Chattanooga Times Free Press - ChattanoogaNow

Chill out Wednesday with Danny Black

- BY SUSAN PIERCE Contact Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreep­ress. com or 423-757-6284.

If you are looking for a place to wind down after work Wednesday, May 31, look no further than the Camp House, where the soothing instrument­al music of Danny Black will erase the stress of your day. The Pennsylvan­ia guitarist will play music from his new album, “Adventure Soundtrack.”

Black—aka Dan Schwartz, co-founder of the band Good Old War — and his wife are outdoor enthusiast­s who love trail running, hiking and rock climbing. When he had a break last year from Good Old War, he decided to create an album that “would inspire [people] to go out and make their own adventures.”

Recorded last winter in a New Jersey beach town, “Adventure Soundtrack” displays Black’s talent on 6and 12-string guitars as well as his genius for setting a mood solely through instrument­al music, no vocals.

“I write songs for Good Old War and sing, but I don’t necessaril­y get to stretch out much in most projects. I felt like I had more to say,” says Black in a phone interview.

Black says making this album was a very organic process.

“I wasn’t setting out to do anything specific, I just live a certain way. Every day I find a new adventure. My wife and I fit in some kind of trail run or mountain climbing or hike, no matter what. I wanted to make music that suits the life I know how to live. I didn’t know it would be successful, I just got lucky and was able to make something I loved.”

The album’s 13 tracks conjure images of bubbling waterfalls on “Cascades” or dawn breaking in “First Light.” If the music doesn’t capture a listener’s attention, the guitarist’s technical prowess will.

Black’s music is interestin­g because of his uninhibite­d switching of time signatures, rippling arpeggios and his use of variations on a theme.

Black says he began playing at age 8, took a few lessons, but is primarily self-taught. The guitar interested him because “that was the instrument that was around the house. My dad played. I’m passionate about it. I truly love it. I got lucky that somebody put it in my hands.”

 ?? CONTRIBUTE­D PHOTO ?? Danny Black, who also performs as Dan Schwartz with Good Old War, will play music from his new album, “Adventure Soundtrack,” when he’s in town Wednesday.
CONTRIBUTE­D PHOTO Danny Black, who also performs as Dan Schwartz with Good Old War, will play music from his new album, “Adventure Soundtrack,” when he’s in town Wednesday.

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