One thing I’ll say about Danny Schmidt - and indeed of his album “Man Of Many Moons” – and that is fear is not an option. With little more than a minimalist backing and his mellow tones, this Texas folk singer would, as a smart man should, have shied away from putting out an album that lives and dies on his words.
Varying the tempo only slightly across this album, he therefore concentrates his efforts on precise song construction, lyrical style and a distinctly reverential approach to his influences. This album, therefore, is more a showcase of the work of a maturing songwriter than an out and out attempt to entertain. That said, on the album’s sole cover - Dylan’s “Buckets of Rain”- he proves himself an able interpreter easily handling sentiment without becoming mushy or maudlin.
Another highlight was “Guilty By Association Blues” that could easily have come from the pen of a politically aware protest singer from the sixties though obviously updated with a suitably modern Americana vibe. Nevertheless, that lyrical eloquence shines through and, to his further credit, he even manages to squeeze a mention of barmaids into “Two Guitars”. Overall though, you get the feeling that he has never had a woman pull a knife on him but we can’t all live on the edge, can we?
I think it is fair to say that fans of serious song writing will find much to enjoy here.
Available from CD Baby.