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History hasnt known too many Jewish cowboys, but David Berman was one of them.
But we may suspect that he was in pain.
Their first and final album was released just a few weeks ago.
In retrospect, many of the LPs lyrics are near agonizing to listen to.
As heput itin a recent interview, I dont have time for language poetry anymore.
I dont want to throw people off anymore.
I dont want to bullshit.
He opened his masterpiece album, 1998sAmerican Waterby singing, In 1984, I was hospitalized for approaching perfection.
Thankfully for both him and those who loved him, he survived.
And not only did he survive, for a time, he seemed tothrive.
The Silver Jews was initially a slightly sarcastic name, given that Berman had been entirely secular.
But after his near-death experience, he connected with his heritage and religion.
Though he never became strictly observant, he came to find strength in Judaism.
But the musical portions arent what makes the documentary so revelatory, or what made us love David Berman.
For that insight, you have to wait until the end.
Berman tells the man he cant read Hebrew.
No worries, the man says just read the English translation.
Take care, lest your heart be lured away, and you turn astray, he continues.
Now he is weeping.
He completes the prayer and gasps for air as the ultra-Orthodox man unwraps thetefillinand another one comforts him.
He starts to laugh.
You know he has felt something.
He has known joy.
