Music From A Prairie Christmas

Dan Schwartz

This collection of Christmas carols and spirituals was arranged to support the spoken word stories of Jeff Gould for the recording of The Uncommon Christmas: Tales From A Prairie Christmas. To hear this companion recording follow the link below.

https://danschwartz.bandcamp.com/album/the-uncommon-christmas-tales-from-a-prairie-christmas
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The Uncommon Christmas: Tales from A Prairie Christmas

Jeff Gould and Dan Schwartz

“A Prairie Christmas” marries warm storytelling and music. These stories of faith, hope, love and nostalgia, combined with traditional holiday favorites, engage audiences and truly spread the Christmas spirit.
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High Plains Gospel (EP)

Dan Schwartz

High Plains Gospel is the new release by veteran twin-cities area guitarist / composer Dan Schwartz. The Ep is a collection of pastoral, spacious harp guitar instrumentals inspired by the open landscapes of his favorite places.

This is not gospel music in the traditional sense, yet the music on High Plains Gospel is just as deeply emotional and
High Plains Gospel is the new release by veteran twin-cities area guitarist / composer Dan Schwartz. The Ep is a collection of pastoral, spacious harp guitar instrumentals inspired by the open landscapes of his favorite places.

This is not gospel music in the traditional sense, yet the music on High Plains Gospel is just as deeply emotional and heartfelt. There is a spiritual quality in the performance of this music; a reverence for nature’s bounty. Dan’s compositions paint a clear and captivating portrait of life and love on the plains.

To bring this music to life, Dan found the perfect match in the mighty harp guitar. The extended range of the instrument allows for rich, resonant bass lines to perfectly propel these beautiful, flowing melodies. Fingerstyle guitar fans will find a special gift in High Plains Gospel. This is also timeless music that should be appreciated by pretty much anyone.



"Let's talk about that BEAUTIFUL harp guitar CD for a sec....Great engineering and production choices AND the compositions/arrangements/performances are at highest level - super clear - super energetic/emotive - great project!"
~ Billy McLaughlin
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The Neighborhood Trio

The Neighborhood Trio

The Trio's unique instrumentation (vibes, steel, upright bass) brings a sound that is ethereal and groovy. They blend pop and soul influences with roots and jazz to bring a fresh take on tunes that fit perfectly with a dry martini.
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Roots Run Deep

New Roots Duo

Dan Schwartz - acoustic lap steel
Ben Woolman - baritone guitar

Roots Run Deep, the debut CD from New Roots Duo, is an inspired collection of "instrumental, melody driven, roots based, pop music", featuring the unique combination of Twin Cities based finger-style guitarists, Ben Woolman and Dan Schwartz. Both artists have cultivated successful
Dan Schwartz - acoustic lap steel
Ben Woolman - baritone guitar

Roots Run Deep, the debut CD from New Roots Duo, is an inspired collection of "instrumental, melody driven, roots based, pop music", featuring the unique combination of Twin Cities based finger-style guitarists, Ben Woolman and Dan Schwartz. Both artists have cultivated successful solo careers over the past 10 plus years, performing throughout the country, but have now joined forces to write, record, and perform music as a duo. Together, exploring new sonic terrain and new instruments (acoustic baritone guitar and acoustic lap-steel guitar respectively), they are creating the finest music of their careers. This CD is a culmination of their initial efforts and serves as a natural, profound, extension of their long friendship and musical camaraderie.

Track Notes:

1.Tandoori Hot Dish: An example of a more "epic" New Roots Duo composition. It’s a little ethnic diversity mixed with a lot of Minnesota Nice

2. Long Night: A love song without words. Yearning yet hopeful. A modern hymn.

3. My New Friend: The most "traditional" finger-style tune on the record. Written as a solo piece but sounded incomplete until the lap-steel was added. The first thing Ben wrote on the baritone guitar (his new friend) and for the duo ( his other new friend).

4. First Waltz: The first co-write. A great example Dan and Ben's complimentary melodic styles. Dan wrote the A section, Ben wrote the B. Dedicated to their first daughters.

5. Blues For Buddy: A lot of fun. Written for a fun kid. One of the finest examples of using the baritone guitar in all it's glory – a heavy walking bass line with strong chord comps and melodies.

6. Red River Valley: A haunting arrangement that could comfortably fit on one of Bill Frisell's Americana recordings, or as the closing credits to an Ennio Morricone scored Western.

7. In The Park: A perfect example of the tight, “pop song form, incorporating enough sophistication from their jazz and classical training to take some unexpected turns.” Listen to the sophisticated counterpoint and general interplay between the instruments.

8. GLC: Watch out! Strong groove with hot melody. Does this sound like the '70s?

9. Turquoise Horse: The most folkie of the bunch until the midsection. I guess the chorus isn't that folkie either.

10. Roots Run Deep: The title track. Sort of nostalgic, sort of now. A contemplative meditation on '07, on life, on where we all come from, and where we are.
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Dan Schwartz

Dan Schwartz

"Schwartz’s sophomore CD is an all-over-the-map exploration of funk, jazz and acoustic music that should sing live. The new CD shows off his versatility, placing the Minneapolis finger-style guitarist square in the spotlight." — St. Paul Pioneer Press
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