Grammy award winner Marc Cohn is best known for his signature song Walking in Memphis. Cohn has just released a new album, Join the Parade, on Decca Records. And today, he's talking with us live on Gather!
Join Soundtracking's Laura Cushing for a live chat with Marc Cohn starting today at 5 pm ET! If you can't make it to the chat, please leave your question in a comment ahead of time and we'll try to get it answered.
Don't miss your chance to talk to talented singer/songwriter Marc Cohn right here on Gather!
CHAT IS OVER!
If you missed it, read down through the comments to see how Marc answered Gather member questions.
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Comments: 99
I am glad that he made this comeback!!
Best of luck!!
I am just wondering..What will be his greatest wish after releasing this album?
In this video, you speak of your "songwriting receiver" being back on and even leaving phone messages for yourself to capture your ideas. How do you usually write or document your ideas? How do you organize them for production, or do you feel your process is more organic than that?
Thanks - Julia
I love that song and sometimes can relate to the narrator.
Makes me wonder...:
In one of the recent interviews you mention that you saw yourself as one of those artists "who would release a whole bunch of records, but somehow that just was not to be...!"
- What is your take on the future in that regard? Do you see yourself going back to actively working on writing new material once the tour is over, or has the prolonged process of making this - remarkable IMO - new album left you fearful of forcing your own hand...?
Do you think in terme of concept albums, of do you gather up what you have written and pick your favourites, which then become the record...?
also:
- I stumbled on "Old Soldier" which has since become a favourite of mine, and I am wondering why it and never made one of the albums - especially since it would fit right in with the rest of the songs!??
- Finally, I have to ask what the chances are of you coming on tour in Europe (well, Scandinavia, actually)?
Thanks, Marc, and have a great time touring!
Claus
Hi Marc!
Shawn
Not long now...
Shawn
Thanks Laura for the time and effort it took to set this up.
Jean in NY
And thank you everyone else for joining us as well. If you have a question for Marc, please post it in the comment box and he will get to your questions as time allows.
When I met you in Austin you said "I hope you like the new CD" and I said "I'll let you know..."
;-)
I am letting you know - it's splendid!!!
Trying to think of a REALLY good question!
Shawn
My process is very organic. I usually just sit at the piano or with my guitar and have a walkman cassette player going at all times, if I think there's anything good happening. I don't document anything musically other than that, but I keep dozens and dozens of journals of my lyrics.
Elvis is part of the inspiration for "Walking in Memphis." I loved his early music, especially from the late 50s, but I love much of the music that's come out of Memphis over the last four decades, including Al Green, who I mention in the bridge. The biggest inspiration for the song was an unknown singer named Muriel Wilkins, who I met and sang with at the Hollywood Cafe.
First of all, I'm glad you like the record! My hope is to be able to keep writing and to put out a new record as fast as possible. Unfortunately for me, "as fast as possible" could mean another fifteen years. I'll try my best to make it a lot sooner.
Here's a question - have you thought of recording any of your VERY early songs, ie, Along the Acorn Track or Bits and Pieces - the latter song is stunning, considering you were, what, 15/16 when you wrote it?
The CD I have of THAT CD interview is great and shows you had amazing songwriting promise way back then.
Shawn
The idea for the song came from an email I got from a good old friend of mine from high school, who wrote to me just after I had been shot. The first line of his email is the first line of that song. He's also the one who told me to just "live out the string." I wasn't really sure what he meant by it, but to me it means doing your best to make the most of every day because everything about this journey is ultimately so fragile, tenuous and remarkable. It's a strange and lovely ride.
Jean in NY
So great to hear from you. And great to hear that you like the new record. Don't worry about not coming up with a question. If it takes me nine years to make a record, I'll give you a few more minutes to think of something good to ask.
So glad you asked. Levon is the great Levon Helm, one of the lead singers and drummer for the great band called "The Band." The Band was one of my earliest and biggest influences, and if you don't know them, check out a record simply called "The Band." That's Levon singing on the tracks "Up on Cripple Creek" and "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down." He sings on so many amazing songs that it's hard to name them all here, but those two are a good place to start.
