Purple Mountains isn’t an easy listen for me but still love the Silver Jews. I talked about him and his music for weeks after his death. Songs mean so much to me.
I love and still listen to the Silver Jews albums, but the Purple Mountains album is pretty much my favorite album of all time and the way David recites the lyrics about all the hurt he has inside has a kind of comforting feeling knowing about the conclusions he had come to and being content with his fate, unlike some of the Silver Jews albums, particularly The Natural Bridge where he sounds a bit frightened singing about his demons and depression. R.I.P. D.C. Berman.
missing someone you've never met is a strange feeling. sometimes it feels dishonest, as if you are romanticizing a real person. but david spoke to us and he was so brutally honest and vulnerable. i've read every poem i could find, i've listened to his songs over and over again until i could make sense out of his words. i have no idea what his life was like, and i can't even begin to imagine the pain he went through, but i do like to think he received a lot of love during his last moments. it's a shame that no amount of love can save our heroes. i think of him every day - i also miss him as a friend. this video got me tearing up. let him be remembered.
Beautiful tribute. My copy of Actual Air is absolutely one of my most cherished possessions. Self Portrait at 28 still remains one of my absolute favorite poems 💜 We miss you David
So lovingly expressed, you perfectly mirrored my sad state. The certain something of the poetry of David Berman, simply beautiful. Even upon rereading he catches me, always breaking my heart just a little.
I do a lot of silly stuff on my channel - but this one was hard because I really felt a connection and joy with his work. Which doesn’t make sense - to use the word joy. Man, he turn a phrase.
I still miss him. It still sucks. Purple Mountains makes me ball every time I listen to it, and I still do listen to it, we need to live facing death down every day, right, being towards death is how we become Human (according to some philosopher dude)…my band mates routinely discuss starting a DB tribute band, because he is simply the most impactful and insightful writer we’ve ever heard. RIP Mr Berman, I wish I’d told you how much you meant to me when you were still amongst us. Thanks for the video. I feel a bit less alone knowing other people still think about him and his work.
I’m someone who came very late into the game who discovered his music more recently. I’ve listened to some of his music from his Silver Jews albums and some of the songs that he did for Purple Mountains and I gotta say he’s definitely a man who had such a way with words. He really knew how to convey his thoughts and feelings into beautiful poetry and made wonderful music out of them. It’s definitely sad to know what happened to him and the struggles he had went through. Honestly I really liked the way how you described everything about him. It had a lot of emotion and passion packed in with the praise for sure.
A friend of mine gave me a copy of American Water and Bright Flight when we were in college. I thought it was really weird at first but then it clicked. It's been a while since I've put it on. I'll have to check out Purple Mountains and that poetry book. Another band I got into in college is Love as Laughter. Their frontman Sam Jayne took his own life fairly recently too.
I can't listen to Purple Mountains but I'm able to listen to the Silver Jews. Silver Jews always has been a band to pull me out of depressive episodes since I was a teenager
Amen! Sometimes I just can’t listen. Other times . I’m just pissed off at him. Sometimes I can’t stop listening.Then I remember the darknesses I’ve walked through, and am just sad he’s gone. I miss him too bro. So many parallels to Dylan, except Bob found hope in Jesus.
You're underplaying your roll in the amount that you help people understand the man. The seriousness and tone that you take is just perfect to a young poet who aspires to be close to the greatness that this man is. It's unbelievable the thigs he's been able to incapsulate into his work and I cannot wait to read his book after listening to his songs. thank you for being out there for people like me who need to hear others dedicated to works like this. You're amazing, thank you.
This is so very kind. My channel is a bit silly (so state the obvious) but David Berman was so special. I was nervous making it because I couldn’t hide behind schtick but I meant every word I said about what he meant to me. I did my best on his biography and with respect. There will be academic avenues about him in the future that will be thoughtful and well meaning. But what he made me feel…smiles and sorrows and all…is what I think about. Thank you so much again.
