Customer Reviews

Parables & Primes

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
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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.

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.

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!

Just saw Danny perform live in Tulsa this past weekend and bought this CD; it's been in my player ever since. I suppose I'm just due for a long spell of fitting my brain around some hearty wordcraft and smooth picks and licks. There's nothing else to say about this musician other than that he makes you want music, want and love it more than ever. So glad I didn't miss him!

This album is a strong following to Make Right the Time, which is a great album on its own. Danny Schmidt has a rare combination of amazing guitar work, solid voice and moving lyrics. I would highly recommend this album to anyone who has a love of music.

I am not a musician and don't know how to review music. Given that, this is an outstanding album. I discovered Danny via waterbug web site, because I enjoy the music of Andrew Calhoun. You could listen to Danny's music on that site and once I came across "Stained Glass" I was hooked. He is a great poet and knows how to grasp your emotions and feelings with his words. Seriously, get this song and read the lyrics and I can't imagine you not loving the song if you are a lover of great singer/songwriter material.

I look forward to the release of his new album in a few weeks.

Danny Schmidt is a true poet of our times. His music is catchy but not trite. All the cuts on this CD are worth listening to again and again, not just for the great ensemble instrumental work but mainly for the lyrics. This is a CD for those who long for the days of genuine, meaningful folk music.

This collection of songs shows musical capability in various styles. Fine guitar work and a melodic, clear and acurate voice. The lyrics contain imagery and feelings that bring great power to this music. Danny Schmidt is unique in many ways. It's fun to me to find that I cannot categorize his music. I titled these comments "Stained Glass" because that was the first song of his that I heard on the radio, and I wanted to hear more.

OK, so I didn't hear all of the songs. But of the ones he played (This Too Shall Pass, Dark Eyed Prince, Happy All the Time, and Stained Glass), all had my complete attention and appreciation throughout. Making it seem effortless to play complicated yet fitting fingerpicking runs (while still being creative enough to not seem mechanical), Mr. Schmidt also holds his own quite convincingly with his vocal efforts. It was, after all, just he and his guitar. Blessed with a natural wit and a mind for interesting lyrics, Danny Schmidt makes one think and rethink, smile, and examine one's own past. Buy the CD and book him for your town; I just got lucky that he came to Bethel (pop. about 7,000; no roads in or out) and I got to hear him for whatever I felt comfortable donating! Check out the other albums, too.