According to Wikipedia, . . .
The musical genre known as Americana is an amalgam of contemporary American music formed by the confluence of the shared and varied traditions that make up the musical ethos of the United States.
Specifically, sounds are merged from folk, country, blues, rhythm and blues, rock and roll, gospel, bluegrass and other external influences.
The result of this fusion is a distinctive roots-oriented sound that lives in a world apart from the pure forms of the genres upon which it may draw.
While acoustic instruments are often present and vital, Americana also often uses a full electric band.
And according to Google’s online dictionary, . . .
when something “resonates,” it evokes or suggests images, memories, and emotions.
- are in the genre known as Americana, and
- evoke images, memories or emotions associated with courtship, breakup, dissonance and self-reflection,
For Dan, the transition from performing songs only in the confines of his dorm room at Cornell University to being front and center on stage at the helm of his band or in solo performances did not happen overnight.
It was a slow gradual process that took place with constant encouragement from friends and family over nearly three years.
But eventually it did happen in the manner described in the bio on his Web site at danwolffmusic.com.
As a result, within the past ten years, . . .
- Dan formed The Muddy Crows in the Washington DC area with an eclectic group of talented musicians with whom he’d been collaborating.
- The Muddy Crows, released its self-titled debut album in 2014 with 10 songs.
- The Muddy Crows has since twice been voted “Washington DC’s Best Original Band” by The Washington City Paper Readers Poll.
- A trio of The Muddy Crows performed 21 shows across Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands in 2016.
- Dan also released two albums under his own name, the first in 2011 titled Old Fashioned Love with 12 songs and the second in 2018 titled Dan Wolff with eight songs.
In summary, since relocating to the nation’s capital in 2009, Dan has performed over 500 shows and released 3 full-length albums.
These major accomplishments would be enough to make any full-time musician proud.
What makes them even more remarkable and inspiring, though, is that Dan has managed to accomplish all that while being employed full-time in an occupation not usually associated with someone who is the frontman of a band — as a cyber-security expert in the DC area!
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“Seemingly shy and unassuming at first, Dan Wolff from The Muddy Crows thrives on connection with and interaction from his fans. After you get to know him and enjoy the songs he performs as a solo performer or with The Muddy Crows, you’ll appreciate the caliber of his songs, you’ll want to become a fan for life, and your life will be enriched!” ~ Clive Swersky, Host and Producer, Alive with Clive |
In Dan’s 1st Show on Alive with Clive, the first two songs he performed are from Old Fashioned Love, and the last two are from the album released by The Muddy Crows.
In Dan’s 2nd Show, all four songs are from his most recent self-titled album.
Here are the lists of songs Dan performed in his two shows on Alive with Clive:
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In the 1st Show:
- “Old Fashioned Love” is about being a suitor by relying not on the latest gizmos to impress but on down-to-earth good manners and values that have stood the test of time;
- “One of Those Days” is about having the ability to avoid being upset by a day that didn’t go well;
- “All I Need” is an acknowledgment that another’s love takes precedence over material possessions and accolades; and
- “Straight Crazy” is about sensing the affinity a woman has for a man from the look in her eyes.
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“And if met a gypsy |
In the 2nd Show:
- “Hey Love” is about summoning the courage to ask someone to dance and then having the resulting connection live up to your highest expectations;
- “Love & War” is about that stage in a relationship when discontent that has been brewing beneath the surface in the relationship is expressed;
- “Please Don’t Cry” is a song about having the discomfort of causing a breakup exacerbated by crying by the person who is upset; and
- “Save My Soul” is a song of introspection in the aftermath of actions that caused someone else or others to experience an emotional upheaval.
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“I’ve been restless, haven’t I? |
These eight songs by Dan Wolff and The Muddy Crows and the remaining songs on the three albums they have released so far convey an elegant simplicity that connects on an emotional level.
They’re likely to remind you of the engaging sounds of such established singer-songwriters as Paul Simon, Cat Stevens/Yusuf, James Taylor, Matt Nathanson, Jason Mraz and Andy Grammer.
You’ll want to hear them over and over again, and you can begin to enjoy the eight Dan performed now when you see his 1st Show and 2nd Show on Alive with Clive.
Best regards.
Clive
https://alivewithclive.tv – where today’s top singer-songwriters thrive!
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