Dan Bern & the IJBC, Fleeting Days (Messenger Records, 2003)

Listening to the big guy's new CD
laying in bed
the one his producer thinks he
never shoulda made
but it gets me going gets me
into the shower
what a shock to be awake at this early hour

Dan Bern wants to be one of those "big guys"! And on this, his latest, album, he makes a giant leap in that direction. He's one of those little guys they always talk about, we used to call 'em "new Dylans." Now they're all Elvis Costello-ey with dollops of Nick Lowe, and a touch of dobro to display their rootsiness. Hey! What's wrong with that?

Fleeting Days runs the gauntlet of influences as mentioned and stakes out a section of property very clearly labelled "Bern, Dan." It's all down to the songs! These tunes are catchy, and yet when you think you've got 'em figured out they veer off into new territory. The harmonies are tight, and creative, which is always a good sign. If they work at harmonies they definitely take things seriously.

Bern displays a distinct Costello song-writing touch, that sort of sneery vocal, on top of a solid rhythm and simple instrumentation. Bass (Brian Schey), guitars (Eben Grace), drums (Jake Coffin) and Wil Masisak's keyboards provide ample support to Bern's acoustic guitar. Everybody sings. The songs are about the lyrics and the tunes not about displaying instrumental virtuosity.

Some of the lyrics include interesting touches, like inside jokes and conjecture about public figures. He comments on theology, science fiction and baseball. He uses some strong images that you are easily transported into Bern's world. Naming a tune "Graceland" and beginning it with the same line as Paul Simon's classic tricks the listener into a false sense of security and then Bern lowers the boom!

Mississippi Delta
shining like a National guitar
Paul Simon wrote a song about
Graceland while driving in his car
Marc Cohn wrote that other one
It was a big hit
it made Marc Cohn real
I'm walking in Memphis
do I really feel the way I feel

What a question! Do we see things the way we really see them or are we programmed by our culture and all the input that filters into our heads as we listen to radio and TV? Can we see Graceland for ourselves anymore, or has it become iconic? I don't know! I'll let you know when I get there...but I do know that ten years ago, I wrote a short story about my own visit to Memphis and I haven't been there yet!

There are echoes of Woody Guthrie here, the ghost of Einstein, shadows of Elvis and even Adam and Eve. Bern's world is populated by a very intriguing mix of characters. It's a comfortable place to visit. It's a place that makes you think, and that's not a bad thing. For now, this reviewer is just going to listen to some more Dan Bern...maybe track down a couple more of his albums...and echo another song from Bern's pen.

Oh, don't make me leave, don't make me leave,
don't make me leave this place!