Album Notes

SONGS OF SURVIVAL & SWEET SURRENDER is a collection of ten soulful original Cat Cohen funky jazzy rock tunes that pays homage to the song styles of Dr. John, Randy Newman, Van Morrison, Steely Dan, and Mose Allison. Cat takes the discriminating listener on a gritty inspirational journey through contemporary struggles for physical, economic, emotional and spiritual survival in these challenging times.

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KEYBOARD MAGAZINE names CAT COHEN UNSIGNED ARTIST OF THE MONTH!

After years of penning songs for the likes of Bo Diddley and Freddie Hubbard, Los Angeles songwriting teacher, author, and keyboardist Cat Cohen decided to steal the spotlight for himself and record his debut album, Songs of Survival and Sweet Surrender. After hearing the highly likable, soulful opener, "Kindness Of Strangers", we're sure glad he did. Bringing to mind a more rock-oriented Mose Allison in both voice and creative style, Cat approaches singing and songwriting with a mix of fearlessness, light-hearted humor, and a strong social conscience: Songs like "Blaze Of Glory" stick it to the man using elements of gospel, jazz, and blues. Cat's piano work is the most pervasion keyboard element here, though he plays organ and synth horn parts with equal comfort and assurance. Play it, brother – Keyboard salutes you.

Michael Gallant
KEYBOARD MAGAZINE
February 2007

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REVIEW OF CAT COHEN'S ALBUM - SONGS OF SURVIVAL AND SWEET SURRENDER - RATED **

LONG OVERDUE CD BY A LEGENDARY LOS ANGELES WRITER/SINGER!
It's about time Cat Cohen had a CD out, and this is a mighty fine one. Beautifully produced by Ed Tree, this CD wonderfully showcases David's funk, humor, heart and soul. Listening to David is kind of like hearing Solomen Burke as channeled by a middle aged Jewish guy. A little strange at first, but ultimately a gas! There's lots of highlights-- but my faves are Greenhouse Effect which turns mankind's biggest challenge into a funky love song (right on David) and Ships in the Night which is just a stone cold beautiful love song. But the whole CD is shot full of good songwriting and soul. And did I mention the man plays a mean piano!
MARK WINKLER - APRIL 2007

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MUSIC CONNECTION - JAN 17TH, 2007

Prolific Los Angeles-based author, educator and songwriter Cat Cohen has two new projects. The first offering is a collection of 10 soulful, original, funky, jazzy rock tunes, titled Songs of Survival and Sweet Surrender. Coinciding with the  release of that item comes a new book, Songwriting for Your Original Act, that guides readers to create songs to enhance and illustrate their artistry. If you’d like to check them both out, log on to www.catcohen.com. 
DAN KIMPEL
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CAT COHEN is an ASCAP songwriter with pop, R&B, jazz and blues songs cut by recording artists Cheryl Lynn, Syreeta, Freddie Hubbard and with Bo Diddley. He also co-wrote a jazz instrumental featured in the HBO movie The Rat Pack as well as a funk tune for the hit Universal feature film Undercover Brother. Cat wrote the chapter on music theory for John Braheny's book The Craft And Business Of Songwriting. Cat has taught songwriting at UCLA Extension and is an artist development instructor at Musician's Institute in Hollywood and has just been added as a songwriting instructor at Cal Poly Pomona . He coaches keyboard players, singers and songwriters in private sessions in the L.A. area.

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His single BLUE STATE OF MIND/BUSH’S FOLLY was well received by some leading politicians. Here is what they had to say.

Thank you for the CD of self-composed songs (Blue State of Mind/Bush’s Folly). I will place it on public display in my office as property of the State of Wisconsin. Sen. Russell D. Feingold (D - Wisconsin)

Thank you for your copy of your CD (Blue State of Mind/Bush’s Folly). You were very thoughtful to include me in the distribution of this work. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D - New York)