Silver Jews: Bright Flight LP

Originally issued on Drag City in 2001, Silver Jews' Mark Nevers-produced fourth album Bright Flight was recorded in Nashville, TN sans Stephen Malkmus who was busy with the Jicks and his backing vocals duties are taken up here by David Berman's now wife Cassie Marrett. It's polished production and pedal steel guitars may reflect its recording locale, but the unsung Bright Flight is pure David Berman and as close to a solo record as anything the Silver Jews put out. With darkness comes strength, laid bare in these songs of passion.

 

"The first thing I remember about the recording of Bright Flight is that when we opened the door to Hum Depot's roller rink of a basement studio, the console was in a jillion pieces. Why we were the reason it got cleaned for the first time since 1972, who can say? Marky cussed heroically, recomposing the board while the Joos idled High Life ponies in the parking lot. Everyone was well in character by the time the reels sputtered to life.

 

"Mostly I recall catnapping under globe lights on and off for days with these incredible songs I'd only heard skeletons of at that point drifting through the lounge. Occasionally I was roused to harmonize, completely amazed with wonder to hear my own voice joined to this band that I had loved already for years. David says it's boring when people tell their dreams. Nevertheless, crowding around a laughing, out of tune piano singing "Let's Not and Say We Did" as Tony blew the lid off the joint is as wildly surreal today as it was then." - Cassie Berman