Two Weeks with Jim Cohen

Russ Wever · Post by **Russ Wever** » 16 Sep 2012 11:48 pm

After having listened to Jims new CD over the past two weeks, it's staying in the I-pod for good!
Jim said it's his first 'all-out' jazz CD, and it's so well-played and well-produced, I keep thinkin' I'm
listenin' to something outa my Blue Note or Verve collection!
It's a great variety of swing, bop, latin and the clincher is the closing 'brisk blues'
track when Jim is joined by a half-dozen other world-class steelplayers.
Thanks to Jim for taking on such an ambitious project.
~Russ

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 18 Sep 2012 9:11 am

Jim is a great guy, and an innovative steeler, but I don't think I would want to spend two weeks with him. I know he would not want to spend two weeks with me!

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 18 Sep 2012 12:53 pm

Russ, I think that's just about the nicest compliment I could hope to receive. Thank you.

Gene, my wife recently spent two solid weeks with me and didn't seem to mind. Maybe it was cuz I picked up the tab for dinner every night... ?

Neal Yeagley · Post by **Neal Yeagley** » 18 Sep 2012 3:06 pm

Jim has always been a first class guy, first as a gentleman and also as a player. I first remember when I heard Jim at the PSGA in Connecticut. My father said to me, watch out for this guy, he can only get better. Now 10 years later, WOW! Not only is he better, he is becoming one of the best damn jazz players in the business. Anyone who lives in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area needs to get out and see this man PLAY, including myself. I cannot think of a steel player in this area that has compared to the great George Edwards(Ben Lawson, you listening?)but I have to give credit where it is due and Jim Cohen has earned that right. Jim, keep picking as I can never get enough of your playing not to mention that you do everything first class! Good luck to you, your family, and your music. Keep on Jazzin! Your friend, Neal R Yeagley

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 18 Sep 2012 5:21 pm

I bought the album through I-tunes last Friday, GREAT STUFF. Of course I'm a huge Jazz fan anyway. It was fun trying to pick out who was playing each round on the last song. I think I got pretty close. Keep 'em coming Jim.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 18 Sep 2012 6:04 pm

Thanks, guys!

Neal, I remember your Dad fondly. A wonderful man and you both shared a special bond, that was clear. Thank you for all the kind words.

Darvin, glad you're diggin' the disc. If you want to email me what order you think the solos are in, I'll tell ya if you've got it right or not.

Russ, you've got me laughin' here.

"First Prize is 2 weeks with Jim Cohen"

"Second Prize is 4 weeks with Jim Cohen"

"Enter contest at your own peril!"

Jim Hoke · Post by **Jim Hoke** » 18 Sep 2012 6:24 pm

I can take about an afternoon myself. I mean with myself. But seriously, Jim. I'm very impressed with your new CD. Man you must be spending a lot of time in the shed. Your playing's gotten really fluid and fun-sounding. Great to hear "Miss Jones". Your version sent me to my steel to mess with it and I dig how all the modulations are so right for the steel - it's like it was written for steel! Don't know who the other steelers are on the last track, or what the tune is. Please fill me in (don't have the CD). Congrats for pushin' it and really stretching.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 18 Sep 2012 6:28 pm

Thanks, Jim! Glad you like it. The last tune is an original of mine called "Jimbeaux's Blues" and the other players on that track (in alphabetical order) are Reece Anderson, Randy Beavers, Chuck Campbell, Doug Jernigan, Lucky Oceans, and Buck Reid (plus guitarist Jimmy Bruno). I'm not gonna reveal here the order of the soloists, in case you want to try to guess. (You can email me privately if you want to check your answers!)

Anyway, very glad you like it! File under "Labor of Love".

Russ Wever · Post by **Russ Wever** » 18 Sep 2012 7:00 pm

I first met Jim back, gosh, the latest '70's or earliest
'80's when I worked at Scottys in St Louis.

He had an Excel 'ultra-lite' single ten with three pedals
and I believe it was four knees.

He wanted me to convert it from an E9th set-up to a C6th.

When he left with it, I recall thinking 'There's a man on a
definite mission', for how many single-neck players would
abandon our 'E9th money-makin neck'
for the 'C6 mystery-neck', haha!!
~Russ

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 19 Sep 2012 7:16 am

Well, Russ - his mission IS accomplished with regard to the 'money making' neck, 'cause he's still running around in that ancient Morris 1000 Traveller!

