Cohn-heads Rock Out

Early in Marc Cohn's performance at South Orange Performing Arts Center last night, the soulful singer-songwriter referenced his newest album, Join The Parade. When someone in the sold-out crowd yelled "keep 'em coming," Cohn smiled demurely.  Back when he was cruising in "Walking In Memphis" glory, he said he made a decision not to become overexposed.  Laughing with the audience, he stated, "mission accomplished."

But the 1991 Grammy winner is back on the scene.  And not only is his music just as powerful as ever, but the guy is hilarious--and incredibly humble--on stage.  In recent years, Cohn weathered a divorce, was shot in the head after a random carjacking attempt, and watched Hurricane Katrina's destruction as he recuperated from his injury.  He says those experiences, though tragic, turned a switch in his brain that got his creative juices flowing again.  Those in SOPAC's 415-seat theater on Valentines night got to take it all in, in an atmosphere startlingly intimate for the likes of a 1991 Grammy-winning Best New Artist.

With Amy Correia's powerful vocals backing him up (she actually opened for the show, too, and was incredible), and guitarist Shane Fontayne playing alongside him, Cohn's music was complex and full of energy, and his conversation with the crowd was honest and witty. Whether he was singing, strumming the guitar, or playing the piano, his incredible skill and comfort were obvious.  And the rest of his very talented band kept the feel-good vibes coming from all corners of the stage -- everyone just seemed to be having a blast up there.They played some songs from Join The Parade, which had the same old Marc Cohn sound, but tended to tackle intense topics (such as Hurricane Katrina in "Dance Back From The Grave").  Cohn also very happily played the favorites. "Walking In Memphis," of course, got everybody in the audience singing "Ma'am I am tonight!"  And he joked that -- especially on Valentines Day -- he couldn't get away with not playing "True Companion," telling the crowd how much it means to him to know that his song could be such an intimate part of people's lives.  A rockin' rendition of "29 Ways," also from his first album, got everybody in the audience bouncing in their seats and clapping along.

The most touching moment came at the end of the first of two encores.  After Cohn played "The Things We've Handed Down," written for his 16-year-old son, Max, before he was born, Max emerged from the audience and came onstage to play drums while his dad sang Van Morrison's "Crazy Love."  Returning to the stage for his second encore, Cohn asked the audience "how about my son?" After thoroughly enjoying the rousing applause, Cohn dumbfoundedly shook his head and said "what a thrill"... then added, "for ME."

At one point in the show, Cohn thanked the audience for the applause after a song. Someone yelled back, "thank YOU." Cohn smiled, said "my pleasure," and then corrected himself. "Actually, it's my job." But what made the show so fantastic was the fact that it didn't seem like it WAS his job.  Except for the fact that he was spending Valentines Day away from his wife (ABC News anchor Elizabeth Vargas), it seemed as though there was no place he'd rather be.  And looking back on the night, my husband and I couldn't have picked a better place to spend our Valentines evening, either.