Dave Daniels & The PTA

http://www.atlantamusicblog.com/news/2009/07/cd-review-dave-daniels-just-like-ghosts.html

Dave Daniels
Just Like Ghosts

By Al Kaufman

Atlantan, by way of Florida, Dave Daniels has a cute little story in the liner notes of his CD. It seems he was arrested for jaywalking and when the jail guard asked him what type of music he played, he couldn't answer him. The angry guard locked him up for the night. Daniels ends his story with this line: "On this record, finally, I can answer him with just one word: American."

Daniels is a talented songwriter, but has chosen to write only four of the nine songs on this CD. This is because he is equally adept at interpreting works of others. With the crackling PTA (Part Time Association) backing him up, Daniels lets out his bluesy, percussive side on David Fountain's "Belly of the Beast." And he adds a light reggae touch to Florida indie songwriter Andy Matchett's "Too Much Happiness."

With a voice that falls somewhere between Graham Parker and Michael Stipe, Daniels is able to express sorrow and anger as easy as love, and he expresses them all here, especially on his own tracks. "Money's Worth," a catchy pop number that easily ties concerts and his girlfriend, will have listeners humming the chorus for weeks. "Man on the Street (Part Two)" offers a harder country edge. The lyrics are a little clunky as Daniels tries to get into the mind of Joe Six-Pack, but the driving organ, electric guitar and harmonica more than make up for them. "Lose Your Wings," the obligatory anti-war song, is not as heavy-handed as it has potential to be and benefits from Jeff Mosier's haunting banjo.

"Celementine" displays just how good a songwriter Daniels can be. His ode to his adopted state, the song plays like a Black Crowes blues ballad, with delicious lines like, "Georgia's hot in the middle of the week/She's kissing my back and rubbing my feet."

At age 25, Daniels has already been writing songs for 10years. His songs now are a lot better then when he was 15. By 35 he should be downright incredible.
- Atlanta Music Guide

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7104921
Open Mic, February 2, 2007 ·

In his second, independent, full-length release, 24 year-old singer-songwriter Dave Daniels relocates to Georgia from Miami, Fla., enlists some of Atlanta's finest musicians and forms New Pony, an ensemble of driving blues, rock, country, pop, folk and jazz.

Daniels gets a big boost on his latest release, Songs from Stone Mountain, by teaming up with nationally renowned steel pedal guitarist Mark Van Allen (Indigo Girls, Sugarland) as producer.

Recorded in two months at Van Allen's Music Farm Studios in Loganville, Ga., the album is a wild blend of guitars, cello, fiddle, harmonica, keyboards, and steel guitar. It's all blended with Daniels' unique songwriting sense, combining Americana music with a progressive feel.

"My Hurricane" is one of those songs.

"I wrote 'My Hurricane' by candlelight in Miami during Hurricane Katrina," Daniels said on his Web site.

New Pony, the other musicians on the album, include bassist Rob Henson (Telegraph), fiddle player Jeff Spirko (South 70) and drummer Puma Navarro (Wighat), who back an eclectic mix of mellow and hard-rocking tracks.

The band is currently planning a spring tour of the southeast U.S. for 2007.

- National Public Radio

Dave Daniels plays American music. It's a conclusion that's taken him a while to reach, but with his new release "Just Like Ghosts" it seems in America is where he'll stay. He speaks of his collection of songs like he found them in some dusty old basement in Tennessee or like they're relics to be read about in a history book, like Bob Dylan used to refer to American music. There's a reason why Daniels can be proud of American music, and not in some Toby Keith way, but proud like a father watching his son grow into a man. He sees and feels the way the familiar sounds from America's rural past have crept into his songwriting and his soul.

Daniels and his band, the PTA, will be performing with two incredible groups from Gainesville, Morningbell and Paxico Via Mexico, at the Atlantic on Saturday. I've written about the previous two bands several times in this column, and they are bands to catch if you haven't already, but Daniels is one out-of-town artist I'm especially anticipating.

Fans of Tom Petty will appreciate his wide-open approach to songwriting. The choruses are big, layered with harmonies and contemporarily delivered. He stays away from strict interpretations of traditional roots sounds in favor of modern pop stylings, much like the Heartbreakers did in the '70s. The result is fantastic roots-pop that can rock and sound beautiful all at the same time.

The second track on the album "Man On The Street (Part Two)" sounds straight out of "Highway 61 Revisited"-era Bob Dylan. He captures the loose jangle and manic pace of those recordings, although his vocals are much, much sweeter. Daniels sings with even temperament. He rarely takes full vocal command of a song on "Just Like Ghosts" but he narrates them at his own pace and supplements his voice with solid two-and-three-part harmonies. Gainesville's the kind of town that supports roots rock, and Daniels is one more regional artist to follow. This show should be a near sell-out, so if you're going to see Dave Daniels and the PTA, get to the Atlantic early. - Gainesville Sun

Bluesy Americana rocker Dave Daniels has been bust preparing for the release of his new record Just Like Ghosts, songs for which can be heard on his MySpace page. The record will be released at his upcoming show at The EARL on April 29, where Daniels and his band The PTA will be sharing the stage with stunning Savannah singer/songwriter Arum Raw and Atlanta's own Old Custer.

For the price of admission (a measly $7) the new record will be all yours - yup, that's right, you get the album for free when you buy a ticket for the gig. What are you waiting for? Go and buy your ticket here now! - Atlanta Music Guide

ave Daniels and the PTA (Part Time Association) are playing a show at the Earl tonight (Wed., Feb. 24). Daniels is a rare breed who blends the whole nostalgic guy with a guitar and a story to tell thing with rollicking, rustic inflections. He knows good music and knows how to have a good time, and he follows these instincts with his songs, rather than rely on sincere self-indulgence. The subtly psychedelic banjo and organ come together in a backdrop that keeps the quick drums and guitar moving along, giving the songs on his most recent album, Just Like Ghosts, a naturally bucolic charm. On his website he lists John Lennon, Bob Dylan and Dave Matthews as influences… I guess two out of three ain’t bad… Regardless, the music is smooth, effortless, and if he suffers for his art, it doesn’t show. Imagination Head and Nerd Parade open the show. $7. 8:30 p.m. The Earl. 488 Flat Shoals Rd. 404-522-3950. - Creative Loafing