Nashville Blues Review – Nashville Blues Society
June 21, 2010

Andy Cohen is a virtual walking encyclopedia of American folk music and the early days of the blues.  He’s spent most of his life as a troubadour, traveling this land and introducing fans to this singular American art form.  On his Earwig Records release, “Built Right On The Ground,” Andy gives his interpretation of fourteen cuts that run the gamut from the well-known to the obscure, plus one original.  An all-acoustic affair, Andy is a classic “fingerpicking” stylist, also playing piano and dulceola herein.  His understated vocal style brings to mind someone with whom you could sit on your front porch and swap a few tales over a few cold ones.

He has a “feel” for this type of material and the era when it grew in popularity, too.  Check out his touch of Vaudeville incorporated into “Miss The Mississippi And You,” by way of a yodeling break at the bridge.  Longtime friend Kurt Anderson adds an authentic touch as they duet on the Jimmie Rodgers classic, “My Old Pal.”  Andy even channels the sexual swagger of Memphis Minnie in his renditions of “Me And My Chauffeur” and the lively tale of a “cow” noted for her “sweet milk” in “Soo Cow Soo.”  An updated version of “Railroad Blues” makes reference to President Obama, while the instrumental “Honky Tonk Train” showcases Andy’s barrelhouse piano chops.  The original “Jim Dickinson Stomp” is a rather subdued piece dedicated to the famed Memphis producer.  The set closes on another somber note with “Tennessee Blues,” written by the late Bobby Charles.  It is highlighted by the hauntingly-beautiful backing vocals of Andy’s wife, Larkin Bryant.

We had two favorites, too.  On “Cairo Blues,” (pronounced KAY-roe), we are warned that “those Cairo women” might start out as sweet, but will “beat you, knock you, and cut you, too!”  And, Andy makes you really feel the angst and irony from the main character in Woody Guthrie’s “Mean Talkin’ Blues,” about a man who “loves to hate and hates to love!”

A successful bluesman needs to be a good storyteller and have just a bit of snake-oil salesman in him.  Andy Cohen makes you feel that you’re a part of his stories-in-song, and “Built Right On The Ground” is quite an enjoyable listen!!   Until next time…..Sheryl and Don Crow. 

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