Other stuff like Dan Bern - Fifty Eggs?

Folsom · « **on:** 11 Jun 2008, 07:18 pm »

Just curious, I ripped the CD from a friend and now I am looking at maybe getting some of his stuff or something similar, it is almost like another genre do to the weirdness.

rockadanny · « **Reply #1 on:** 11 Jun 2008, 08:19 pm »

Bob Dylan? Vic Chesnutt?
That's about all who comes to mind. I have Dan's "dan bern" release - good stuff.

Papajin · « **Reply #2 on:** 11 Jun 2008, 08:24 pm »

Seeing a request for Dan Bern is something I would never have expected to see here... A friend of mine knew him when he was much younger and has some material from around 1985. He has a small Dan Bern website with a bit of info, some photos, and mp3's.

I went to see Bern live some years back I think at the Cubby Bear in Chicago. Was a smallish venue and he was quite entertaining. Really knows how to work the crowd and get the room going. I'd highly recommend seeing him in person if you get the chance.

Len_Dreyer · « **Reply #3 on:** 11 Jun 2008, 09:25 pm »

Here's some info to get your started. I have the Dan Bern and New American Language cds, both good.

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&searchlink=DAN|BERN&sql=11:gpfqxqy5ldje~T2

DavidS · « **Reply #4 on:** 12 Jun 2008, 12:38 am »

count me as a member of the Dan Bern fanclub - have seen him live 3 times and highly recommend him. Best was as a young guy at Bumbershoot in Seattle - Dan was probably mid-20's. Most memorable was his version of Route 66 - irreverent as much of his stuff. He broke a guitar string mid way- swore a blue streak - threw the guitar across stage and went to beater old piano that he hadn't played to this point and finished just solo piano and Route 66. I have been a fan ever since.

Definately big slice of americana and what a way with words. His song about deluding that he is Robby Zimmerman 2000 style and visiting what he imagines is an ailing Springsteen Woody Guthrie style is brilliant - always good for a chuckle. Should be a multi-millionaire like Springsteen if the world was fair. Everything he does is brilliant although the Billy Bragg left wing politics can get a little old quick. Much prefer his baseball and Charles Manson social commentary songs.

timind · « **Reply #5 on:** 12 Jun 2008, 12:50 am »

Fifty Eggs is fantastic! "No Missing Link," "Chick Singers," "One Real Thing." Some wonderful songwriting. I recommend "Boy Dog Van." especially if you want to hear the Dylan influence. He was in Indianapolis at a very small venue 3 or 4 years ago. See him if you can.
As for other stuff. Ani Difranco produced "Fifty Eggs" give her a listen. Also listen to Sufjan Stevens for some of the best "hard to classify" music I've heard in years.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #6 on:** 12 Jun 2008, 05:00 am »

Destroyer of Smiles...

Quote

..now I am looking at maybe getting some of his stuff or something similar...

Try some John Hiatt.....he's a good artist.

Folsom · « **Reply #7 on:** 12 Jun 2008, 05:23 am »

I am not that big of a fan of Dylan. I have wanted the CD Desire for awhile but that is about it. Frankly I like that Dan Bern is fun and controversial with plays on words. Bob Dylan has never been in your face enough for me, never fun enough.

To be honest I like the song Tiger Woods a lot. Oh yeah and Ani Defranco is coming to Missoula I think soon! I have Sufjan's Illinois CD, and I think the song titles were enough to tell me that much. I however like the aliveness of Dan Bern a lot compared to Sufjan.

Anyways thanks for the recommendation. I hope as I learn more about Dan Bern he is not too "left" as in Hillary Clinton or whatever. I will not lie I am pretty radical, like unions, things like that, but I am opposed to the yuppization of anything important, tyrants are tyrants whether they like gay people or not.