This book is great for acoustic guitar players of most every level... there are some genuine 3 chorders in here (with finger-friendly first position chords) or, if you want, try something like McCreary's pipes, for the more experienced and adventurous. A lot of the songs here can be played in fairly straightforward fashion, and can grow more challenging as you start adding the fills and embellishments often mentioned in the song notes.

I admit it, I'm a songbook addict. Being a writer myself, I like to analyze the structure, progressions, etc. just see how people work and create (interesting, if you consider most of my own songs end up being I -IV-V anyway.) I got this songbook for Christmas last year, and it was my hands down favorite present. Danny is an amazing writer and performer, and this book is great even for those who don't play but are fans, because of the wonderful notes about the songs. I've added several of the songs here to my own repertoire, and, okay, they don't sound like Danny, but that's okay, too... the joy is making these your own and most importantly, sharing this great music. In fact, I think I'm going to go play my take on Closing Time now. Highly recommended.

I received my songbook in late December. It is beautifully written, and the guitar notes are especially helpful. I confess that I have been slow in writing a review..I've been too busy trying to learn new songs! By the way, Danny is quite correct, you CANNOT breath while trying to sing the bridge of Stained Glass!

The only other songbook I've ever bought is Joni Mitchell's "Anthology", thinking it would help me learn how to play Joni songs. Which it might, if I were to ever open it. But I don't, because the chord charts are tiny and the score goes on for pages and pages (who can turn pages while playing guitar?) and it doesn't really help with the licks anyway... plus, I like learning music from people, not books.

HOWEVER ->> Danny's songbook is NOTHING LIKE THAT! It's almost like it's not a book... more of an on-going, half-silly, half-brilliant conversation + light-hearted guitar lesson you get to have with your very talented friend, Danny Schmidt... whenever you feel like it! A lot of your questions are anticipated. Even things you might not have thought to ask, but are really glad to know, once you know 'em. EVEN questions like, "But why...?", which is almost never answered these days, seems like. Plus, it just works. You know... like a Mac. You can tell the person who made it really DOES want you to play the songs and not just buy the book. It feels collaborative.

Yup. You should definitely get it!

This guy is amazing. Seeing all of his lyrics bound together in one volume makes it clear that Danny Schmidt is one of the greatest poets alive today. When my copy arrived, I read it through cover to cover without even touching my guitar. As if his songs aren't already honest and personal enough, this songbook actually invites you into his head at the time he was writing each tune. His casual writing style is so uniquely his that when I finally dared to try playing some of my favorite Danny classics using the tips at the end of each song, it felt like he was sitting right there showing me on his guitar.

I've already ordered five more copies for my friends. I still can't believe that a hack guitarist like me is able to play most of these songs.

Another masterpiece by one of the great starving artists of our time. I bought a bunch of copies to give to friends and keep mine prominently displayed on our piano for inspiration. A "must give" Christmas or Chanukah or Kuanza gift for everyone on your list......Sincerely, Danny's Dad