Smartie Mine (1999)

About this title: Prolific writers need an outlet for their vast output, and the independently issued double disc Smartie Mine provides such a channel for Dan Bern. Following closely on the tail of the Ani DiFranco-produced Fifty Eggs (March 1998), Smartie Mine is his second record of the year and fourth in three years. Seemingly aimed at the converted and sold primarily at shows and by mail-order, Bern offers a collection of 21 new originals, three blues classics (plus the Beatles' "Blue Jay Way" added onto the end of "Cocaine Blues"), a duet with Martha Wainwright on her "Baby Love," and new versions of two ... read more

Tracks:

1. Smartie Mine [Bern]
2. One Thing Real [Bern]
3. Tiger Weeds [Bern]
4. Chelsea Hotel [Bern]
5. City of Models [Bern]
6. Krautmeyer [Bern]
7. Crosses [Bern]
8. Colors [Bern]
9. Airplane Blues [Estes/Hopkins]
10. Freight Train Blues [McDowell]
11. Talkin' Weedy, Bob, Bruce & Dan Blues [Bern]
12. Ballerina [Bern]
13. Simple [Bern]
14. Beautiful Trees [Bern]
15. Joe Van Gosh [Bern]
16. Little Russian Girl [Bern]
17. Gamblin' With My Love (Pete Rose) [Bern]
18. Murderer [Bern]
19. Alia [Bern]
20. Two-Month Affair [Bern]
21. Baby Love [Wainwright]
22. Sculpter [Bern]
23. Dark Chocolate [Bern]
24. Decadent Town [Bern]
25. Hooker [Bern]
26. Cocaine Blues/Blue Jay Way [Davis/Harrison]
27. True Revolutionaries [Bern]

Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is further described below.