Thank God for You

From a review by Michael Lydon, a founding editor of Rolling Stone Magazine and author of Ray Charles: Man and Music - "Mark's music is a sensitive collection of fine songs in fine settings. Mark Cohen, a songwriter whose roots reach back to the vibrant Greenwich Village music scene, is a curly-headed sprite with a big warm smile who was a regular at Folk City in the '70s, recorded two albums for Folkways Records and swapped songs with friends including Phil Ochs, Willie Nile and other MacDougal Alley musicians.

"Through the years, Cohen, like many of his pals, kept his music alive. The result in Thank God For You is an album in which every track is infused by the strength of Cohen's love of music and all he's picked up through the years. Older listeners will hear something new, yet familiar. For younger listeners, this cd will open a whole realm of possibilities."

From a review by NYC writer Rob Goldblum: "With notable band members, Cohen and The Spirits has created a tight, distinct sound, a hard-to-pin-down but unmistakable blend of folk and rock traditions."

In his early Village days Cohen played in numerous concerts and radio broadcasts, appearing with Richie Havens, Phil Ochs, Willie Nile, Steve Forbert, Pete Seeger, Tom Paxton, Richard Lewis and numerous other performers. He was hailed as a "recent discovery" by Broadside Magazine, played with Richie Havens at the Town Crier Cafe's 39th anniversary show celebrating the Woodstock festival, was the featured performer at the Ossining, NY Earth Day program in 2012, played at the newly reopened Gaslight on MacDougal St. and opened the 2014 100th anniversary birthday celebration of Mike Porco, owner of Gerdes Folk City, whose program included David Amram, Tom Chapin and others from the Folk City community.

Members of Cohen and The Spirits include: Jim Satten (guitar), who was Bo Diddley's music director and guitarist, played behind Ron Woods of the Rolling Stones, Chuck Berry, Ronnie Spector, Wilson Pickett and others.

Jivie (piano and organ), the music director of the Broadway hit "Rock of Ages" and a valued addition to numerous bands and off-Broadway productions.

Rusty Cloud (piano and organ), who was part of Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, and backed up the Blues Brother for many years. He's played behind Aretha Franklin, Bo Diddley, and other artists.

Cliff Hackford (drums and tabla) played behind Vicki Sue Robinson, AK-47, Sam the Sham, The Shirelles and numerous reggae musicians.

Tony Tino (bass) is a first class NY musician who has appeared in numerous bands and who's raised the level of Thank God For You.

Connie Harvey (backup vocals) was one of the Chiffons, sang behind Teddy Pendergrass and recorded her own Gospel cd.

Leslie Wagner (backup vocals) has been on the New York music scene for many years and has sung with numerous bands.

earBuzz.com called Cohen "a passionate guitarist whose writing has a pop/folk flavor in its rock base and whose cd is poetic and endearing."

Richard Lewis wrote, "Mark Cohen is cut from the same cloth as Pete Seeger. He is a true friend and troubadour whom I have admired for over four decades."

Phyllis B. wrote to Cohen, "Your songs are addicting. Each and every one is special to me for a different reason."

Jeff Tone, NYC writer, said, "Mark Cohen's recording of Wildwood Flower, on Thank God For You, enters a transcendent realm. It is the musical equivalent to William Blake's line about seeing 'a Heaven in a Wild Flower.'"

Mark and the musicians in Cohen and The Spirits have played all their lives. In response to the question "If you could play with anyone who would it be?" in an interview on the web site "Such Cool Stuff!: Celebrating Indie Artists," Cohen replied, "I would reframe the question. If I could play for any audience, what would it be, and the answer is a great group of rock and folk music lovers."