Search - Jim Cohen :: Finally Here

"Finally Here" - Jim Cohen - Steel Guitar Forum Records

Mike Gross | WVOF-FM, Fairfield, CT | 04/11/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

" Those of us who keep abreast of steel guitarists know from his recordings with his band, Beats Walkin', that Jim Cohen is a wonderful western swing steel guitar player. Now, he takes the opportunity to show that he can handle jazz and popular music standards with equal class. Dan Kleiman produced this album of nine tunes (some, the length of two ordinary cuts.) Dan is also heard on keyboards with some fine jazz playing. The album opens with the really exciting Brazilian feeling of Jobim's "Desafinado." From the bossa feel Jim goes to the civil war days and "Gone With The Wind" for the haunting "Tara's Theme." Also from Hollywood is Paul Francis Webster and Sammy Fain's "Secret Love" from "Calamity Jane." Jim blows us away on this one and Jimmy Van Heusen's pop chestnut "Deep In A Dream." "Our Day Will Come" is some Motown on the steel and "Hot-Tikvah" is a pleasant steel guitar journey to Jim's roots. Another one of my personal favorites is Ian Tyson's "Someday Soon." What steel fan does not remember Buddy Emmons' treatment on the hit recording by folky, Judy Collins. The late Al Hirt (trumpet) and Floyd Cramer (piano) are nicely remembered on steel with "Java." The album closes with the album title tune, "Finally Here."This album is recommended to all that enjoy the sound of jazz and pop standards on the steel guitar. This time, from the leader of Philadelphia's premier Western Swing band.Mike Gross, WVOF-FM, Fairfield, CT"