Marc Cohen had turned 28 and found himself in a funk. Living in New York City, he made some money as a backup singer while his singer-songwriting career went nowhere. James Tayor had suggested he travel, that visiting other places could reawaken his spirit.
Cohen took a trip to Memphis and it became transformative. Having spent time in that city, it is easy to see why. It is the first stop on the migration north, not only of people, but music, creating a stew of blues, jazz, country and gospel sounds.
A good Jewish boy from New York, Cohen found himself in unusual spiritual surroundings. He attended a service at the Reverend Al Green’s church (yes, that Al Green, who walked away from his singing career to devote himself to his ministry). He walked through the gates at Graceland, another type of religious shrine, this one to Elvis and he could sense the King walking beside him. And one night at the Hollywood Café, he sang back up on “Amazing Grace” for Muriel Davis Wilkins. The had an exchange when she said, “Tell me, are you a Christian Child” and he answered as only a good Jewish boy from New York could: “Ma’am, I am tonight.”
The trip proved to be a spiritual awakening that he put into what has become his signature song, “Walking in Memphis.” It captures the sense of the energy, hope and purpose that he found on that trip.
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YouTube: https://youtu.be/PgRafRp-P-o?si=IFTkoo-yREDugOCL
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/5fgkjhICZnqFctrV0AyuQD?si=38281c67602845aa