Published on Mar 7, 2003
Dan Berggren is unlikely to be famous for his music. And while
on some level it’s a shame, I, for one, am kind of glad — because
fame would tarnish the sparkle of the Adirondacks’ wandering
folkie. He has wandered as far as Malawi and Bulgaria, but his
songs are straight out of the heartbeat and history of Upper New
York. DV regulars might remember his
Rooted In The Mountains as being one of my top ten
recordings for 2001; his latest release,
One With The Water, is his first new work since then.
Water is a collection of new and old songs from several past
cassette and CD releases, as well as seven new songs, loosely woven
around the theme of water; water that runs around us, runs through
our veins, and unites us all on some level. Theme albums are
difficult to pull off, but this one delivers; Berggren’s skill and
simplicity shines.
Production is excellent, stripped-down and bare bones; if you’re
looking for funky effects or engineering sleight-of-hand, look
elsewhere. Despite the varying times these songs were recorded
(from 1979 to the present day) the sound is pleasingly uniform.
Berggren’s skill as a musician is plain; he plays with skill and
passion.
What stands out is the songwriting. Berggren tells stories,
sometimes with spoken interludes between the songs; his wordplay
and singing is rich and elegant, and his voice is low, warm, and
comfortable, like an old flannel shirt. Highlights include “Be
Still,” the gentle “Lullaby,” “Looking For Answers” and the
reflective “Salt Water Poet.” This isn’t a CD to listen to if
you’re looking for power and majesty, but it’s a comfortable,
competent, wonderful reflection of the folk music tradition.
You, too, should be
One With The Water today.