Search - Danny Schmidt :: Live at the Prism Coffeehouse

It's a crime . . .

Albert Hayes | New York City | 09/19/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's a crime that this guy is not being played on every radio station across this country. I grew up with Bob Dylan, and thank god I did. I really feel for the kids growing up today, with The Backstreet Boys telling them they oughta be eating Burger King woppers, and Eminem telling them how to treat other people. I had pretty well given up on today's music and musicians. Now I've just given up on the music INDUSTRY. Danny Schmidt writes amazing songs that touch you, that make you feel human (and ok with being human), and make you feel like there's someone else in the world that feels the way you do about being alive and about dealing with being alive. No songwriter has done that for me since Bob Dylan.A friend of mine discovered Danny's music on MP3.com, immediately bought the CD. Listened to it once and got back online to buy 5 more to use as presents, one of which was mine. Now I'm online buying one for my daughter at college, in hopes that she might know that there's a poet for her generation, too.As far as "reviewing" the CD, I don't know exactly what to say. Pretty folky, pretty bluesy, a little bit country. Usually understated and subtle musically, but with occassional flashes of wild guitar playing. It seems like, mostly, he just lets the music help tell what he's trying to say. And LYRICALLY, he's just totally razor sharp. Sometimes fancy poetics, sometimes real plain language. But always, just RIGHT on. And he sings with a very expressive voice. Not a "pretty" voice, but again, he uses it beautifully to say what he has to say. The energy and enthusiasm of the crowd definitely is apparent on the CD, and I think it really helps to make Danny's music all the more "real". You can totally feel the sense of one person sharing of themselves with other people. It would be interesting to hear if that feeling would come across in a studio recording, as opposed to a live recording.All in all, I more than "liked" the CD. I think it's the best music I've heard in a very long time. I hope I get to hear the man in person one day."

One of the best songwriters I've ever heard

06/29/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I can't describe how good Schmidt is, both as a lyricist and as a guitarist/melody-writer. He is better than most of the folksingers you've heard of. Sometimes I find myself laughing out loud, incredulous at how Danny came to string these words together. The depth of his insights is a gift to listeners of this album. The kicker is that he accomplishes all of this without even a hint of the self-indulgence, overdone metaphors or simpering triteness to which so many contemporary singer-songwriters succumb. Save some dough on shipping and go ahead and buy five copies. You'll want to share this discovery with friends."

Danny is as real as they get...

Albert Hayes | 02/25/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I met Danny before I ever heard him sing (or even knew that he did) and was impressed immediately by his warmth, sincerity, and humility. Then I found out he had just released a CD and managed to make it to his CD release party where I was blown away by his songwriting, guitar playing, and his beautiful harmonies with Joia Wood. Before the show was over I had a CD in hand and have given copies to many friends many times since. He plays and sings from the heart and his songwriting demonstrates that he is wise beyond his years. The combination of his gravelly voice intertwined with Joia's angelic one reminds me of the unbeatable Gram Parsons/Emmy Lou Harris combination. If you like folk or Americana at all, I strongly urge you to give this one a try."