Thank you so much for this. Since David Berman died, I haven't been able to listen to his new music, though I have been re-reading his poems. I searched for him on youtube today, thinking I might find something I haven't seen before - and that's how I found this. I really connected with your feelings here. Sending love across the sea. x
Thank you so much for this comment. As you can most likely see my channel is on the bit of the “too much” side lol. That said - I really wanted to put something into this video because David Berman meant so much to me. His music and words. I’m both embarrassed and excited I showed up in this search - but most importantly I just met someone who feels the same way I do about David and The Silver Jews. Hope things are good across the sea. I hope to be across the sea in Ireland and UK this summer. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment on this video. Maybe the hardest one I have done (considering my act 🙃)
Purple Mountains is his best work imo. Melodic and catchy but with really sad lyrics that often read like a suicide note. Anyway if you like David Berman and haven’t checked out Sparklehorse, you’re missing out.
I feel your pain. I can return to the Silver Jews without sadness, as Berman had closed that period of his life and it feels complete, but the purple Mountains album is not so easy. There was the promise of a future, a new venture, a light at the end of the tunnel. Sadly that story will remain untold. As a fully baptised member of the First Presleyterian Church of Elvis the Divine, I'm a little unsure if I'm able to engage with a member of your denomination. I'll speak to my minister before any further communication.
I discovered Silver Jews late, through the link between Malkmusk (Pavement) whom I am a great fan of. So I listened to Berman's Silver Jews music and later Purple Mountains. Honestly I really liked it, like I like Malkmus's songs. Both of them are too seemingly alike, that may be the problem. How can two great artists be so close in style without one defeating the other? I remain sad but I am a fan of both.
I included Purple Mountains in a Country vinyl tag that was going around last year. The music and melodies belie the lyrics but fuck … - the humor & pathos in those rhymes. I agree, I can’t really put it on, maybe with more time. I just streamed Storyline Fever writing this….genius! RIP
The first minute reminded me of the theory of Death Of The Artist. Usually I think of it as when an artist has a falling out with their fans, but to hear you explain how you felt after his death, I think this scenario fits better….and means more. Great video Well said.
@@therevrockinrollin I heard that. But your presentation of David Berman was beautiful. You didn’t get over the top wankerish or fly off the handle like I did in that video. Very composed. Nicely done 😎
After the news this album sounded like a suicide note, I do still listen to it, but I hear so many hints that I missed on my original listens. I will always love silver jews, but the purple mountains album will always resonate with me, because of the sadness I connect it to.
Course I've been humbled by the void Much of my faith has been destroyed I've been forced to watch my foes enjoy Ceaseless feasts of schadenfreude And as the pace of life keeps quickening Beneath the bitching and the bickering When I try to drown my thoughts in gin I find my worst ideas know how to swim
I am trying to get at something so simple that I have to talk plainly so the words don’t disfigure it, and if it turns out that what I say is untrue, then at least let it be harmless like a leaky boat in the reeds that is bothering no one.
Purple Mountains isn’t an easy listen for me but still love the Silver Jews. I talked about him and his music for weeks after his death. Songs mean so much to me.
Thank you. Today was his birthday. Always amd forever, these moments.
I love and still listen to the Silver Jews albums, but the Purple Mountains album is pretty much my favorite album of all time and the way David recites the lyrics about all the hurt he has inside has a kind of comforting feeling knowing about the conclusions he had come to and being content with his fate, unlike some of the Silver Jews albums, particularly The Natural Bridge where he sounds a bit frightened singing about his demons and depression.
R.I.P. D.C. Berman.
missing someone you've never met is a strange feeling. sometimes it feels dishonest, as if you are romanticizing a real person. but david spoke to us and he was so brutally honest and vulnerable. i've read every poem i could find, i've listened to his songs over and over again until i could make sense out of his words. i have no idea what his life was like, and i can't even begin to imagine the pain he went through, but i do like to think he received a lot of love during his last moments. it's a shame that no amount of love can save our heroes. i think of him every day - i also miss him as a friend. this video got me tearing up. let him be remembered.
