Marc Cohn - Careful What You Dream: Lost Songs and Rarities (2016)

Here, rustbelt troubadour Cohn compiles a selection of early tracks recorded before he struck gold with “Walking in Memphis,” from his 1991 debut. His nimble piano playing and wistful arrangements are in full effect on opener “Maestro,” a touching tale about a veteran musical arranger; tender guitar picking underpins the personal reflections of “Nowhere Fast,” which later shows up with affecting string accompaniment. While billed as demos, the songs are nuanced and carefully instrumented, revealing the talent Cohn had for spinning melancholy yarns from day one.