@calico992: As I wrote in my description, Jessie had signed up for an epilepsy research program at a hospital. Staff there monitored his brain activity, which is what all those wires are for. The hospital actually hoped Jessie and the others in the program had seizures while they were there so the hospital could study them. Jessie did not suffer a seizure while I was recording him.
I heard prison about 10 years ago for the first time, and it's an album that's stayed with me ever since. Even though my darkest days are behind me, there's something about his art that pinpoints a grim, beautiful concept like nothing else can.
I had a big interview two weeks back and they asked me some bullshit psychometric question about what the first song I'd put on my shiny new iPod. Party Balloon by Steven Jesse Bernstein was the answer. I didn't hear back.
Cool posting, Frank. Really nice rendition of this song. (He and that guitar got along so well, too...) I haven't seen the doc yet so maybe this is a silly question but did Pete Sillen ever see this?
wow...after twenty years of being aware of him and his writing and his spoken word, i never knew him to be a musician...this brought a tear to my eye. and that he wasn't too long for this world makes it sadder....
This is so very beautiful. Rest in peace, Jesse Bernstein. You were a true poet, never preoccupied with fame and glory. My "supper on the stove" is cooking right now, and -believe me- with this poem it has become the most delicious and heartwarming supper I have ever had.
I was lucky enough to buy a few of his books; Choking On Sixth, Personal Effects, I Am Secretly An Important Man, More Noise Please, Hermione and The Wraith.
To my surprise when I bought Hermione & The Wraith, I saw they were autographed! One of them to "My Darling Laurie" (1986) and one to "My Friend Holly" (1982)... I got a Sub Pop interview cassette too...
Is there any other published stuff I can find? I'm fanatical about his stuff!!!
This is incredible. A Cheery Jesse Bernstein! wow. We actually named a trophy after him for our golf foursome, The Mighty Chimps Golf club, for our "Lesser Milwaukee open" (remember the LMO, Hah) anyways that's my story, we loved his poetry. Secretly, and publicly, he was an important man... ;^D
Such a special soul, he saw the world through compassionate eyes, his words allow us to see and feel what he felt, lucid Jesse, a true poet. This video is a real gem.
I am a huge fan of SJB's work. I discovered his work as a teenager in the early 90s. I am always looking for more stuff on him. This is absolutely great!
i find it so sad that people call him ugly and stuff. He is so talented and writes awesome poems, and this song is amazing. I also happen to think he is adorable <3 xx lol ;D
I actually havn't really read or heard much of his work, so i wasn't. I just have a friend who told me about him, and he thinks that he is ugly, etc. But for me, it's not about his looks, he comes across as very talented, and to me, he is cute. haha (:
If you're a fan of Jesse you should know a feature documentary on him will be released in 2010. There is a fanpage on Facebook - become a fan to keep in the loop on screenings.
Search: "I AM SECRETLY AN IMPORTANT MAN" on facebook.
The film is directed by Pete Sillen (co-director of BENJAMIN SMOKE).
No matter who i discover in my life, no one haunts me more than SJB... I had never seen this, thanks to whoever uploaded. fucking wonderful and terrible.
Look in the mirror, Stevie. See? There's Stevie....
absolutely gorgeous, and very poignant. I never knew that he had such a lovely singing voice and played guitar so well. I must get round to finish off my animated film on him. Truly one of my all-time favourite writers.
I saw this at 911 Media Arts shortly after he killed himself. Though Youtube can't do this piece, or him, proper justice, this is a wonderful way to remember SJB.
Not to be morbid, but anyone please tell me what the hell happened to his head, and why there is tape all over it?
btw, I know he killed himself, I know he was a tortured soul.....
calico992 2 months ago
@calico992: As I wrote in my description, Jessie had signed up for an epilepsy research program at a hospital. Staff there monitored his brain activity, which is what all those wires are for. The hospital actually hoped Jessie and the others in the program had seizures while they were there so the hospital could study them. Jessie did not suffer a seizure while I was recording him.
videofrankvideo 2 months ago
Party Balloon. Good choice.
videofrankvideo 4 months ago
I heard prison about 10 years ago for the first time, and it's an album that's stayed with me ever since. Even though my darkest days are behind me, there's something about his art that pinpoints a grim, beautiful concept like nothing else can.
I had a big interview two weeks back and they asked me some bullshit psychometric question about what the first song I'd put on my shiny new iPod. Party Balloon by Steven Jesse Bernstein was the answer. I didn't hear back.
corpuscollossus 4 months ago
Wow! We loose all the greats!
gato71f 7 months ago
Cool posting, Frank. Really nice rendition of this song. (He and that guitar got along so well, too...) I haven't seen the doc yet so maybe this is a silly question but did Pete Sillen ever see this?
d7sfblab 7 months ago
Thanks!
Yeah, Pete and I emailed when he was gearing up for his doc. I'm pretty sure he's seen this one by now.
videofrankvideo 7 months ago
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stpdeli 11 months ago
Comment removed
stpdeli 11 months ago
what a fucking amazing tune, i really wish there were more like this one, gah!
gravyturns 1 year ago
Big fan of SJB. Thank you!
brain3864513 1 year ago
been a fan of his for a long time (prior to his death). never heard him sing or play guitar before. just wonderful! thanks to the uploader.
luxfero23 1 year ago
wow...after twenty years of being aware of him and his writing and his spoken word, i never knew him to be a musician...this brought a tear to my eye. and that he wasn't too long for this world makes it sadder....
jhkyle815 1 year ago 2
It's so hard to pick like that. I have such a hard time with it.