I just hope I did him Justice. I have such a silly channel but David’s art meant so much to me. Thank you so much for watching.
Beautiful tribute. My copy of Actual Air is absolutely one of my most cherished possessions. Self Portrait at 28 still remains one of my absolute favorite poems 💜 We miss you David
Gatdamn…this is gorgeous and respectfully said ❤️ Thank you
So lovingly expressed, you perfectly mirrored my sad state. The certain something of the poetry of David Berman, simply beautiful. Even upon rereading he catches me, always breaking my heart just a little.
I do a lot of silly stuff on my channel - but this one was hard because I really felt a connection and joy with his work. Which doesn’t make sense - to use the word joy. Man, he turn a phrase.
@therevrockinrollin No it does make sense, that's his great gift: is giving joy to the World in spite of his own suffering.
Thank you. I feel so blessed to have been a fan of David. I will always draw inspiration from his music and his art.
Great sermon. Sad & beautiful!
I still miss him. It still sucks. Purple Mountains makes me ball every time I listen to it, and I still do listen to it, we need to live facing death down every day, right, being towards death is how we become Human (according to some philosopher dude)…my band mates routinely discuss starting a DB tribute band, because he is simply the most impactful and insightful writer we’ve ever heard. RIP Mr Berman, I wish I’d told you how much you meant to me when you were still amongst us. Thanks for the video. I feel a bit less alone knowing other people still think about him and his work.
I’m someone who came very late into the game who discovered his music more recently. I’ve listened to some of his music from his Silver Jews albums and some of the songs that he did for Purple Mountains and I gotta say he’s definitely a man who had such a way with words. He really knew how to convey his thoughts and feelings into beautiful poetry and made wonderful music out of them. It’s definitely sad to know what happened to him and the struggles he had went through.
Honestly I really liked the way how you described everything about him. It had a lot of emotion and passion packed in with the praise for sure.
this made my cry
A friend of mine gave me a copy of American Water and Bright Flight when we were in college. I thought it was really weird at first but then it clicked. It's been a while since I've put it on. I'll have to check out Purple Mountains and that poetry book. Another band I got into in college is Love as Laughter. Their frontman Sam Jayne took his own life fairly recently too.
Rev. Opening the rabbit hole once again. Danke.
I teared up listening to this video. So beautiful and heartfelt. Thank you ✨♥️
Man, I hope I did ok. It wasn’t worthy of what his work meant to me but I’m really happy you watched. I miss him.
@@therevrockinrollin You were stellar! *Much love from Canada 🇨🇦
I can't listen to Purple Mountains but I'm able to listen to the Silver Jews. Silver Jews always has been a band to pull me out of depressive episodes since I was a teenager
I can too. And I appreciate them all the more. I hope this video was decent enough for hos legacy.
incredibly cathartic and emotional to head you talk about david
Amen! Sometimes I just can’t listen. Other times . I’m just pissed off at him. Sometimes I can’t stop listening.Then I remember the darknesses I’ve walked through, and am just sad he’s gone. I miss him too bro. So many parallels to Dylan, except Bob found hope in Jesus.
You're underplaying your roll in the amount that you help people understand the man. The seriousness and tone that you take is just perfect to a young poet who aspires to be close to the greatness that this man is. It's unbelievable the thigs he's been able to incapsulate into his work and I cannot wait to read his book after listening to his songs. thank you for being out there for people like me who need to hear others dedicated to works like this. You're amazing, thank you.
This is so very kind. My channel is a bit silly (so state the obvious) but David Berman was so special. I was nervous making it because I couldn’t hide behind schtick but I meant every word I said about what he meant to me. I did my best on his biography and with respect. There will be academic avenues about him in the future that will be thoughtful and well meaning. But what he made me feel…smiles and sorrows and all…is what I think about. Thank you so much again.
