Danny Schmidt's "little grey sheep"

Danny Schmidt's 2008 release “little grey sheep” cements his position as a talented songwriter to watch. A spare acoustic album, the tracks “Leaves Are Burning” and “Go Ugly Early” wouldn’t sound out of place on Springsteen’s “Nebraska”. The harmonica driven homage to Austin, “Adios To Tejasito” is the rare song that ribs the Lone Star State rather than bragging about it. It's easy to imagine the late great Townes Van Zandt laughing as Danny sings

“I dropped a quarter once in Dallas,
It went rolling down the bluff
They arrested me for littering
They said I didn’t drop enough”

A talented wordsmith, folk singer (there’s more waver than twang in Danny’s voice)
and guitar player, Danny Schmidt has put together a cohesive album from what he unbelievably describes as “songs that had been orphaned at some point in their lifetimes”.

My only (minor) complaint. I would have programmed “Company of Friends” as the last track to end one of my favorite discs of the year. The moving reflection on life, death and friendship ends with Danny singing

“I believe in living smitten
I believe all hearts will mend
I believe our book is written
By our company of friends”

You can download select tracks or purchase complete discs here .

Random note: The album cover art is a sepia photograph of a white sheep and a black sheep “trying” to make a “little grey sheep”. You'll have to ask Danny to explain the symbolism!