12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One Thing Real, September 6, 2002
This review is from: Fifty Eggs (Audio CD)
I acquired this album when several people I know recommended Dan Bern's music to me. I am a self-avowed Bob Dylan fan, and they assured me that if I liked Dylan I would love Dan Berg. Of course, I was being partially set up. When this Dylan-like voice erupted from my speakers singing 'Tiger Woods,' an exceptionally bawdy ode to anatomy, I was more than a little amazed. Yes, Dan Bern can sound a lot like Bob Dylan, but his mind is on a completely different planet.
Which is just fine by me. Who really needs a Dylan clone, one such artist is enough. It is a lot more fun to have the music stretch your head in a completely new direction and Bern is definitely headed there. It is a bit difficult to apply generalizations to his music. Often full of attitude or quirky, sometimes tender, always thoughtful. Just when you think you have got it figured out he tries something else. If 'Tiger Woods,' 'No Missing Link,' or 'Cure for AIDS' don't yank your chain you are a bit to stoic for me.
But just when you think "loud and brash," he changes styles. You find yourself listening to thoughtful ballads like 'One Thing Real,' 'One Dance,' or 'Monica.' He is also a master of the not quite love song. I'm not going to list any more of the songs, but I can assure you that they all have something special - something to consider or laugh about. Deceptively simple musically, his lyrics are every bit as rich as the man he sounds like.
Ani DiFranco plays an important part on this album, as side musician, backup vocal and producer. If anything, Bern has more in common with DiFranco than Dylan. He is up front with his feelings, impertinent with his questions, and brutally imaginative. He has definitely made a believer out of me. If you have a taste for the outlandish, this is an album to own.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Is the title a Cool Hand Luke reference?, June 7, 2000
This review is from: Fifty Eggs (Audio CD)
If you want warm and fuzzy, safe-as-mother's-milk music, stick with CSNY. If you want a challenging whack right up side your stupid head, Dan Bern is your man! This cd is amazing. "Tiger Woods" is unbelievably brilliant -- sheer in-your-face songwriting guts. I first heard it by chance on a compilation cd, noted the singer's name, then immediately went in search of his work. "Tiger Woods" is a must-hear for every wanna-be folkie singer-songwriter out there strumming a six string. Also noteworthy: "Oh, Sister" , "Monica", "Chick Singers". Every song on this cd is a winner.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent!, December 30, 2001
By A Customer
This review is from: Fifty Eggs (Audio CD)
This is a really great CD. Everyone in my family loves it, and "Oh sister" is one of my favorite songs. Many of Bern's songs on FIFTY EGGS very funny. This CD made our road trip from Philadelphia, PA to Albuquerque, NM much more enjoyable. I highly recommend it.
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