If you don't know Kevin Coyne, the English social worker turned folk/rock singer expressing strong opinions about England in the 1970s and 1980s ... well if you don't know this guy, then it's certainly time to shell out some bucks and buy Dan Bern "Smartie Mine" (1999).
This is something. This is something real big and it's hard to believe that any TopForty station in the world would dare to play just one of Bern's songs. No way. These songs have something which makes you feel sick: they hit right into the middle of your belly, just right there where it hurts when it comes to be too complacent.
In difference to Kevin Coyne, Dan Bern sings about the US of A, the "Mother" of all countries (what a joke) and the cradle of democracy (what?). Well, Kevin Coyne did just that regarding England since 1973. Yep, no mis-spelling: 1973. But he's gone for some time, haven't heard of him for years.
But now there's Dan Bern filling in and delivering 27 songs on 2 CDs, all of which come to the core instantly. His voice is sometimes like early Bob Dylan, but his music is something completely different. It uses all kinds of styles and rhythms, but it does so in a "chamber music" format.
It sounds very "un-plugged" (a catch-word). It actually sounds as if the songs were recorded in one take. They sound particularly spontaneous, though the lyrics are certainly not written in a second. They are well-crafted and they spell out societal issues in the most clear way.
Kelly Joe Phelps is a different kind of music. "Roll away the stone (1997)" and his latest CD "Shine eyed mister zen (1999)" are blues with a big "B". It's blues with one man and his guitar. Kelly Joe Phelps is exciting to say the least. His guitar play is outstanding in terms of emotion and intelligence. Hardly anyone else can play an acoustic guitar in such a comprehensive way.
He simply is a master, and there is no idea where he learnt what he performs. Guess, it's in his genes somehow, though he represents the best of blues guitar ever played on Mother Earth. Phelps sings with an extraordinarily soft voice full of concern with each and every word he delivers. He "knows" what he's singing about.
This is something. This is something real big and it's hard to believe that any TopForty station in the world would dare to play just one of Bern's songs. No way. These songs have something which makes you feel sick: they hit right into the middle of your belly, just right there where it hurts when it comes to be too complacent.
In difference to Kevin Coyne, Dan Bern sings about the US of A, the "Mother" of all countries (what a joke) and the cradle of democracy (what?). Well, Kevin Coyne did just that regarding England since 1973. Yep, no mis-spelling: 1973. But he's gone for some time, haven't heard of him for years.
But now there's Dan Bern filling in and delivering 27 songs on 2 CDs, all of which come to the core instantly. His voice is sometimes like early Bob Dylan, but his music is something completely different. It uses all kinds of styles and rhythms, but it does so in a "chamber music" format.
It sounds very "un-plugged" (a catch-word). It actually sounds as if the songs were recorded in one take. They sound particularly spontaneous, though the lyrics are certainly not written in a second. They are well-crafted and they spell out societal issues in the most clear way.
Kelly Joe Phelps is a different kind of music. "Roll away the stone (1997)" and his latest CD "Shine eyed mister zen (1999)" are blues with a big "B". It's blues with one man and his guitar. Kelly Joe Phelps is exciting to say the least. His guitar play is outstanding in terms of emotion and intelligence. Hardly anyone else can play an acoustic guitar in such a comprehensive way.
He simply is a master, and there is no idea where he learnt what he performs. Guess, it's in his genes somehow, though he represents the best of blues guitar ever played on Mother Earth. Phelps sings with an extraordinarily soft voice full of concern with each and every word he delivers. He "knows" what he's singing about.
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