Dan Bern - Fifty Eggs

Picking out a favorite from Dan Bern’s extensive discography is not an easy task, but Fifty Eggs is definitely a good place to start. Dan has the rare gift of making even the most taboo subjects acceptable. His Lenny Bruce-like wit wraps well around his topical songs, and even a line like, “When I go by black people’s cars, I always like the music from their radio better than mine,” works well.

In 1998, for his third CD, Dan Bern teamed up with fellow Folk troubadour and guest producer Ani Difranco. The result was something truly spectacular, and certainly not intended for the weak-humored.

Dan kicks off the CD with “Tiger Woods,” an ode on the golf prodigy and a tribute to Dan's anatomy. If you can’t handle the opening song on this CD, chances are Dan Bern is not your man. You may be better suited picking up a John Gorka CD.

Dan moves from blasting pop icons to speculating on how humans came to be. From there, you’re spun on a journey of fun and insightful answers to questions, including: What would happen if there was a cure for AIDS? What would the world do without chick singers? Why is there such a rift between the races in America? There’s also a song for Monica Seles, a tribute to Dan's sister, and a couple of touching love songs.

But that’s just the subject matter. On Fifty Eggs Dan parts more often than not with the key of G which so dominated his first two records, and his voice is starting to sound more like Dan Bern than Bob Dylan. Ani Difranco and crew bring creative backing vocals and instrumentation to the record, adding everything from live drums to children’s toy xylophone.

This is certainly not your everyday folk record, but Dan Bern is not your everyday folk artist. This CD is set up to surprise you and whack you with Dan’s leave-nothing-to-the-imagination insight.