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Bern's father had shortened the fam- his five albums into your CD player,
ily name. "I thought a long time
you get a slice of his life. A prolific
about changing the name and was
writer — composing one or more
adamant for a while that people
songs daily — he generally pulls
should call me Bernstein," the musi-
something new out at each concert.
cian says.
It's his accessibility, along with his
Though not an overriding factor, he talent, that has built a loyal following
considered the
of fans who trade
career implications:
tapes, proselytize on
His first full-length
his behalf and
album was 1997's
sometimes follow
self-titled Dan Bern.
the tour from city
He ultimately
to city.
,isk 1%r
decided he could be
NEW AMERICAN LANGUAGE
But the various
Bernstein without
slices didn't.always
making a legal or a
make such a great
public change. "I
pie. When it was
wanted to safeguard
time to make an
the name Bernstein
album, he'd mine
for myself," he says,
some favorite songs
explaining that his
he'd written and put
The new album includes a
friends call him
them together. The
compelling song, "God Says
Bernstein, while his
sly social observa-
No," the most recent of Bern's
voicemail message
tions, energy and
public conversations. with God.
identifies him as
audacity of some of
both Dan Bern and
the songs made
Bernstein.
these albums worthy
Though Bern per-
efforts, but they
forms on Friday nights, it was likely
never quite fit as a whole.
no coincidence the release of his new
And while there is still no substi-
album and his latest tour didn't corn-
tute for a live concert, his new album
mence until after the fall flurry of
is different.
Jewish holidays came to a close. The
Brandon Kessler, whose Messenger
fact that his sister is a cantor and that
Records released New American
he spent time with her in Israel in
Language earlier this month, is excit-
1993 also helped shape his Jewish
ed that the new album shows off
identity.
Bern in a new way. An early and
The new album includes a corn-
ardent fan, Kessler is glad to be work-
pelling song, God Says No, the most
ing closely with Bern, whom he cut a
recent of his public conversations with deal with after Bern and Sony split.
God. In the song, Bern, or maybe
"The new album leaves his folk
Bernstein, asks God to let him pre-
roots choking in the dust storm
vent the suicide of Kurt Cobain (of
kicked up by a powerful five-piece
Nirvana), murder Adolph Hitler and
rock band," Bern's promo material
heal Jesus from his wounds.
says.
God turns down the requests,
The band is on tour with him. And
explaining that "time belongs to me,
this time, songs were written for the
time's my secret weapon, my final
album rather than cutting an album
advantage."
because Bern thought he had some
As you would suppose, you should-
great songs to get out.
n't take Bern's public exchanges with
And what can you expect from the
God as the sum of his private God-
show at The Ark? Bern's sure you
wrestling. "Not everything is in song
don't,want to know.
form," he notes. "But I continue to
"Just trust me. Don't bring expecta-
expand the conversation.
tions because if you do, something is
"Part of what I do is personal stuff,
bound to disappoint," he insists.
abstract stuff, but also what I do is
"From show to show there is variety.
reportage," Bern says. He was in New
Come open to the experience."
York on Sept. 11 and says he saw the
towers of the World Trade Center fall.
Two songs inspired by the experience,
Dan Bern performs at The Ark
including NYC911, are getting airplay
in Ann Arbor 8 p.m. Wednesday,
in New York, and have shown up on
Oct. 31. $13.50. (734) 761-
some of his set lists.
1451. For more information or
Don't get the idea that Bern is dis-
to order his albums, go to
tant or unapproachable. When you
www.danbern.com .
see him in concert or pop in one of

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