-
Variety
Vol. 274 No. 3
New York, Wednesday, February 27, 1974
New Acts
Joe Cohen
Songs
20 Mins.
Earl of Oldtown, Chi.
Tuesday night is "Hoot" night at the Earl of Oldtown, when a variety of undiscovered folk talent gets a chance to exhibit their wares. Joe Cohen, 21, was one of eight or so heard on night caught and is a fine singer in plain packaging.
Cohen writes his own material--mostly sad ballads that are lyrically and musically tight and that were well received in the intimate surroundings. Cohen has a pleasant, wry way about him, and the audience looked forward to his patter as much as it did his songs...Cohen deserves wider exposure.-- Jac.
-
Pages
The Milwaukee Journal
Wednesday, September 24, 1975
By Pierre Rene Noth of The Journal Staff
--The writing is excellent...
-
Pages
The Jewish Post
Chicago
Friday, September 26, 1975
By Emily Dwass
The lyrics speak of love, religion, the passing of time, travelling and searching. These themes run through the songs without overwhelming them; the metaphors are simple, the poetry of the lyrics forceful. The words and the music work together in every song, and the result is an album that leaves you humming the tunes after the first time you hear them.
-
Pages
TRIAD
Chicago
October 1975
--Cohen's use of strings is subdued and superb, a fitting counterpart to his clear-eyed lyrics of love...Pages possesses a warmth and sincerity that's hard to find in a biz where sincerity is dealt in vinyl quantities. Joe Cohen's Pages are for saving.
J.J. Quinn
-
Pages
walrus
October 8, 1975 Issue #170
The power of solid tunes was never so evident...There is talent in these here grooves.
-
Pages
The Badger Herald
Madison, Wisconsin
October 16, 1975
By William Brohaugh
Herald Fine Arts Writer
Pages is a surprising album. Cohen who once lived in Madison and played at the Good Karma, has a voice that is strong and resilient. It is slightly reminiscent of Dylan, but to call him Dylanesque would be to underestimate him.
However, there is a relation to Dylan, mostly in the quality of the songwriting. From the serene, sensitive songs like Lady in Amber and Please Stay Forever to the more jaunting tunes like Rainbow and Tired of Searching, Cohen demonstrates a writing abilily that is considered and perceptive...
Riding the borderline between folk and rock, Cohen dives into this album and emerges with something unique, unusual and pleasing.
-
Pages
Illinois Entertainer
November 1975 Vol. 2 No. 22
By Ken Voss
His lyrics are simple and direct...And that's what makes the album dynamic. The lyrics are easy to relate to. They demonstrate a loneliness that's contained in all of us; they contain that pursuit of a dream.
-
Pages
The Sentinel
Chicago
December 11, 1975
By Henry Chernow and David Schwarz
From a purely production standpoint, the album "Pages" is one of the finest that has been heard in a long time. Joe has an excellent grasp of how to portray moods and emotions through music. Singing in his semi-Bob Zimmerman style, he conveys a message through the blend of music and lyrics that this author has not heard from any new Midwestern talent in the recent past. "Lady in Amber" is a prime example of this. In a relatively short song, he runs the gamut of emotional feelings, not only through the words, but in his guitar playing as well...
His lyrics are both moving and understandable. You can feel the deep thought that went into them. "Tired of Searching (They Can't Hide the One)" is, at times, downright inspiring. From a poet's standpoint, Joe's words could stand alone with the same impact, even if no music had been added.
Pride--almost a forgotten word in this community, is not forgotten by Joe Cohen. "Pages" is one of the most refreshing things around, as is Joe of the most refreshing new talents.
-
Pages
The Jewish Post
Chicago
Friday, December 12, 1975
By Elisha Prero
One word not to use when describing this album is "complicated." In an age in which most albums are either insultingly "bubble gum" or else shrouded in lyrical and-or musical mystery, Pages appears as a breath of fresh air. These are real songs by a real person. They are not terribly complex from any aspect, but rather are relatively simple songs revealing very real thoughts and feelings.
-
Writings On My Wall
Illinois Entertainer
November 1982
--This touching collection of love and un-love songs works because it's so simple...M.G. Maples
-
Writings On My Wall
Billboard
Billboard's Recommended LPs
November 20, 1982
pop
JOE COHEN - Writings On My Wall, Friendship Store Music, FSM 2000. Produced by Joe Cohen.
Chicago-based singer/songwriter Cohen offers a collection of introspective tunes focusing on love. The tracks are lean and primarily acoustic, complementing Cohen's spare, haunting vocals.
|
