“Valentine’s Day” is the first single and a lyric video
“Valentine’s Day,” a co-write with Michael’s long-time
recording engineer Julie Last, is the album’s first single. Watch a lyric video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xLaHAnvO8E.
Folking’s Bill Golembeski says the song “is upbeat and pushes the pop-o-meter
needle into much radio friendlier climes. This one is smooth, passionate, and
graced with Hallmark greeted lyrics. And Michael gets to open the throttle on
his (really nice) falsetto.” Music
Connection’s Eric Harabadian cites “Valentine’s Day” “choice hooks and romantic sentiments.”
Favorite songs on “Wachtraum” include “August Nights,”
which has a “Beach Boys” vibe. “April
Fools,” co-written with Judy Kass, deals with delusional thinking. “Happy
Fourth of July” recalls leaders and peace activists we’ve lost since the 1960s
and features Dan playing brother Chris’s guitar. “Wachtraum” ends with the holy
days of December with “One Wish” a duet with ethereal singer-songwriter Kirsti
Gholsen.
Six Degrees’ Anne Carlini praises Michael’s
songwriting, “His
music visits the past without regret and the future with an optimist’s eye
while his lyrics and melody weave a narrative of world class performance.”
This April, Michael appears on PBS’s upcoming
broadcast, “We Remember-Songs from Survivors"-- songwriters collaborating
with Holocaust survivors.
Michael’s thankful that the folk community has helped
him through the years. Judy Collins covered his song “Veteran’s Day,” on her
2013 Live From the Temple of Dendur DVD, and 2011 CD “Bohemian.”
Michael’s song “Pledging Allegiance,” which reached #10 on the 2017
Folk/Americana charts, was honored by Music2Life Foundation. He’s a regular at
festivals, notably the 2001 Newport Folk Festival. Breaking out in the1980s,
with the help of Shawn Colvin—first sending him to Greenwich Village to expand
his songwriting with Jack Hardy, and later—in the 1990s—having him open for her
on an extensive tour; she also sang on his first album, “New York Journal.”
He has shared stages with a who’s who of
singer-songwriters over many years of touring.
Wachtraum
1.First Day
2.Valentine’s Day
3.Moving Day
4.April Fools
5.Sunday Afternoon
6.Happy Fourth of July
7.August Nights
8.Always Vermont
9.Birthday Oh Birthday
10.Last Days of Summer
11.First Snow of the Year
12.One Wish