@@therevrockinrollin Of course, and thanks again for making your video about him. He was incredible
Thank you so much for this. Since David Berman died, I haven't been able to listen to his new music, though I have been re-reading his poems. I searched for him on youtube today, thinking I might find something I haven't seen before - and that's how I found this. I really connected with your feelings here. Sending love across the sea. x
Thank you so much for this comment. As you can most likely see my channel is on the bit of the “too much” side lol. That said - I really wanted to put something into this video because David Berman meant so much to me. His music and words. I’m both embarrassed and excited I showed up in this search - but most importantly I just met someone who feels the same way I do about David and The Silver Jews. Hope things are good across the sea. I hope to be across the sea in Ireland and UK this summer. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment on this video. Maybe the hardest one I have done (considering my act 🙃)
Purple Mountains is his best work imo. Melodic and catchy but with really sad lyrics that often read like a suicide note. Anyway if you like David Berman and haven’t checked out Sparklehorse, you’re missing out.
Okay, you convinced me to check his work out. I had heard his name a few times, mention of Silver Jews and Purple Mt. but never pursued it.
I feel your pain. I can return to the Silver Jews without sadness, as Berman had closed that period of his life and it feels complete, but the purple Mountains album is not so easy. There was the promise of a future, a new venture, a light at the end of the tunnel. Sadly that story will remain untold.
As a fully baptised member of the First Presleyterian Church of Elvis the Divine, I'm a little unsure if I'm able to engage with a member of your denomination. I'll speak to my minister before any further communication.
This was deep. I’m sorry I’m late to reply. It’s almost like I didn’t want to come back to the video of an artist I can’t come back to lol
Quality sermon, sir. I approve.
I discovered Silver Jews late, through the link between Malkmusk (Pavement) whom I am a great fan of. So I listened to Berman's Silver Jews music and later Purple Mountains. Honestly I really liked it, like I like Malkmus's songs. Both of them are too seemingly alike, that may be the problem. How can two great artists be so close in style without one defeating the other? I remain sad but I am a fan of both.
I included Purple Mountains in a Country vinyl tag that was going around last year. The music and melodies belie the lyrics but fuck … - the humor & pathos in those rhymes. I agree, I can’t really put it on, maybe with more time. I just streamed Storyline Fever writing this….genius! RIP
RIP
Thank you for this comment - it was awesome
The first minute reminded me of the theory of Death Of The Artist.
Usually I think of it as when an artist has a falling out with their fans, but to hear you explain how you felt after his death, I think this scenario fits better….and means more.
Great video
Well said.
Loved this Rev. Preach it ❣️❣️❣️
I mention your legendary “wanker” video in the whole clip lol
@@therevrockinrollin I heard that. But your presentation of David Berman was beautiful. You didn’t get over the top wankerish or fly off the handle like I did in that video. Very composed. Nicely done 😎
Preach Rev!!! 🙌
Can’t stop
Won’t stop
Damn bro. Nice
After the news this album sounded like a suicide note, I do still listen to it, but I hear so many hints that I missed on my original listens.
I will always love silver jews, but the purple mountains album will always resonate with me, because of the sadness I connect it to.
Thank you for this video. Do you know if there's a way to get Actual Air at a reasonable price ?
I do think they did other editions. Some may** have a different cover.
Course I've been humbled by the void
Much of my faith has been destroyed
I've been forced to watch my foes enjoy
Ceaseless feasts of schadenfreude
And as the pace of life keeps quickening
Beneath the bitching and the bickering
When I try to drown my thoughts in gin
I find my worst ideas know how to swim
I am trying to get at something so simple
that I have to talk plainly
so the words don’t disfigure it,
and if it turns out that what I say is untrue,
then at least let it be harmless
like a leaky boat in the reeds
that is bothering no one.
They Might Be Giants is a turn off