covers falls into either of the usual traps: Cohn is not trying to reinvent the wheel nor is he simply mimicking the originals. Interestingly enough, he sounds exactly like Eric Clapton on "After Midnight," but it comes off as more of a tribute (with a slightly different ear toward production, including the addition of a piano) than a copycat.

I have always loved the rich, bluesy, soulful tone of Marc Cohn's voice, so it's not surprising that I'd like this collection but I do think he's done more than just sound nice on some old favorites. Even the (in my opinion) weaker tracks reveal a heart that's in the right place. I'm not sure that you can fully appreciate this collection if you're too much younger than I am, but we older folks can really enjoy it.

Let me know if you've heard this CD and what you think!

Update 9/21: I can't believe I forgot to include this photo of the CD:

Isn't that clever?

Comments

[Tonya]

I just downloaded it from iTunes. The 1970s was "my era" and what memories these bring back!

[Ellen Goldblatt Brover]

After watching the MTV Awards last night this is a refreshing find. While glad to learn I was not alone, most of the music sounded like it was from some other planet. I have an 8 year old, so maybe I'll become more with it, in the next few years. So far, not so much.

Hope the years have been good to you. I've been in So. FL 23 years. Time sure goes fast! Only have one son-- not bad, seeing as the plan was for none, but our lives have been changed in such a positive way.

[Kate]

I just downloaded this about a week ago. I love this album. I really liked his debut album. I bought his second CD and was completely and utterly disappointed so he sort of fell off my radar. My favorite is "Into the Mystic" - it's a great cover with a unique sound.

[jo]

I've always liked him so I heard wind a few weeks ago and downloaded a few of the tracks.
My latest addiction is the new Ray La Montagne "God Willing & the creek don't rise" - delicious!

[karen polinsky]

Our wedding song was "True Companion" from his self-titled album. I love it. His last one, Join the Parade, felt very Christian to me. I bet we'd really like his new one.