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"A most commendable endeavor showing true musical excellence."
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"Bursting out with eleven incredible flamenco and tango flavored tranks,
"High Side of Lowdown"
finds James Cohen in the company of top players like Tony D. (steel string guitar), Devin Johnston (percussion),
Stu Watkins (bass) and Richard Bell (keyboard player in Janis Joplin's Full-Tilt Boogie Band). In the spirit of
guitar greats like hot-jazz master Django Reinhardt, the all instrumental "High
Side of Lowdown" really swings and conjures up a tasty array
of acoustic-based jazzy and bluesy flavored flamenco guitar originals. In addition to his captivating rapid-fire
flamenco guitar technique, Cohen is also acclaimed for inventing the VKO MundoBeat -- the world's only flamenco
and worldbeat metronome -- a product used and endorsed by such flamenco stars as Ottmar Liebert, Jesse Cook and
Miguel de la Bastide."
-Robert Silverstein
20th Century Guitar Magazine
November 2003
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"James Cohen on "High
Side of Lowdown" also takes an old form and makes it new. In
his case, he takes flamenco and seasons it with various contemporary styles and comes up with a savory musical
dish that both pays homage to his original inspiration while making it new for contemporary listeners. "Fortune's Fool" generates rock-like
energy, and it wouldn't surprise me if I were sitting in some dark café listening to "La Tormenta" if the ghost of Django
would take a free chair at the table. He'd undoubtedly be smiling."
-David Dupont
Cadence
August 2003
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"Gritty inventiveness, slighty raunchy vibe, infectious drive, feel-good
tunes and the gorgeously fat tone of both James' and Tony's guitars."
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This disc was a surprise or, more accurately it arrived without preconceptions.
The presence of Ottawa's Tony D. and the knowledge that Fred Litwin's NorthernBlues label has a habit of hitting
home-runs in the blues genre established certain expectations. I did not expect flamenco music. Yet, the more I
listened, the more I enjoyed the brief respite from more typical blues fare. Cohen plays, after doing time in rock
bands, his version of what can only be called gypsy music in the style of Paco de Lucia, Django Rheinhardt, and
Ottmar Liebert. At the same time, he fuses elements of blues to the definitive rhythms of flamenco. There is inspired
playing throughout and the dual guitars of Cohen and D. run the gamut from the highly colourful Spanish sounds
of "Pun Tango"
to the seductive rhythms and romantic furor of the title track. This release is not ripe with technical brilliance
but, instead, serves up seriously inspired playing and an enthusiastic approach to the melding of flamenco to blues
and pop. In the process it shakes some dust off Strunz & Farrah, if not the Gypsy Kings. A perfect accompaniment
to a fine meal and large bottle of wine."
-Eric Thom
Penguin Eggs
Summer 2003
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"James Cohen has a lifetime of guitar playing under his belt, but it
wasn't until a trip to Venezuela at age 21 that he discovered flamenco music. A student of the discipline ever
since, Cohen seems a natural at the craft. Produced by Richard Bell (Janis Joplin's piano player), "High Side of Lowdown" is a fusion
of precise flamenco with a more easygoing blues sound. But he gets into the heat of Latin passion on "The Lemming" - complete with flamenco
footwork by Caroline Tardis. The instrumentalist brings a fine sound to a music style that deserves a listen."
-Jeff Hurst
Cambridge Times
May 9, 2003
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"Northernblues is an interesting Canadian label whose artists tend to
mix genres. One of my favorites has been Harry Manx, a blues guitarist who adds Indian flavors to his music.
James Cohen adds flamenco and gypsy influences to his playing, and while this is recognizably a blues record it
also encompasses tango and an ensemble "gypsy jazz" feel reminiscent of Django Reinhardt and the Hot
Club of France.
This is warm, vital, entertaining music played by Cohen and a trio of other musicians with wide influences; second
guitarist Tony D. sounds a lot like George Benson without all the godawful singing, and keyboardist Richard Bell
adds a little Irish squeezebox to the festivities.
It's a fun mix, and while you won't see these guys at Ozzfest, they'd be fun to watch over a round of opaque beer
in a small club.
Highly recommended."
-David Wilkins
The Daily World, Washington
March 28, 2003
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"Ottawa guitarist James Cohen and his acoustic band deliver sensual music
that captures the blues spirit from different angles."
-Jim Santella
All About Jazz
May 5, 2003
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"Make no mistake: James Cohen is a gifted guitarist well versed in the
explosive rhythms of Flamenco and the joyfull Django style Gypsy jazz. He plays it smart and loose throughout High Side of Low Down: his nimble fretwork
is full of unbridled enthusiasm, enough to set him apart from the skillfull yet cold "Nouveau
Flamenco" technicians who favour rote gestures over soul. Cohen
stacks the deck with sympathetic guests. Richard Bell (piano accordion) Devin Johnstone (percussion) Stu Watkins
(bass) and bluesman Tony D. (whose stinging licks provide the perfect counter to Cohen's subtle flourishes) deliver
inspired performances over the course of 11 striking treats."
-Steve Baylin
Ottawa Xpress
May 15, 2003
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"The only connection to the blues on James Cohen's High
Side of Lowdown is that this all-instrumental guitar album was released
by Canadian blues label NorthernBlues Music. But just as NorthernBlues president Fred Litwin couldn't resist putting
this one out, all Blues Bytes readers would be well-advised to take a listen to this disc --- the music within
it is just plain exhilarating. Even the story is great --- Cohen, a jeweler in Canada, goes to Venezuela on a gem-buying
trip, where he encounters a flamenco guitarist at a local tapas bar. Cohen winds up jamming with the man, and the
moment inspires him to start seriously studying flamenco music. This reviewer is certainly not qualified to pass
serious judgment on this style of music, but listening to it should made me feel good. I especially liked the song
"Tiny Monkeys,"
not just for the unique title but also for Cohen's nimble work on the strings plus Richard Bell's tasteful piano
accompaniment. The hottest guitar work can be heard on "Fortune's
Fool," on which Cohen's fingers just plain fly across the guitar
strings. If you're in the mood to venture away from the blues and want to put a little zest into your life, then
take a listen to High Side of Lowdown.
You'll love it!"
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