One more thing... Levon has only recently recovered from throat cancer, and I hear he has a brand new record out, called "The Dirt Farmer." Check it out.
For me the last song on the new record is in keeping with the pattern you've noticed. "Life Goes On" may sound a bit dark at first, but it's ultimately meant to be as simple as a prayer.
Question about one of your previous albums. Love the song "She's Becoming Gold". Can you tell me the story behind the song?
Thanks,
Daniel in Raleigh
Listeners weren't surprised when you won the Grammy, but were you? How did it feel and - is one Grammy enough?
As happy as I am that you like those early tracks, not only have I not considered recording them, but I'll be extremely upset if you play them for anybody! They were never meant for mass-consumption, so please enjoy them in the privacy of your own iPod.
My tour starts October 30th in Minneapolis and includes many stops in theaters and clubs throughout the States. Please go to my new website MarcCohn.net to see all of the upcoming dates. Hope to see you at one of them.
LOL!!!!
Shawn
I hesitate to tell you anything too specific, Daniel, only because I don't want to spoil whatever it is your imagination has conjured up. I hope that doesn't sound like a cop out, but if it is, John Lennon copped out too, and would never tell anybody what his songs really "meant." I can tell you this much though, it's a song about inner-transformation. I'm glad you like the song, it's one of my favorites to play live.
My husband and I saw the show in Crystal Lake, IL and it was superb. We are looking forward to Milwaukee next week. How come One Safe Place is not on any album other than the live one?
Susan L
One Grammy is never enough!
what qualities in your mind must a song contain in order to be on an album of yours, and also, are you left with an extra song or two that for some reason or other just didn't fit in with the ones that made the album?
Claus, Denmark
Do you have any advice for kids like Johnathan who write for the joy of it and maybe one day hear their work sung by someone else?
Please, answer someone who has not had a turn if they ask a question. Thanks again.
Jean in NY
I hope your father's close friend makes it through somehow and that the song, if you chose to play it, helps with her healing process.
We tried recording that song in the studio and couldn't come up with a suitable new studio version. It also felt like a closing track, and I already had one that I was happy with and that I felt fit better on the new record as a final statement.
Thank you for doing this chat.
I have 2 questions:
1. When you write songs, what generally comes first, words or music?
2. How did you come to work with your current lineup of musicians?
thanks and look forward to seeing you in December (it will be 10 years since the Newport Folk Festival in 1997!)
I have many songs that didn't make the cut because for one reason or another, they didn't seem to fit. For me in the end, a good song just has to feel honest. A good melody and a clever turn of phrase never hurt either.
Keep writing. You'll get there if you keep working at it. Good luck, Johnathan!
we're coming up on the winter holiday season -- Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, the turning of the year too. What are your favoritre songs to listen to or to play yourself at this time of year?
Fire and Rain or You Can Close Your Eyes?
Shawn
I usually write words and music concurrently. Occasionally I'll write an entire lyric without any idea of what the music's going to be, but rarely is it the other way around. For me, the players I use on my records is one of the most important aspects of what I do. If you have a good script and a good director, the wrong cast can still ruin everything. I usually use people that have an amazing combination of skill and intuitive creativity. Jim Keltner, the drummer on most of the new record, has played with everyone from George Harrison to Eric Clapton to John Lennon. It's musicians like Jim that can turn a good record into a great one.
Great question, Jennifer. Can I use four and just get the Beatles back together again?
Even though I've heard it way too many times, I still love Nat King Cole's Christmas record.
Gather member Amanda couldn't make it to the chat today, but she asked:
Will the album be released in Australia ( I have imported mine, but would love access to the iTunes version with bonus track), and any chance of a tour here?
Sorry, Shawn, it would have to be "Looking For Love On Broadway" or "Another Grey Morning."
Do you mean an emotional place or a physicaly one?
