Has Mudcat discussed Dan Bern?

Subject: Has Mudcat discussed Dan Bern?
From:
Date: 30 May 00 - 07:33 PM

I fell onto Planet Mudcat just 6 weeks ago and have been enjoying the scenery. Dan Bern is a personal favorite and I'd like to ask/say a few things but don't want to repeat points already made. A few comments would guide my eager fingers. -- thanz

Subject: RE: Has Mudcat discussed Dan Bern?
From: bflat
Date: 30 May 00 - 07:46 PM

I rather like Dan (Bernstein) Bern. Don't know why he's shorten his name but a lot of folks do that. He likes the shock value of some vulgar words but setting that aside he seems to have strong social commitment and uses his extraordinary gift with words and music to get out his message. I will not make comparisons to other performers. He stands alone very well.

Subject: RE: Has Mudcat discussed Dan Bern?
From: MsMoon
Date: 31 May 00 - 11:19 AM

I am great admirer of Dan Bern! A friend took me to see him in Philly a few years ago. I had not heard of him before. Well, at the start of the show it was clear there was something wrong with the sound mix. The drums were drowning out all Bern's guitar, and his mike was fuzzy. Some members if the independent-spirited audience started calling out between songs that there was a problem. Dan tried fixing it, adjusting his levels right on stage, very calm and casual. When it became evident that there wasn't going to be a quick fix, he said, "What the hell? Let's just play acoustic." He invited the entire audience (about 500) to just leave their seats and scoot right up to sit on the stage around him, and played acoustic. His drummer played brushes on an aluminum folding chair. It was fantastic...a very creative solution to the problem, and it made the atmosphere warm and personal and a thousand times more intimate. After that show I have remained a big fan. He's smart and clever and earnest and funny.

Subject: RE: Has Mudcat discussed Dan Bern?
From: Max
Date: 31 May 00 - 12:12 PM

I have played Dan Bern on Mudcat Radio. Can't say it went over real well, but I'm a fan. There was an unanswered request here, but that was about it for discussion here.

Subject: RE: Has Mudcat discussed Dan Bern?
From:
Date: 31 May 00 - 04:50 PM

Thank you, Timbrel (as in "praise Him with harp and timbrel"?). I saw Dan B. at the Bottom Line and there were no audio problems. His audience (me too) was appreciative, altho Dan did not play audience requests. In my days as English teacher (no longer) I wowed teenagers with is not very widely circulated "When Kurt Cobain blue out his brain, all the little girls they cried like rain." My favorite is the 7-minute "Wasteland." The first couple time I heard it I was frightened by its power, it's inditement of our culture. -- Harold

Subject: RE: Has Mudcat discussed Dan Bern?
From: Pene Azul
Date: 31 May 00 - 10:46 PM

Here's Bernstein Headquarters.

PA

Subject: RE: Has Mudcat discussed Dan Bern?
From: GUEST,Bill H
Date: 01 Jun 00 - 07:46 PM

Having seen Dan Bern in performance as well as having heard his music on the air I would say this:

He is a very bright and talented and erudite individual. He also knows what the public likes. That being said, I think with all his insights he is appealing to the lowest possible common denominator.

The English language---as all others has wonderful way of expressing thoughts---and melodious ones too. Shouting obscenities for effect never, to me, elevates anything. Be it a discussion, or the public consciousness.

That, however, seems to be his forte.

I also know that I am in the minority in my opinion of his music(?). But, as said at first---a very bright and intelligent person with a wonderful sense of humor.

Subject: RE: Has Mudcat discussed Dan Bern?
From: MsMoon
Date: 01 Jun 00 - 07:58 PM

I can only think of three recorded Dan Bern songs that contain obscenities...and many more that contain beautifully written lyrics, like "Oh, Sister" and "Rolling Away" and "Oklahoma"...about the Oklahoma City bombing. The famous "Aliens" incident in Philadelphia a few years ago really doesn't reflect the body of his music or the extent of his wit. But they probably do draw more airplay and garner more attention than his other songs.