NEM#20: Dave Nachmanoff Crafts Specific Yet Universal Stories

Dave is a consummate craftsman in the acoustic singer-songwriter vein, but with the added bonus that he's an amazing guitar player, who for 15 years or so has acted as sideman for '70s Brit-legend Al Stewart, i.e., filling in the entirety of the musical palette apart from Al's singing and strumming. And Dave has a philosophy Ph.D., and put that to use in crafting his most recent album Spinoza's Dream (2016), where each song reflects a particular philosopher. We talk about the title track from that album, plus two songs from Step Up (2011): "Sheila Won’t Be Coming Home" (a duet with Al Stewart) and "Descartes in Amsterdam" (originally written and recorded in 1997). We finish by listening to "All Good" from the new album. The opening music is Dave's instrumental version of Al's hit "Year of the Cat" from Wordless Rhymes (2005). Learn more at davenachmanoff.com. Hear more Nakedly Examined Music.