Dan is an amusing singer, songwriter, guitarist and harmonica player. He takes folk rock to a completely different level with his clever visual lyrics that can be caustic, political and insightful. Dan is quick to joke about himself or the listeners such as the man who arrived late and happened to get a seat right up front. Bern was quick to point this out and referred to the man as the pope of the room. The jesting would continue into the second set where Dan found out that the pope played piano. Bern insisted that the man accompany him on the piano that was up against the living room wall. Moving to the back of the room Dan and the pope played 'Coming Around the Mountain' and the whole room sang along. Our host Drew played harmonica as Dan strummed his guitar and stamped a beat with his big feet.

The first set of the evening contained a dozen songs including two tracks about trains complete with sound effects and a bit of yodeling. Dan has amazing control of his voice and can a hold a long note.

Bern seems to have an unusual obsession with the sacred realm with a twist. Many of his songs blended religious stories with contemporary concerns along with a heavy dose of humor i.e. the story of Joe Christ the bar owner and his wife Mary. But, the stirring 'God Said No' was a definite highlight of the evening. This song reveals man's desire to go back and change injustices and evil intentions of powerful persons. The protagonist asks God to let him go back in time to stop Hitler or halt the crucifixion of Jesus Christ but each time "God Says No" – knowing that the fallible human spirit would fail or be self-serving when push comes to shove.

Protest songs and commentary on current events and politics were also topics handled competently by Bern and his beat up acoustic Martin guitar. Yet the chords were crisp and the vocals were compelling.

After a short intermission, Dan fiddled on his guitar tuning it lower for the first slightly mellow song. At this point Bern had moved to the back of the living room. His second set was looser and more spontaneous. At times, it seemed that Dan was crafting lyrics as he went along.

Bern is a quick witted performer and kept the pace going the whole night. Dan played some of the audience's requests but joked that he made a few mistakes on the one song that Drew our host had requested. He also introduced several recently written songs and made references to his recent prolific output of new music.

The Dan Bern house concert was a tremendous success and fans had an opportunity to talk to Dan after the show before he returned to New York City, where he was scheduled to perform later in the week.

Dan Bern got up close and personal at the Cupsaw House Concert.

Related Links: For more information on DAN BERN and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links -- Dan Bern | Buy "Fleeting Days"

Originally Published: 04/26/2004 on Kweevak.com