This is a special Saturday post because I am extremely bummed out by David Berman's announcement that he is more or less wrapping up the Silver Jews. Berman wants to turn to writing - books? poetry? screenplays? - and is haunted by the fact that his band are "too small of a force to ever come close to undoing a millionth of all the harm" that his father, a right-wing lobbyist, has "caused". I want to wish David well in all his undertakings - and I'm as excited as anyone about a possible follow-up to his poetry book, Actual Air. But like Carl, I hope he is making his own glad choice - and is not directed by his father's sour one.
In any case, the Silver Jews are one of our favourite bands, and Berman one of our favourite lyricists. He is one of my favourite poets too, but as Berman has often insisted, these are two separate things. He is among the most beloved artists to Said the Gramophone, and in honour of him - in honour & celebration, not a memorial, as Berman has centuries left in his heart, - we have re-uploaded every Silver Jews song we have ever written about. The first was almost four years ago, the most recent just six weeks.
May the wind be at your back, David.
Said the Gramophone & the Silver Jews:
Dan on "Party Barge" and Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea.
Dec 11, 2008
Sean on "Strange Victory, Strange Defeat" and the Silver Jews live.
Sep 4, 2008
Dave Berman himself! On our blog! Answering questions!
Jun 12, 2008
Sean on "Frontier Index".
Nov 26, 2007
Dan on "Night Society".
Dec 29, 2006
Rachell Sumpter's painting for "Horse Leg Swastikas".
Jan 18, 2006
Dan on "How Can I Love You (If You Won't Lie Down)".
Jul 18, 2005
Dan on "How to Rent a Room".
Mar 7, 2005
I too miss the passing of this great band. Anybody who can write one of my fave openings to a song ever:
Where's the paper bag that holds the liquor?
Just in case I feel the need to puke.
Is someone to whom I will always listen. That couplet pretty much summed up my hs years in two lines.
Posted by: Michael Brett at January 24, 2009 4:12 PMFirst five links are broken. (An extra "
" at the end of the code.)
Also, just wanted to mention that we foresaw this! (Sort of!)
http://blogs.nashvillescene.com/nashvillecream/2008/12/bermans_thoughts_on_silver_jew.php
Posted by: Steve H. at January 24, 2009 4:31 PMOops, that didn't display. An extra line-break tag at the end of the URL code is what I was trying to say.
Posted by: Steve H. at January 24, 2009 4:33 PMThanks for the head's up, Steve H. Links are now fixed.
Posted by: Sean at January 24, 2009 4:59 PMawful news. urgh!
Posted by: ben at January 26, 2009 10:54 AM