I'm gonna buy Jim's CD - only you guys with highly-developed brains (Hi, Russ!) can deal with I-pods and suchlike...

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 20 Sep 2012 6:18 am

You're right Roger. When I started playing C6 back in those days Russ talks about, I took a vow of poverty.

Jim Hoke · Post by **Jim Hoke** » 20 Sep 2012 6:24 am

Or as my friend Buffalo says, "Hey I'm not in it for the money. And I can prove it."

Neal Yeagley · Post by **Neal Yeagley** » 20 Sep 2012 9:07 am

As I said before Jim, you are a gentlemen and a scholar. Hey fellow steel players and steel guitar fans, LISTEN TO THIS JAZZMAN! He can flat out play steel guitar jazz. Even if you are not a jazz fan, this recording will make you one. If I had enough time in the day to write here, I would be here until tomorrow morning.
So fresh off the press, listen to this great steel guitar player. he is going to be around for a long time. His ideas and phrasing are like no other steel playing. Hey Jim, see you soon! Neal Yeagley

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 20 Sep 2012 9:15 am

My copy's in the mail - he sure is a clever player!!!

My other pal, Russ Wever, is no slouch either, and I had a nice visit with him on my way home from my long Summer gig in ND.

They're two of my favourite denizens of the World of Steel Guitar!

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 20 Sep 2012 11:43 am

Roger Rettig wrote: They're two of my favourite denizens of the World of Steel Guitar!

"Denizens"? Would that be something like this...?

... or perhaps more like these??

It's a rhetorical question, Roger; you don't need to answer it. In fact, please don't!

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 20 Sep 2012 11:49 am

Well, it's a flattering picture, but 'Yes'......

"Denizen (n): Inhabitant or occupant of place.... (Concise Oxford Dictionary)".

Mind you, maybe there's a CD sleeve-pic there....

Bill Cunningham · Post by **Bill Cunningham** » 24 Sep 2012 7:56 am

Ever listen to this gets better and better. I don't think anybody asked yet Jim, but which guitar(s) did you use? Whatever, the tone was better than adequate

Seriously, a really nice "growl"

Thanks again for putting it out there for us!

jackie harmon · Post by **jackie harmon** » 24 Sep 2012 12:31 pm

I have my copy ordered can't wait to ge it.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 27 Sep 2012 6:25 pm

Thanks, Bill. To answer your question, all tunes on the album were recorded with either my Franklin D10 or my MSA Millenium D10. (And I ain't tellin' which one on which tunes. Y'all can try to guess, though!)

Jackie, your CD went out a few days ago and should be arriving soon. Hope ya enjoy it!

Jimbeaux

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 28 Sep 2012 6:23 am

I wouldn't venture to guess on that one. My estimate is about 95% of tone is in the hands, EQ, volume pedal, amp, and pickup. The rest is the guitar, which ain't much.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 28 Sep 2012 6:46 am

This CD is simply terrific. I've always known Jim to be a talented and broadminded player but this latest album is a revelation!

He's truly a master-player and I'm loving his tone, execution and clever improvisations. I'm not always convinced by so-called 'jazz albums' on steel, but there's no hint here of the 'cowboy jazz' that sometimes results from such endeavours.

Some fine sidemen, too - I'm particularly enjoying the bass-players tone and chops! I have to say that my favourite track is Strayhorn's 'Lush Life'.

Here I am in seventh heaven - Jim's CD is playing while I watch the Ryder Cup (and I'm getting some practice in, too).

One of the best-ever albums from a steel guitarist - do yourself a good turn and buy one!

Tom Higgins · Post by **Tom Higgins** » 4 Oct 2012 12:52 pm

I tried to buy the cd on CD Baby,pushed the "buy cd" button...nothing happened.Can I get it elsewhere?

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 4 Oct 2012 1:01 pm

Hi Tom.

Sorry to hear you had that problem. Had not heard of that happening before. In any case, I've sent you a PM with info about direct-ordering it from me.

Anyone else who wishes to direct order it from me can just send me an email or PM. I don't post the info here just because I don't want to put my home address on the internet.

Thank you,

Jim

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Two Weeks with Jim Cohen

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