Singer-songwriters Jeffrey Gaines and Dan Bern recently shared a double bill at Rams Head on Stage, and Steve Satzberg was there to photograph the show.
The following article is adapted from press materials.
Jeffrey Gaines has been heralded for his soul-searching lyrics and his powerful live performances. With only his voice and a guitar for accompaniment, Gaines has earned a reputation as a captivating performer, entertaining his audiences worldwide.
Throughout his three-decade recording career, Gaines has maintained an impressive standard for soul-searching, introspective lyrics and catchy, uplifting melodies. Since bursting on the scene with his self-titled 1992 debut album, the charismatic singer-songwriter-guitarist has built a beloved body of recordings that’s won him a large and deeply devoted international fan base.
In 2001, Gaines’ release Always Be yielded a surprise hit in his deeply felt interpretation of Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes”; 2003’s Toward the Sun attracted even more critical accolades, with Mojo praising the “soul-folkie’s sexy growl” and The Boston Globe declaring that “Gaines’ soulful, wounded vocals make a case for his being one of pop’s finest singers.”
Watch Jeffrey Gaines cover “In Your Eyes” by Peter Gabriel on YouTube:
Jeffrey most recently released the album Alright in 2018.
Dan Bern has debuted a bunch of new songs, apparently in protest of the current political environment, suggesting he may release a new album soon! Meanwhile, he has written *thousands* of songs, among such other notable career and personal highlights as writing songs for the Judd Apatow film “Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story,” and Jonathan Demme’s film about Jimmy Carter. Interestingly, Bern has opened for The Who (Daltrey has covered Bern’s songs), is a member of the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and taught tennis to Wilt Chamberlain.
Last year, Dan released a remastered, first-time-on-vinyl edition of his 2001 masterpiece, New American Language. Starting Over, an all-new album of Bern songs was released last March.
At Rams Head on Stage on Feb. 1, drummer Shai Korman played with Dan. Dan also was joined by Kathy Norwine, who sang “Marilyn” with him.
Watch the official music video for “Marilyn” by Dan Bern on YouTube:
Bern and his work is something more ingrained than what “national treasure” can measure. What Bern has offered throughout a 30-album and counting career speaks to something deeper in us than any two-word workaround for actual criticism could define. Bern’s work takes those risks, and New American Language is his career’s most precarious statement. In a world filled with plenty of “safer” controversial subjects to write about, Bern could do that if he felt like it. We are better for his decision not to.
Here are some photos of Dan Bern performing at Rams Head on Stage on Feb. 1, 2025. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Steve Satzberg.
Here are some photos of Jeffrey Gaines performing at Rams Head on Stage on Feb. 1, 2025. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Steve Satzberg.
