“Something I Don’t Know” – new track

2-22-11
from the mixing desk
43

Work progresses on the super-solo album, I think it’s fully mixed or close to it, and everything is starting to sound right to me. I’ve been working alone on the tracks, playing all the instruments myself, a la Stevie Wonder or Paul McCartney or Elliott Smith. I wanted to try something different, plus so many friends laughingly pointed out that my first “solo” album had a huge list of collaborators on it! Sounded to my ear like a challenge. It’s been an interesting way to work, reminds me of my days as a painter, and also of the attractions of collaboration; I don’t think I’m cut out for a whole life of doing everything alone. But here’s “Something I Don’t Know,” one of the tracks from the big batch. I hope you like.

43 Comments

  1. tammy
    12:22 pm on 2/22/11

    lovely.

  2. Richard
    12:34 pm on 2/22/11

    Beautiful, I am looking forward to it’s release along with your new album.

    I’m also waiting for you to come back to the UK…

  3. Pamela Kingfisher
    12:35 pm on 2/22/11

    Dan, I love everything you do. Beautiful, except my voice is so low I can’t sing along with you on the high notes. I see some crumb(s) here…nice!

  4. Isaiah
    6:43 pm on 2/22/11

    I really enjoyed it and look forward to hearing more =D

  5. Pat Laubersheimer
    8:01 pm on 2/22/11

    Dan, I love this (no surprise). Great work!

  6. Robert Howell
    8:44 pm on 2/22/11

    Awesome! Can’t wait to hear the whole batch!

  7. Den Black
    6:00 am on 2/23/11

    Nice track, sounds good to me, just came across you via a link from my brothers facebook, when the new album comes out I will buy it.

  8. babs
    1:28 pm on 2/23/11

    loving the new song – such a pity we don’t get to see you in England these days! Organise a show – i promise i’ll come!

  9. Yvette Cantat
    1:27 pm on 2/24/11

    “Something I Don’t Know”is a very beautiful song .I like it! Good work and congratulations for your success with Adele.

  10. Yvette Cantat
    1:29 pm on 2/24/11

    “Something I Don’t Know”is a very beautiful song .I like it! Good work and congratulations for your success with Adele

  11. olivier gronier
    5:54 pm on 2/24/11

    fragile
    sensuel
    épuré
    touchant
    vrai
    émouvant
    Merci Dan
    A french fan
    I play drums. My band is QRS.
    My dream : you, for producer.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GkBRv1XmFk&feature=related
    Hope to see you in France

  12. Kate Clarke
    9:31 pm on 2/24/11

    Lovely. Simply lovely.

  13. Louise Mosher
    10:24 pm on 2/24/11

    I have tweeted to you a few times mostly about your work with Josh on Illuminations and how he got me interested in YOUR music too. (threedaves). I like the new song very much. is something pure and simple about your songs that get right to the heart. I like the sound of your voice too. Josh is always saying what a great musician and friend you are. He’s right!!
    I have some of your songs on my IPod and am looking forward to more.

  14. Matt Wiley
    10:35 pm on 2/24/11

    Wow.

  15. kathleen
    12:35 am on 2/25/11

    Dan
    Love it! you bring so many different personalities to your music writing alone or as a masterful collaborator! so looking forward to the hearing the finished product!
    thanks for sharing

  16. Dave "Massachusetts" Akey
    9:24 am on 2/25/11

    Your music always brings me to a more peaceful, happy place. I look forward to the new album.

  17. Carl Peterson
    11:29 am on 2/25/11

    I love this song! What a sweet melody. I’ll be listening to this over and over today.

    When do you think the album will be coming out?

  18. Ken
    1:16 pm on 2/25/11

    Another breath of fresh musical air from you. Many thanks.

  19. Eddie A.
    2:39 pm on 2/25/11

    Sounds really good! And It’s catchy
    Go DAN Go!

  20. Eric
    12:22 pm on 2/26/11

    Very nice….can’t wait for the full album. I am in a little duo called The Eric and Jeremy Band (two makes a band right?). Anyway, doing the whole two-man-band album right now for our first album where the two of us are doing the entire thing from percussion to a little banjo. We are bringing in a female friend to do some harmony but that’s it. Who would have thunk I’d learn how to play a little percussion?!? Bucket drum anyone? Ha!

    Excited for sure to hear how everything else sounds with yours….as with anything else you’ve done, I’m sure it’ll be excellent!!

  21. Elizabeth Scott
    6:56 pm on 2/26/11

    I LIKE THIS DO YOU ALWAYS HAVE MUSIC? I HAVE BEEN CRYING FOR 2 DAYS FOR NO APPARENT REASON, THEN I LISTENED TO LISTENED TO THIS SONG. I DIDN’T LISTEN TO THE WORDS BUT I LOVE THE MUSIC.

    HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO GET YOUR MUSIC?

    EMAIL ME

  22. Jody
    11:11 am on 2/27/11

    Loving this track… Nice work!

  23. Brian
    12:01 pm on 2/27/11

    Beautiful… I can’t wait to hear the whole album! I also love hearing albums where the artist has played every instrument and every track. Not only is that impressive from a talent and skill perspective, but it’s very cool to see how the music comes out when every aspect is exactly what the artist wanted.

  24. Andra
    12:43 am on 3/6/11

    Heartbreaking and beautiful…Joni would be proud.

  25. Doug Irwin
    10:02 am on 3/10/11

    Wow, beautiful.

  26. Carrie Cronin
    3:35 pm on 3/10/11

    Love it, thanks and can’t wait to hear the album!

  27. morgan
    9:17 am on 3/11/11

    Pretty. The progression is like the verses of “Spirit”.

  28. Tim Stak
    9:34 pm on 3/16/11

    Something I Do Know. That a great song!!!

  29. Panagiotis
    2:05 pm on 3/17/11

    congrats dan…looking forward the new album…it was about time

    ps. we were expecting you in greece…seems like time flew by
    hope something I don’t know and all the album songs have attention of the Breathless…we’ll see to it

  30. Anon
    10:27 am on 3/19/11

    Hi Dan,

    Putting the finishing touches to a PhD in literature myself. Long, lonely hours of composition so sympathise with your sense of working isolation.

    Thanks for posting this song. You’re one of those artists, like Tracy Chapman, whose songs are like onions, with many layers. I’ll peel the layers on this one as I work.

    Warm congratulations on the progress of your new album.

    Peace.

  31. Robin
    3:07 pm on 3/23/11

    This is a beautiful song! I can’t wait for the album.

  32. Sarah B
    3:36 pm on 3/23/11

    Love it. Not a big surprise considering I like nearly every song you put out there. Thanks for the sneak peak. Look forward to seeing you live in MPLS sometime SOON.

  33. James Smith
    4:35 pm on 3/23/11

    Hi Dan. I don’t visit your site as often as I should. Thanks for the update e-mail
    Just finished listening to the new track. Wow. Free Life was a CD that did not leave my player for months. I was hoping for some new non live material from you. Now I can’t wait!
    As a drummer I am always a little anxious when someone takes on the challenge of playing everything on a recording. You nailed the drum track. Great sounds and levels too.
    Your an ongoing bright light for me Dan. Your music has moved me for years. You just get better with each effort. My friend Beth Kille Madison, WI) is a committed songwriter too. I know the process via her sharing with me. Thank you for all the effort. May the new songs bring you as much joy as I know they will all of us. Hope to shake your hand and thank you in person soon. My best, Jim

  34. JP
    7:57 pm on 3/23/11

    LOVE. You have the voice of an angel. thank you for making music for all of us.

  35. Jay Snyder
    8:00 pm on 3/23/11

    Can’t wait to hear the rest! (L.A. life obviously agrees w/ you…)

  36. tere
    9:30 pm on 3/23/11

    hello dan,

    beautiful music. keep it up.

    peace

  37. Greg Boone
    9:57 pm on 3/23/11

    Okay. I love the song too and I think you can ALMOST pull off playing all the instruments, but I’ve gotta be honest—the drums just don’t make it! Too much cymbal crash. It’s a gorgeous song—get one of your drummer friends to tighten it up in the percussion area.
    I love your stuff—just wanna be honest! Hope you don’t mind.

  38. Dr. Tony Shore
    12:40 am on 3/24/11

    I’ve been a fan since your early Trip Shakespeare days and this is one of the most beautiful songs you’ve ever written. Absolutely beautiful. Can’t wait for the record!

  39. June Wheeler
    12:29 pm on 3/24/11

    Wonderful song Dan! I’m very excited you are following the trail you started with “Free Life” – I’ll be one of the first in line to buy this new album!

  40. Aaron
    2:09 pm on 3/24/11

    This is cool… I’ve been listening to Dan’s music since 1998, when I was 3, and I’ve always liked it…. that’s why I learned to play my instruments

  41. Joan
    8:33 pm on 3/24/11

    Excellent song. Thanks for the email!

  42. Kenny Frank
    2:26 pm on 3/27/11

    Hi Dan,

    Very nice! Thanks for sharing your talent with the world.

    God Bless…

  43. Meikle Gardner
    6:58 pm on 3/29/11

    Well Dan, I have enjoyed knowing you for many years – going all the way back to our chance meeting in Memphis. Your music is beautiful and your words so powerful and pertinent to life as we live it spinning around on this great planet. Keep the magic coming – we are are ears, spirit, and song. Peace brother.

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