Story and Photos By Andy Argyrakis
Seconds before Marc Cohn plugged in his guitar at the
Park West on Tuesday night, a women yelled out "It's
nice to have you back." He hesitated for a moment
while situating the instrument and humbly replied
"It's nice to be back." The audience erupted at the
seemingly casual statement since after all such
pleasantries are often exchanged between fans and
artists. But last night it meant something much more,
almost to a miraculous degree considering what this
particular performer experienced a few months ago.
After an August tour stop in Denver, Cohn and his band
were victims of an attempted carjacking that ended
with a shot to the head of the singer/songwriter. Hope
was fading fast that he'd even survive let alone be
back on the road by year's end, but the return was a
testament to troubadour's intestinal fortitude. And
getting what's literally been a second chance of life
lit a unquenchable fire under yesterday's appearance-
his first of a four city tour since the episode- more
than making up for the canceled concert at Navy Pier
this summer.
Besides being a stellar songwriter known for the
mega-smash "Walking In Memphis," the wedding anthem
"True Companion" and the Jo Dee Messina country
breakthrough "Silver Thunderbird," Cohn put his pen to
recent experiences. Even more moving than the
aforementioned was his debut of the tentatively titled
"Live Out the String." "This song is about not knowing
if it's your last day of life or not and living each
moment to the fullest," he told those gathered prior
to a spirited, soulful piano expression. It paved the
way for another tranquil newbie called "My Sanctuary,"
along with the much more celebratory but also
inspirational "Memphis," a song he's sung a thousand
times before, but delivered with renewed zeal.
As the night wore on, he dug out other notables like
the smoky and sultry "Walk Through This World," the
recovery based "Life Goes On" and the closer "Silver
Thunderbird." Though it was time to say goodbye, Cohn
reminded all the CD Live 04-05 just came off the
presses and promised a new studio CD for early next
year (the first since 1998's Burning the Daze).
Based on his bravery and commitment to this come back
after a near fatal experience, chances are this
trooper will be back in full time action picking right
up where he left off.
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