Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » James Cohen: High Side Of Lowdown

James Cohen: High Side Of Lowdown

By Jim Santella
May 6, 2003
View read count

Lowdown Blues means the same thing in any language. The acoustic music of nineteenth century gypsies expresses the same message. So do soulful ballads from many distant lands. An operatic moan or a folk lament can accomplish the same goals that came to us through pioneers such as Robert Johnson or W.C. Handy. Django Reinhardt knew that. Astor Piazzolla knew that. Many others from the four corners of the world have come to realize that their music shares its meaning and its core with the blues.

Ottawa guitarist James Cohen and his acoustic band deliver sensual music that captures the blues spirit from different angles. “The Lemming” and “High Side of Lowdown” carry a genuine flamenco flavor. “Tiny Monkeys” and “Blue Gypsy” come with shades of Django with Stephane Grappelli. Throughout the session, Cohen’s band improvises with spontaneity and passion. That passion, after all, is what makes sets the blues apart from other forms of music. When an artist is convincing, he can tell the stories with meaning. Whether the band is made up of Peruvian Pan pipes, Tibetan dulcimers, Indian tablas, or Australian didgeridoos, each organization has the power to convey meaning in a natural and convincing manner.

The acoustic timbres of Cohen’s band create a pure and natural aura that's sure to convince even the most skeptical blues purist.

Visit james-cohen.com .

Track Listing

Pun Tango; Santa Anna; Blue Gypsy; Mock Pollock; Elsie; The Lemming; La Tormenta; High Side of Lowdown; Tiny Monkeys; Fortune

Personnel

James Cohen

James Cohen- nylon string guitar; Tony D.- steel string guitar; Devin Johnstone- percussion; Stu Watkins- bass; Richard Bell- keyboards, piano, vibraphone, accordion; Caroline Tardis

Album information

Title: High Side Of Lowdown | Year Released: 2003 | Record Label: NorthernBlues Music

About James Cohen

PREVIOUS / NEXT

A Fireside Chat with Kalaparusha Mau...
< Previous

Charlie Hunter
Next >

Become a Sustaining Member

Since 1995, All About Jazz has championed jazz as an art form and supported the musicians who create it. Over three decades, it has grown into one of the world's leading jazz resources, serving hundreds of thousands of readers, musicians, presenters and industry professionals each month.

Help Build the Future of All About Jazz

Your support helps us continue building All About Jazz for the next generation—expanding our editorial coverage, preserving jazz history, developing new community features and creating better ways to discover the music and the people behind it.

Become a sustaining member for as little as $20 per year and you'll immediately enjoy an ad-free experience along with access to subscriber features and future articles for a full year.

Together, we're not simply sustaining All About Jazz—we're building its future. Thank you for being part of the journey.