Dance In the Desert – Daniel Donato

Happy New Year! I decided to start off 2025 with a really fun one. Daniel Donato is a hell of a guitar player, and I would recommend listening to more than just the song I chose to feature to get a real sense of his style. This one definitely leans into a pop sound, but his self-described “cosmic country” is a pretty cool vibe. I think he’s got some pretty apparent influence from The Dead and even Tom Petty, perhaps? I’m looking forward to diving into his catalog. What really got me into the Grateful Dead were their covers of country songs, and really a lot of their music could easily be twanged up and make some really damn good country songs. Hippies and Cowboys? (Cody Jinks, anyone?) If that’s what Danny boy here has to offer, sign me up.

I love the riff that drives “Dance In the Desert” along, and the Telecaster lick that follows suit is very tasty. I love the overall instrumentation of this one, but I will say it wasn’t until my second or third listen that I really appreciated how good it is. Highly recommend headphones for this one. The keys in the back (B3?) are angelic. Daniel rips a hell of a solo around 2:15 that shows us the dude cut his teeth in Nashville. Something about bending a Tele’s strings just tickles my fancy. I love the little fill (roll?) on the drums that leads into the chorus. The bass line absolutely brings the funk as well. Just killer musicianship all around. Lyrically, this is a feel good and care free song, with just a great energy about it.

Link to song – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuKcsKz6q8c

Link to live – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gclU6WDa4Ns

Link live (20 min jam version) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPMU32b4CcY