""Danny
Bakan ... is one talented guy.
He really got the audience going and kept them
in the palm of his hand with his humor as well as
his sensitive songs."
-Rich Warren, Midnight Special WFMT Chicago
"Danny
Bakan exhibits a combination of warmth, humor and honesty that
is a rare gift. His unique sounds centers on his traditional roots,
but he proves that folk music is a living tradition as he creates
compelling original songs that captivate audiences. His CD's hook
me - I find myself listening to every track over and over as I
marvel at the inventiveness of his songs and peformance."
- Ron Olesko WFDU -FM Teaneck, NJ
And
Truth is Spectacular is "...nothing short of amazing!
- Jim Marino 93.3 CFMU
"Not
just one or two great songs with decent filler; instead, these
are powerful, full-bodied songs, sung from the heart without preaching,
without pretension."
-Steve Fruitman - CIUT-FM
"Danny
Bakan is a true entertainer. His original clawhammer banjo style
and the unique thought in his songs won him an audience full of
fans in Fredericksburg."
-Bob Gramann - Fredericksburg Songwriters Showcase
"Not only a virtuoso with banjo and guitar, Danny's song
writing can be both humorous and poignant."
-Charlie Miller - Philadelphia Folksong Society House Concert
Chair
Sing
Out! The Folk Song Magazine,
Winter, 2006
Danny Bakan invites you into his second recording with the welcoming
"Here," a song affirming life. He continues with the
upbeat "84,000 Ways," that insists that as long as love
is involved, there's no one right way or right couple to raise
a child. Thus, the CD grabs you from the start.
Bakan exudes warmth in this recording, as well as a deep connectedness
to his music. Although produced by Glen Marshall, there's a lot
of Tom Leighton's (of Haines and Leighton) influence on this CD,
especially Leighton's fluid, rollicking accordion playing. Bakan
plays a variety of banjos (and banjo styles) as well as guitar.
Another half dozen musicians make varying contributions on varying
tracks. He also employs a choir of friends for vocal harmonies.
Musically this is an exceptionally solid and entertaining recording
and Bakan proves himself a talented songwriter on 12 of the 13
tracks. He throws in his instrumental arrangement of the traditional
"Bonaparte Crosses the Rhine" for seasoning. A few other
outstanding songs include "How the Mighty Fall" inspired
by Conrad Black's publishing scandal, about how ultimately no
one is beyond the reach of the law and "The Twin Towers of
Babel" a unique observation comparing the Tower with the
destruction of the World Trade Center, positing that overarching
pride and the inability to communicate brought all down. It's
a disturbing, but mightily moving song. Bakan concludes the CD
with the simple love song "The Way of the Heart," advising
to live true to the moment and follow your heart. I only wish
instead of bits and pieces of artifacts in the multi-page booklet
he included the lyrics instead of making the listener go to his
web site.
If you're looking for a new singer-songwriter, Bakan would be
a pleasurable discovery.
"An
almost spoken-word delivery added to a large heaping of witty
lyrics could prove disaster for many, but for Danny Bakan, the
plan seems to work. While it may take more than one listen to
appreciate the man's style, stories of past lives and doing laundry
instead of having fun speak volumes to common chores in a quirky
yet humorous manner....The absorption of various genres is a definitive
asset, with high points being the waltz framework on "I Did
My Laundry on Saturday Night." Bakan's banjo is also prevalent
on the opening "Dance," but the organic, wholesome thread
is what makes the album effective. "Fool" is a lovable
but depressing tune with the best lyrics found. A solid wordsmith
who has made a very credible album. ~ Jason MacNeil, All Music
Guide
"Acerbic
wit" -Brent Brambury, All In A Day , CBC
Ottawa "...
"An infectiously high level of enthusiasm, keeping the
crowd smiling and tapping their toes for two straight hours,
as indicated by the standing ovation!" -Karin
Brose,
1000 Island Playhouse Theatre
"An accomplished banjo player with a wide repertoire and a deep
knowledge of music of all kinds! Entertaining on stage and very
generous in workshops. He engages an audience immediately and
they stay with him!" -Inez Platenius,
Blue Skies Festival
"Dog Man Don't Cat Man Do sounds great! Contemporary as well as
strongly grounded in the traditional. I love the production and
rootsy sound" - Cate Friesen,
CBC Radio
"Look at Danny Bakan's songs and you'll get a clue just how
wide ranging he is. There's one about a rat named Patsy Cline
and another about washing his laundry on Saturday night. Somehow
its not surprizing to learn that he is a devotee of the clawhammer
banjo and wrote his masters thesis on holistic and aesthetic paradigms
in education..." Greg Burliuk, Kingston
Whig Standard
"Just
to review the artist himself, this amazing talent is the most
versitle musician that I have heard in a long time. His solo vocal/banjo
folk style is awesome within itself. Now add that to his funky
blues/soulfolk band and you have an outrageous sound that is incomparable.
Danny definitely gets a "10+" in my book." -
Rockin'
Robert Reverb Tomberlin, Cdstreet.com
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