This song is very folk inspired, I enjoy it. Great to see footage of Jesse.
Velheim1334 1 year ago
I love Steven Jesse's album Prison. It's one of my all-time favorites. Never seen or heard him play the guitar before. THANK YOU!
RBRecruitment 1 year ago
This is so very beautiful. Rest in peace, Jesse Bernstein. You were a true poet, never preoccupied with fame and glory. My "supper on the stove" is cooking right now, and -believe me- with this poem it has become the most delicious and heartwarming supper I have ever had.
raulsoleimanio 1 year ago 2
I found Steven's CD when I was only 15-16... It has been with me since. A beautiful artist, a beautiful song, thank you.
aerothirteen 1 year ago
Those things on his head... they're monitoring his brain frequencies or something similar, right? Wrong?
nickthelick 1 year ago
Righto.
videofrankvideo 1 year ago
I was lucky enough to buy a few of his books; Choking On Sixth, Personal Effects, I Am Secretly An Important Man, More Noise Please, Hermione and The Wraith.
To my surprise when I bought Hermione & The Wraith, I saw they were autographed! One of them to "My Darling Laurie" (1986) and one to "My Friend Holly" (1982)... I got a Sub Pop interview cassette too...
Is there any other published stuff I can find? I'm fanatical about his stuff!!!
nickthelick 1 year ago
Sorry, but I'm unsure where to find other published stuff, other than searching online.
videofrankvideo 1 year ago
godly music
skrilius 1 year ago
This is incredible. A Cheery Jesse Bernstein! wow. We actually named a trophy after him for our golf foursome, The Mighty Chimps Golf club, for our "Lesser Milwaukee open" (remember the LMO, Hah) anyways that's my story, we loved his poetry. Secretly, and publicly, he was an important man... ;^D
handymandan100 1 year ago
i love this video.
proboscislounge 1 year ago
Comment removed
proboscislounge 1 year ago
I remember Jesse sitting on my mother's front lawn, teaching our friend Sarah how to play the guitar...I miss you, dear sir, dear friend.
lxsncqr 1 year ago
THANK YOU.
dogbeardbirdbeer 2 years ago
You are most welcome.
videofrankvideo 1 year ago
Holy Shit! This is UNBELIEVEABLE! Thank YOU for posting this..absolute WOW...wowwowwow....
stankerpooch 2 years ago
You are welcome.
videofrankvideo 1 year ago
Such a special soul, he saw the world through compassionate eyes, his words allow us to see and feel what he felt, lucid Jesse, a true poet. This video is a real gem.
creativefunnel 2 years ago 5
I am a huge fan of SJB's work. I discovered his work as a teenager in the early 90s. I am always looking for more stuff on him. This is absolutely great!
toonraver80 2 years ago
i have never seen this b4....thank you for posting, a side to a brilliant man, that i never saw...miss him and his brilliance everyday.
kikkinbut 2 years ago
i find it so sad that people call him ugly and stuff. He is so talented and writes awesome poems, and this song is amazing. I also happen to think he is adorable <3 xx lol ;D
QuinnyThePoohxxx 2 years ago
@QuinnyThePoohxxx
"people call him ugly"... -?
i get the feeling you're referring to his own poem, "face".
dogbeardbirdbeer 2 years ago
I actually havn't really read or heard much of his work, so i wasn't. I just have a friend who told me about him, and he thinks that he is ugly, etc. But for me, it's not about his looks, he comes across as very talented, and to me, he is cute. haha (:
QuinnyThePoohxxx 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
If you're a fan of Jesse you should know a feature documentary on him will be released in 2010. There is a fanpage on Facebook - become a fan to keep in the loop on screenings.
Search: "I AM SECRETLY AN IMPORTANT MAN" on facebook.
The film is directed by Pete Sillen (co-director of BENJAMIN SMOKE).
lachimafilms 2 years ago
No matter who i discover in my life, no one haunts me more than SJB... I had never seen this, thanks to whoever uploaded. fucking wonderful and terrible.
Look in the mirror, Stevie. See? There's Stevie....
expectador 2 years ago 2
absolutely gorgeous, and very poignant. I never knew that he had such a lovely singing voice and played guitar so well. I must get round to finish off my animated film on him. Truly one of my all-time favourite writers.
barney23 2 years ago
Really great and rare!
love it.......
kwarkie69 2 years ago
I knew he was an awesome poet, but this completely blows my mind. It's so beautiful and sad and hopeful at the same time. Thank you for posting it :)
Ninnative 2 years ago
You are very welcome.
videofrankvideo 1 year ago
thanks frank !
MrBrainSander 2 years ago
My pleasure!
videofrankvideo 1 year ago
I saw this at 911 Media Arts shortly after he killed himself. Though Youtube can't do this piece, or him, proper justice, this is a wonderful way to remember SJB.
Thanks for posting.
carlodave9 2 years ago
Thank you, carlodave9. Even though hope ultimately failed Jesse, I like remembering him singing about it.
videofrankvideo 2 years ago 4
You're welcome.
videofrankvideo 1 year ago