The Phoenix Network:
 
 
About  |  Advertise
Adult  |  Moonsigns  |  Band Guide  |  Blogs  |  In Pictures
 
CD Reviews  |  Classical  |  Live Reviews  |  Music Features

Silver Jew | Drag City DVD

Drag City (2008)
By JEFF TAMARKIN  |  October 8, 2008
2.5 2.5 Stars
silverjew5inside.jpg
Singer-songwriter David Berman’s somewhat random decision to name his outfit Silver Jews in the early ’90s ensured that they would never find favor among massive numbers of fans. Berman’s aversion to performing live didn’t help. All the same, Silver Jews built a sizable following for their literate indie-rock recordings. But then, more than a dozen years into the band, a funny thing happened: Judaism found David Berman. He decided to tour the 2006 incarnation (which includes his wife, Cassie, on bass), and to include stops in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem on the itinerary. Silver Jew, Michael Tully’s 52-minute home movie/documentary, follows the band as they schlep around Israel touring, shopping, and playing a handful of gigs. “This thing that had been a millstone around my neck was actually my ticket out of my hellhole life,” says Berman, who admits to having overcome a drinking problem. But though it’s clear he was moved by his experiences in the Holy Land, his deadpan delivery and changeless expression can make it difficult to tell. It’s not till he reaches the Wailing Wall, dons tefillin, and recites a prayer that a genuine display of emotion cracks through, in the form of a sob.
Related: Silver Jews, Quitters, tinklers, tacklers, and whoppers, Rare, please!, More more >
  Topics: CD Reviews , Culture and Lifestyle, Religion, Judaism,  More more >
  • Share:
  • Share this entry with Facebook
  • Share this entry with Digg
  • Share this entry with Delicious
  • RSS feed
  • Email this article to a friend
  • Print this article
Comments

[ 11/27 ]   Pixies + Jay Reatard  @ Wang Theatre
[ 11/27 ]   They Might Be Giants  @ Wolf Den @ Mohegan Sun
[ 11/27 ]   Legends In Concert  @ Fox Theatre @ Foxwoods
[ 11/27 ]   John Fogerty  @ MGM Grand @ Foxwoods
[ 11/27 ]   Fat Angus  @ Steve’s Backstage Pass
ARTICLES BY JEFF TAMARKIN
Share this entry with Delicious
  •   TOM WAITS | GLITTER AND DOOM LIVE  |  November 17, 2009
    Arriving five years after his last release of new material, and two after the three-disc Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards box of outtakes and oddities, this live set culled from assorted 2008 gigs could be seen as a time marker.
  •   ROSANNE CASH | THE LIST  |  September 28, 2009
    In 1973, when she was an 18-year-old rock fan, Rosanne Cash's dad gave her a list of songs he felt she should know — mostly country, all falling under the current banner Americana. She held onto that list, and now she's recorded a dozen tunes from it.
  •   REVIEW: BEBEL GILBERTO | ALL IN ONE  |  September 24, 2009
    There couldn’t be a more apropos title than the one Bebel Gilberto has given her fourth album.
  •   GEORGE THOROGOOD | THE DIRTY DOZEN  |  July 22, 2009
    Before you press PLAY, you know what you're going to get on The Dirty Dozen : music to drink lots of beer by.
  •   SON VOLT | AMERICAN CENTRAL DUST  |  July 15, 2009
    With American Central Dust , Jay Farrar has now accomplished something he was unable to do either during Son Volt's initial run (1995-99) or his evidently aborted solo career (2001-04): released three consecutive albums of undeniable quality.

 See all articles by: JEFF TAMARKIN

MOST POPULAR
RSS Feed of for the most popular articles
 Most Viewed   Most Emailed 



  |  Sign In  |  Register
 
thePhoenix.com:
Phoenix Media/Communications Group:
TODAY'S FEATURED ADVERTISERS
Copyright © 2009 The Phoenix Media/Communications Group