The Steel Guitar Forum

There recently was discussion here about how steel guitar can be suited virtually to any style or mode of music, from Rock to Rachmaninoff. Maybe so, but I suspect the great majority of steelers would be hard pressed to prove that boast.

I heard Jim Cohen for the first time, Sunday, in Waltham, Mass., and I quickly realized that Jim is one of those few who not only can prove it, but has set about to do so. With mastery and refined taste at that! No, there was no Rachmaninoff - at least not in the two sets he played Sunday. But he left me confident that he probably could pull off "Deus Meus" or some "Gypsy Caprice" on steel, and with a style that even a bona fide retro hillbilly would applaud. The proof is in all else he did - from Jazz, to old-time Rock 'n Roll (a la Beach Boys) and everything in between - a delicious eclectic pudding!

If you want your own proof, order his CD from Bob Lee. Great job, Jimbeaux!

And you can add to it that Jim is a super great guy.

Great player, great friend. Here's link to his CD. I heard a track from it on SteelRadio.com last night. It was instantly recognizable - Jim has his own style - and beautifully played.

Let me add that I too heard Jim for the first time in Waltham and he's a fine player. Jim really swings hard and plays killer single string & chord melody jazz. I noticed that he did lots of subtle back up with chord punches that helped the other soloists shine too. Great version of "Someday Soon:, Jim. Nice guy too.

Jim really has his own style, and I also enjoy his selections of tunes. He is very knowledgeable about the instrument and its history, plus he is not afraid to take the steel guitar into different musical directions. In fact, when we were at the Dallas Convention Jim was playing the introduction to the l960s tune, "A Whiter Shade of Pale. I'm looking forward to his new recording.
Chuck

Jim does a great job and is one of the best.
His release of "Finally Here" says it all!
Those of you who like this genre should also listen to some of "Reece Andersons" recordings, like Jim they have a style of their own.
<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Richard Gonzales on 30 October 2001 at 11:05 AM.]</p></FONT>

I spent a couple days hanging around Jim at the Fessenden booth in St Louis. And tho I had heard he was a fine player,when he sat down and picked,I thought - uh oh...here comes another monster into our midst.And his CD proves that point.I love how he quotes the melody from "Walkin' My Baby Back Home" during the solo in "Secret Love".If we had more players like Jim Cohen showing how nicely Jobim tunes lay out on steel and things like that,the public at large might eventually start percieving steel guitar in the stylistically neutral light that the instrument deserves - and the future of the instrument depends on. -MJ-

Jim is not only a great player, he is a heckuvva guy. Anyone who has been fortunate to meet him can attest to the fact that he is a real gentleman. I very much enjoy the expression and taste he brings to his unique style. Keep it up Jim!!!

Boy, you guys sure just made my day! I'm flattered and honored to read these comments and to know that what I'm trying to do is making a difference to somebody. Yes, I am working on a second solo CD and hope to go into the studio on it in January. It will continue my trend of picking great, but somewhat obscure or forgotten chestnuts that lay real nice on steel guitar. Believe me, you guys will be first to know when it's ready. But first, I gotta complete a live CD with my swing band, Beats Walkin'. We haven't recorded a second disc yet and the first one came out in 1997! We're a whole lot better now and there will be C6 steel all over that disc (I know, cuz I'm the bandleader!) We're scheduled for a live recording on Dec. 7th, so with any luck, we'll have it out by around February to take the chill off some of those cold winter nights!
Many thanks again to all you guys for your interest. You really did just make my day.
Jimbeaux

------------------
www.jimcohen.com

Let me add I don't consider JIm an up and comer he is already here. His willingness to travel distances to the many shows he does is bringing this mans talent and also the great sense of humor he posseses to the forefront.The man was something else at the Mass show in July. Anyone traveling to any show Jim appears at will be more than entertained.. His CDs are a bargain at any price.

------------------
CJC

Yes, Jim's tone is quite "acceptable", eh Seymour?

It was an inspiration to hear Jim play at Frank Caruso's steel show last sunday.

I e-mailed Jim a few weeks ago saying his CD is one of my top 3 CDs of all (not just steel) and nothing has happened since then to change my mind. I just love it!!

More, More, More!!!! I'll even bite the bullet on the exchange rate to get Jim's music (today the $Cdn is at about 62 cents on the $US!)


------------------
Don Walters
Carter D-10, 8p/6k
Session 500 with Lemay Mod

Jimbeaux, I'm just gonna express my great
admiration for your knowledge, wisdom, and
'feeling'........you have embodied all these components into your expression of the steel guitar.
At Frank's great show in Waltham, you played
"Someday Soon". I've heard you play it before; On your CD "Finally Here"...and
[live] in Lee, MA this year.

But your performance of it at Frank's, and
I know anyone who was there will not disagree, was a truly stellar rendition. You
seem to know exactly when to put that great -
"I GOTCHA NOW" choke hold on, and kill us with just the right pedal,shiver,volume, you-name-it-steel-guitar-moves- yes, just outstanding.....Thanks Jimbeaux.....Keep up the great effort.

ChipsAhoy

I heard one of Jim's cd's at a friend's house one time,and I really did'nt get to hear much of the cd ,but he did a damn good job on the song Someday soon.Beautiful tone man.

I bought Jim Cohen's Rythm tracks for his CD "Finally Here". Then I said, " I'm going to have to see what this guy does with these great songs". So I asked him to send his CD solos on "Finally Here". He said it was the first time anyone ordered the backup tracks first , THEN the solo CD.

WELL, I am highly impressed! Although they were all great renditions. "Someday Soon" was a top notch E9 solo. But I must confess that although I like songs on E9, I am partial to the 6th tuning.

So I favored "Our Day will come", "Deep in a dream", "Desafinado", "Secret Love", Reminds me of the Great Maurice Anderson and Curly Chalker.

The Pedal Steel guitar will not die out with more Players like Jim Cohen coming along.........al <FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Al Marcus on 06 November 2001 at 07:20 PM.]</p></FONT>

Well, reading this thread tonite was just about the best birthday present I could have hoped for! Thank you all for your kind words. I'm humbled to read them.

As for "Someday Soon", well, I just love that song. I've had so many requests for tab on it that I've finally done it (today!) Boy, did that ever take a long time! I have a new-found respect for you guys who tab stuff out all the time. It can sure chew up your day.

In any case, I will have the tab and rhythm tracks (for the whole CD, except "Deep in a Dream", which is unaccompanied) for sale at the PSGA show in Norwalk, CT this weekend. Stop by the Fessenden booth and check them out. And, yes, I will indeed play "Someday Soon" on my set.

------------------
www.jimcohen.com

Jim,
I can agree with all of it!
You are great!!
Happy Birthday!!
Johan

------------------

STEELDAYS 2002
my web-site
my bands CODand TSC