"I was editing late one night for my day job as a contract video producer when Seattle poet/songwriter Steven Jesse Bernstein called. It was shortly... more I was editing late one night for my day job as a contract video producer when Seattle poet/songwriter Steven Jesse Bernstein called. It was shortly after we'd worked together on a video commissioned by Seattle's Center on Contemporary Art. He'd signed up for an epilepsy research program at a nearby hospital. It paid $50 a night. While there, he'd written a new song and wanted me to tape it before he forgot how he was imagining performing it. The only thing I had handy was a cheapo VHS camcorder.
This is the result." - Frank Video, Seattle WA.


Frank works as a visual artist specializing in design, public art, and site-specific installation. As a video maker, Frank produces programs on transportation and other public sector issues. He has shown artwork at local galleries, European festivals, and regional events. His video programs have been accessioned into the Smithsonian Institute and have been recognized by the Annual Northwest Film and Video Festival, Seattle's Annual International Video Shorts Festival, and the Annual American Film and Video Festival in Philadelphia as well as having been broadcast on Seattle's PBS affiliate TV station, KCTS Channel 9, and on a number of cable stations throughout the United States.

..http://www.linkedin.com/pub/frank-video/b/483/982..

 

So glad you were there to catch this. And thanks so much for putting it on youtube. Shows a different side of Jesse. It's great.

 

..Absolutely lovely. Never knew that he sang and played guitar in this manner. A joy to see, truly...
 

How unexpected! He's obviously very skilled with a guitar, I'm so surprised we haven't seen or heard more of SJB's guitar music before. I know there's an old tape out there of him reading poetry while someone else plays guitar, but I never knew he played guitar too.

 

I preferred him deranged and ranting with his own particular brand of accompaniament. I hope I never hear another lead fart like this one.No offense to jesse or the filmer, this video is none of the reasons I've adored his work as long as I have. I like the S.J.B that makes me want to chew on a table leg, not tis; which makes me want to drink bathtub gin, smoke too much pot and smash fokl records off my fire escape.
 

Yes, well. When Jesse died, Prison was the only thing avb, and it has not given people the full picture of what Jesse did creatively. Wait until we post some of him playing piano and singing!

 

That rocks! Been a fan since i heard Come Out Tonight on SubPop200 many years ago. What happened to him that he was all bandaged up?
 

Amazing. It's the artists who are cracked a bit that really make true art. Bukowski, Bernstein, Burroughs. Classic. It would be a shame if nobody ever knew who Jesse was. I used to make EVERYBODY listen to Come Out Tonight.
 

Made my eyeballs sweat for a moment....thanks so much.