Mark Cohn
I was probably one of the few music fans on the board who didn't go see Keb Mo last night, because I had tickets to the Mark Cohn/Suzanne Vega show at Hampton Beach Casino. I have to admit that I was going because a friend gave me tickets, and didn't want to disappoint him. I wasn't expecting much from this show, and was a little sad that I was passing up Keb Mo to see it.
One unexpected plus was that I ran into Captain Morgan in between his sets with the Beach Boys tribute band at the beach's hatch shell. Carl, sorry if I disappointed you by not being there for you, but one thing you should know is that one of the things Maureen and I have in common is a shared, um, "avoidance" might be the polite word, of all things Beach Boys. So sorry, nothing personal against you at all.
Anyway, Toby Lightman (http://www.tobylightman.com/) opened the night with a half-hour solo acoustic set that was pleasant enough. We caught only the latter half because we were running late.
She was followed by Suzanne Vega, who appears to be stuck in the "I'm an Artist, dammit" mode. She had very little personality and most of what was there was bad. She had a few interactions with the crowd, mostly sniffing indignantly about requests for her two hits, Luka and Tom's Diner. ("When I play Tom's Diner, that will be the end of my show.") Let's just say after a while we had additional incentive to hear the tune.
Previously, I had heard a live bootleg CD of Mark Cohn, and had dismissed him as a pleasant enough ballad singer, with the one big hit (Walking in Memphis). However, he opened the night with an uptempo rock thing, and the sound was absolutely stellar. He and his band actually rocked the house, and lots of his newer stuff is really interesting. He was everything Suzanne Vega was not: pleasant, funny, humble, loved interacting with the audience (very funny interaction about why it's called a "Casino"), and gave the most beautiful story about where he got the inspiration for Walking in Memphis. He has a great band, and the guitarist is Shane Fontaine, who's played with David Bowie, and he was amazing.
So, I guess my question is has anyone else ever seen this guy? I'd go see him again in a heartbeat. Really great sound and show.
8/30/2008 11:22:17 AM
Oops, I guess it's Marc Cohn (with a "c").
The only cool thing about Suzanne Vega's show was that because it was just her on sparse acoustic guitar, and a bassist and drummer, almost all the melody lines and fills were done on fretless bass. This was a fairly interesting approach (especially to me as a bass player, myself), and really worked better than it sounds in theory. Still didn't offset her boringness and aloofness, but at least it made the set somewhat interesting for me.
8/30/2008 11:27:13 AM
I have one of his albums. I like him a lot.
8/30/2008 12:00:36 PM
Hey, it's time you research the Beachboys if you think there's nothing in their repertoire that you'd enjoy! )you f8ckin fr*ckin Tom Waits boozehound gravelvoice lovin son of a b*tch%#&#^@%#$)
:-)
But seriously, Yeah, Vega's always given off that vibe. Artsyfartsy so and so.
Marc Cohn is fantastic. His other somewhat hit, "True Companion" is huge in the wedding scene so I've sung it a bunch, and it's one of those wedding songs I always look forward to singing.
I love when a fretless bass becomes the solo instrument in a sparse setting. In fact, that's the role Dino plays in Carl and Dean quite a bit (because I'm a rhythm guitar player, not a lead guitar player) hee hee
It was great bumping into you Arte! (my smoothie was great)
8/30/2008 1:19:09 PM
> )you f8ckin fr*ckin Tom Waits boozehound gravelvoice lovin
> son of a b*tch%#&#^@%#$)
Bwah hah hah hah! I just had Diet Coke go up my nose.
Guilty, as charged.
8/30/2008 2:13:39 PM
Hmm, that line about Diet Coke could be interpreted as inadvertently funny on a few levels.....
8/30/2008 2:14:14 PM
And yes, smoothies are awesome!
8/30/2008 2:14:54 PM
Artek - I am NOT making this a "plug" - but one of the things you mentioned that you liked about Suzanne's show, is one of the reasons I joined ACME - Our trio is Acoustic Gtr, Drums and Fretless Bass... and Jay (bass player) does all the "leads" and distinctive melody lines.
It adds a unique "flavor" to the sound. Glad I'm not the only one that appreciates a good "lead-fretless" part. :o)
8/30/2008 2:28:53 PM
It's just plain groovy. And I hope my mentioning Carl and Dean didn't sound like a plug either.
We stumbled upon using that device out of necessity. I think I remember Dino looking at me a few times when I called for a bass solo like I was crazy. It then kind of became a game, out of nowhere I'd shout, "Dino!" and he'd have to solo over some song we'd never played before. Always with great results.
And whereas bass solos on a dance gig, immediately clear the floor and cause the audience to stop listening, at a quiet acoustic gig, it draws them in and makes them pay attention.
So often, it's the first time they notice that big thing one of those douchebags in the corner is playing!
8/30/2008 2:42:03 PM
Plug away, gentlemen! I generally don't mind where any discussion takes us.
At any moment now, Chippa's going to insert some obscene Tourette's Syndrome like outburst....
8/30/2008 3:15:28 PM
If we're lucky.
8/30/2008 3:23:44 PM
I do like Marc Cohn but have never seen him in concert. As is true with so many artists, his hits are not neccesarily his best work, but I like those too.
8/31/2008 8:23:50 AM
Yes, I really liked Paper Walls, 29 Ways to my Baby's Door, and the new ones Listening to Levon and Dancing Back from the Grave.
8/31/2008 9:04:17 AM
The song Silver Thunderbird always reminds me of my father.
I also like the song Dig Down Deep.
He writes great songs.
8/31/2008 12:34:45 PM
Yes, that's other one I love!
8/31/2008 9:36:25 PM
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