Once I've decided to put it out, which as you know takes forever, I pretty much let it go. I've come to embrace the fact that at that point, it's not really mine anymore.
My record company is in the process of trying to find out when I might make it back to your beautiful country, and when the record might be released there. The last time I was there was as an opening act for Bonnie Raitt, and it was one of the greatest times I've ever had on tour.
Gather member Kimberly wants to know -
After a near death experience, some peoples make changes in their lives. Has there been some radical change in your life?
I don't have a particular place that I like to write. If anything, what helps the most is travelling to somewhere you've never been before. That can sometimes open up the songwriting channel. In terms of an emotional space, Neil Young used to say that he never writes when he's happy, why would you spoil the moment? I'm pretty much the same way. I usually write when I have something I'm trying to work through, whether I know it or not at the time.
I don't go to Denver much anymore!
Another great question. I think the most crucial thing is surrounding yourself with people who really know who you are, can see you for who you are, and will always tell you the truth. Of course you have to be strong enough to actually listen.
Giving up the ghost - what a stunning song, uplifting yet sad. I notice it is co-written with Mr L. As a singer songwriter, how do you collaborate? A few of these tunes on the new record are co-written. How easy do you write with others? And how does the process work?
Finally, thanks so much for playing Angelsong in Austin. One of my all time favourites, and thanks for undertaking this chat. We have missed you over the last 9 years. It is marvellous to have you back.
Shawn
Any chance you can get a few of your unreleased songs on your website for download? One Thing of Beauty or your cover of Fever would be a great place to start!
It's always different, Shawn. One day I'll play you the original version of "Giving Up The Ghost" with music that I wrote. I didn't like my music at the time, so I handed the lyric to John and he wrote the beautiful Appalachian-style waltz that appears on the record. The other collaborations were all very different -- too complicated to go into here. Thanks for the kind words, Shawn. Hope to see you soon out there again. Thanks for travelling all those miles just to see a show. I promise I'll be the one to do the travelling next time.
...a great song like 'Old Soldier' - one of my personal favourites - can you please tell me the story behind that one, and perhaps get into why it didn't make the cut...
Thanks!
Claus (Denmark)
Thank you so much. All I can tell you is your comments move me very deeply. Thank you.
I have a whole bundle of B-Sides that I've never released that I'd love to put out someday as a collection. Starting on the website may not be a bad idea. We'll see. Thanks for your interest in my music.
"Everyman" by Phillip Roth was a great book that I just finished.
Jean in NY
Glad you liked that one, Claus. I wrote it for the Olympics in 1994, specifically for a swimmer that was the oldest competitor named Pablo Morales. Almost at the same time the people from the Olympics asked me to write that song, David Crosby called looking for tunes as well. David is one of my dearest friends and a great old soldier himself, so I wrote it with both David and Pablo in mind.
Okay, this is the toughest question so far. I'll try to get back to this later.
And thanks to everyone who participated - we had some great questions!
Lost you in the canyon - you've said you have seen a number of people's views on what this is about... and some of them have made you laugh - can you exclusively reveal here the subject matter or is it too personal - either way, a great song, the first I heard off Daze when Bob Harris played it on Radio 2.
Thanks again.
Shawn
And thanks for hosting Laura! Great job.
What's in the tour forecast for us devoted Scandinavian 'Cohnheads'?
Thanks again for answering my questions, and I wish you all the best with the new album and the tour!
Claus Denmark
Oh well...just glad he's alive and doing music. Sorry I missed ya Marc.....catch ya maybe later Dude. :)
I am so glad you were able to rest and recover, than write wonderful melodies of a time of such dis-pare, it leaves me speak-less, thank you for being you! Blessing, wishing you all the best today , tomorrow for the future is within your reach, we have the pleasure, of the understanding words to your music. Congratulations on your album and your tour, may God bless you and watch over you as you continue on...... wow, deep emotions rising from within to the surface to be written, sound good to me, yes Neil Young is a good story teller as well. Love that quote as well. Blessings always