Parables & Primes

Danny Schmidt | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 12, 2005)
• Original Release Date: January 1, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Live Once
• Run Time: 48 minutes
• ASIN: B000A2H5K6
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #56,469 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Danny Schmidt is a writer's writer, in the vein of Townes Van Zandt and Leonard Cohen. This is the kind of album you envelope yourself in at 2am, half drunk; with lyrics on your lap as you follow along line by line. This is Schmidt's first album since moving back home to Austin; the first to draw off the abundant wealth of Austin musicians, with the likes of Lloyd Maines on lap steel, Guy Forsyth on harmonica, Michael Longoria (Patti Griffin's band) on drums, and Bruce Hughes (Bob Schneider's band) on bass. "Parables & Primes" is lushly orchestrated, yet still sparse, with graceful touches of accordion, violin, cello, organ, trumpet, mandolin, and of course, some sweet harmonies. They make for a velvety backdrop - but it's the songs themselves, their messages and their poetry, that sit front and center on Schmidt's records, and this one is no exception.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant - This is a Real Poet, November 21, 2006

By 

Craig Sonnenfeld (Brookline, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Parables & Primes (Audio CD)

Listening to this collection of songs by Danny Schmidt reminded me of the first time I heard Leonard Cohen. He is a master-craftsman of a songwriter. His melodies are haunting like the best mountain ballads. Try listening to the song 'Stained Glass' on this cd and not feel that you have heard the work of a new brilliant poet.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The essence of music., December 29, 2005

By 

AEH "bunchaviolets" (Austin) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Parables & Primes (Audio CD)

I live in Austin- the Live Music Capital of the World. On any given night, you can wander downtown and hear block after block of venue after venue playing genre after genre of music. But one of the most memorable musical experiences I've had since I made Austin my home is witnessing Danny Schmidt perform for an audience of less than 100 in someone's back yard.

Danny deserves much greater notoriety for his talent. This album is honestly one of the best collections of songs I have run across in years. It makes me sad that it has one customer review. Two, now... It doesn't seem to bother him in the least that he doesn't have fame, fortune and glory, but it bothers ME. Here is his website: http://www.dannyschmidt.com/ Go there and make him known to thee.

It is evident that Danny Schmidt truly cares about the music that he crafts, and finally getting to listen to him play live was a real and true pleasure... His insight into love and politics and hell, even his battle with cancer, is fresher than most of what I come across. His music is real. It is thoughtful. It is gentle. It inspires genuine emotion. I highly recommend this album, and his others.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspired lyrics, Touching music, February 23, 2009

By 

Julie Olsen "Jill of all trades" (Edmonton, AB, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Parables & Primes (Audio CD)

Danny Schmidt is in my top four favorite musicians of all time, and this is his best album I've heard yet. For me, his lyrics are what absolutely make his songs, with more-than-clever phrasing, deep currents of meaning, and emotion that you can't help but share. That is not to disparage the music, as the guitar picking is gorgeous, the harmonies are fantastic, and the melodies are simple enough to remember without ever being boring. It's just that he says things in exactly the right way, and those things need saying. Someday he'll come to the prairie provinces of Canada, right? I was introduced to his music when my sister bought three of his albums for my birthday, and I've since done the same for one of my friends. Once I heard him, I couldn't get enough, and I wanted to share his music with others. I still do. So although you don't know me, I want to share this with you. I've yet to find anyone who really dislikes this album, and I've tried, by making everyone I know listen to at least some of it. The only complaint I've ever heard is that it's a little bit on the "downbeat" side, with few cheery songs. This was from a friend who only likes happy movies, music, or books, and is not impressed at all by wordplay. And even she liked it well enough, she just didn't run out and buy it. So unless you fit the description of this friend, run out and buy it!