Born in Brooklyn, raised in New Jersey, and now living in New York City, Daniel Goodman is a thoroughly American musician influenced by jazz, which he studied formally at Berklee College of Music, and American folk, his first love.

“I’m really into Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie. I’m a poet at heart, and the music of the American folk revival from the 1940s to the 1960s really knocks me out,” says Goodman. “Not only does it influence me; it’s also the reason that I’m a songwriter.”

Though Goodman lived and gigged in Europe for a short time, the United States was and always will be his official address. In his music, Goodman strives to capture the nuances of ordinary American life and the realities of our country’s political landscape.

Goodman can be critical of society, but his songs ultimately express his belief in the promise of a better tomorrow. Says Goodman, “A lot of my songs talk about dreams and hope. What’s great about this country is that people can believe in whatever they want, and I never want to put anyone down with my music.”

Such a Fine Day & Other Days, Goodman’s first full-length album, which includes fourteen original tracks, evolved from a preliminary recording that Goodman made about six months ago. The oldest songs were written about four or five years ago, but the majority have been written within the past two years.

The lyrics are full of Biblical, historical, and literary references, but each reference is used as an image to express what’s happening in society today, not in some distant past. Says Goodman, “I try to write songs about what is universal and not just what is specific to me. When I play my songs, I hope that every listener can relate to my music in a unique way.”

In the album’s title track, “Such a Fine Day,” Goodman captures New York City life. Goodman uses the sights and sounds of the city streets to describe a typically American atmosphere. In the song, policemen are wearing shorts, both the café and the criminal courts are full of businessmen, the subway has rats and garbage, and the television threatens viewers with terror levels.

“It’s kind of a heavy song with a daunting harmonic structure that’s both cavernous and driving,” says Goodman. “The song is really about what we could all see when we leave our houses. Maybe it’s not really such a fine day.”

In a track like Miner’s Tale, the music supports the lyrics. The characters in this song are looking for something, probably gold, and the rhythm creates an effect that sounds like a miner chipping away at rock. Says Goodman, “The music comes first, and the lyrics decorate the music. I always like to add and embellish things.”

Italian singer Pamela Bernardi accompanies Goodman on four tracks: “Nightwatch,” “Fade from Yesterday,” “Where Forever Stood,” and “Long Time Waiting.” Bernardi lives in Florence, Italy and sings with Daniel at his Italian gigs. Goodman describes Bernardi as his musical soulmate, and she adds an appropriate counterpoint to tracks like “Nightwatch.” Together, they sing “The mirror showed me who I was to love you, but that’s just what was reflected then.”

Goodman regularly plays at venues throughout New York City. In 2009, he will spend one month as musician in residence at Pete’s Candy Store in Brooklyn, NY. Says Goodman, “You’ll never see me with a music stand. When I finish a song, I really believe in it, and I want to memorize it. Bob Dylan once said, ‘I’ll know my song well before I start singing.’ I too want to sing my songs with the most conviction possible.”

Throughout February, find Goodman playing original music, without a music stand, at the popular Williamsburg venue, every Wednesday night at 10 PM.