Schwartz’s sophmore 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. — Jim Walsh, St. Paul Pioneer Press

This self-titled CD is Dan’s third independent release, and his first collection of songs in five years. This recording follows the 1999 collection of solo guitar compositions, American Finger-style Guitar - Circa 1999, and his 1997 debut, The Art of Making Fire - an album which earned him a nomination for “guitarist of the Year” by the Minnesota Music Academy. Stepping away from the spacious, acoustic guitar driven production of his debut album, this new self-titled CD showcases Dan’s creative and gutsy songwriting and producing skills by covering an enormous amount of territory that reveals Dan’s passion and understanding for a variety of musical styles. This collection of songs stretches the boundaries of pop music with influences of R&B, gospel, jazz and world music - with lyrical topics such as Zen philosophy, old girlfriends, fame, and medieval letters written to the devil.

In today’s heavily formulated music business, a record as diverse as Dan Schwartz could only exist coming from an independent artist. “The beauty of recording for my own label is simply allowing a record like this to exist,” says Dan. “Having freedom, I was able to create exactly what I wanted - a wild record that travels a great distance from beginning to end.”

Have you listened to this recording and would like to review it? Please send it to reviews@danschwartz.net