Music Reviews - by Dan Cohen

I'm looking to provide feedback and critique for artists in genres often overlooked by other reviewers, to say nothing of the general media - I'm talking about classical, jazz, world, and family music. I'm a seasoned writer and performer, trained as an opera singer at SF Conservatory, I've written for Disney, Nickelodeon, I'm a John Lennon Songwriting Contest Grand Prize Winner in the children's category...that's just to show I'm all over the map w/ my musical choices. And so are so many talented artists.

I'm familiar with all (okay, most) genres of classical, jazz, and pop music. As a reviewer, I've written for High Country News, SF Weekly and others. I'll be 'tough but fair'. The Spencer Tracy of Muse's Muse. I feel there's a lot of good music out there that's just not being heard, the Internet being so huge and radio being what it isn't. I aim to give a good boost or quote where possible, and a kick in the pants when necessary.

I'll be a careful listener who'll respond honestly and respectfully to both the artistic and the commercial elements of a given project. Cos if you've taken the time to make an album, you're well aware that every artist has got to be both a promoter and a performer. Too many performers shun the marketing end of their job, shortchanging themselves and the public. One of my goals, as an artist and as a newly minted Muse's Muse reviewer (jeez - say that five times fast: newly minted muse's muse reviewer, newly minted muse's muse - oh forget it), is to encourage you, the artist to view the promotional work as part of your artistic persona, and to be as creative about that as you are in the studio or on stage. But enough about me...

And to listeners, I say - sure, I love my good ol American (or British) rock & country & r&b. Al Green is my hero. There I said it. But open up. Lend an ear. Don't be narrow-minded. It's a wide world.