Jeff Daniels has starred in funny films and serious films, so it's no surprise that his songs fit into both categories, too.

      "It was always just a hobby," says Daniels of playing music. "It was something I did through musicals in high school and community theater, but once I went to New York, it was straight to off-Broadway and acting was the career."

      He adds, "The guitar was just something I had in my apartment. It became a diary of sorts. I never kept a diary, but I would write these songs—some of them were awful—[and people] could tell what I was thinking when I was 22."

      In late 2001, looking to raise money for his Purple Rose Theatre in Chelsea, Mich., Daniels played some of his songs at the venue during a pair of fundraising concerts.

      "In the months leading up to those terrifying performances, I realized about five days out that I really needed some kind of disclaimer," he recalls. "I couldn't just walk out there and play anything seriously; people would just look at me and say, 'No.' And I said to a friend, ‘I don't want to be William Shatner.’ And he said something like, 'That sounds like a song to me.'"

      The result: the humorous "If William Shatner Can, I Can Too," in which Daniels not only pokes fun at the man who portrayed TV's Capt. Kirk, but other actor/musicians as well, including Russell Crowe, Billy Bob Thornton and Jennifer Love Hewitt.

      That song is the first one on Daniels' Live and Unplugged, which was compiled from shows over a three-year period and released in 2004 (samples of all 12 songs on the CD can be heard on www.jeffdaniels.com).

      Even when the subject matter is silly, Daniels doesn't skimp on the guitar. His playing is solid and fluid, and he mostly uses a finger-picking style, which he learned via DVDs from Homespun Tapes.

      "I worked hard on that," he says. "I really got interested in the Delta blues guys, that whole repetitive bass thing [with the thumb] and then being able to have the other fingers go wherever they need to go. It's a little bit like patting your head and rubbing your stomach—it takes a while [to learn]. But once you get it, man, it's fun."

      Since those late 2001 shows at the Purple Rose, Daniels has played other fundraising concerts at his theater, and he's performed his music at other venues around the country. Look for Daniels to play material from Live and Unplugged, as well as newer songs, during his Nov. 13 show at Birdland, 315 W. 44th St.

      Daniels says Woody Allen, who directed him in 1985's The Purple Rose of Cairo, is welcome to come on down with his clarinet. "I'll extend that [invitation], but I hear he shoots movies in London now," says Daniels. "[Playing when the subject matter is silly, Daniels doesn't skimp on the guitar. His playing is solid and fluid, and he mostly uses a finger-picking style, which he learned via DVDs from Homespun Tapes.

      "I worked hard on that," he says. "I really got interested in the Delta blues guys, that whole repetitive bass thing [with the thumb] and then being able to have the other fingers go wherever they need to go. It's a little bit like patting your head and rubbing your stomach—it takes a while [to learn]. But once you get it, man, it's fun."

      Since those late 2001 shows at the Purple Rose, Daniels has played other fundraising concerts at his theater, and he's performed his music at other venues around the country. Look for Daniels to play material from Live and Unplugged, as well as newer songs, during his Nov. 13 show at Birdland, 315 W. 44th St.

      Daniels says Woody Allen, who directed him in 1985's The Purple Rose of Cairo, is welcome to come on down with his clarinet. "I'll extend that [invitation], but I hear he shoots movies in London now," says Daniels. "[Playing with Allen] would be fun, but I don't know that I know any Dixieland tunes."

      Daniels' show at Birdland begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25. For more information, call 212-581-3080 or visit www.birdlandjazz.com.

     Up Late With Matthew Ryan
      Singer/songwriter Matthew Ryan has taken the indie route for his new solo album.

      From a Late Night High-Rise will be available digitally Dec. 5 via Brooklyn's 00:02:59 label. More traditionally minded music fans need not worry: Ryan will have tangible copies available during his U.S. tour, which includes shows at the Living Room on Nov. 10 and 11.

      Rounding out the bill both nights will be Thad Cockrell, David Mead and Michelle Malone. The club is at 154 Ludlow St. Tickets are $10. Call 212-533-7235 or visit www.livingroomny.com for more information. Matthew Ryan's official site is www.matthewryanonline.com.

     Worth Checking Out
      Porter Block, a power-pop group featuring Peter Block and Caleb Sherman, will perform Nov. 17 at the Pussycat Lounge, 96 Greenwich St.

      Suburban Sprawl, the new Porter Block album, is in stores now via Engine Room Records. Check out the disc's 13 songs for free by visiting www.porterblockmusic.com. For more on Porter Block's Pussycat Lounge gig, call 212-349-4800 or go to www.pussycatlounge.com.

      Oregon-raised Mat Kearney has a headlining gig Nov. 9 at the Bowery Ballroom, 6 Delancey St.

      Fans of One Tree Hill and Grey's Anatomy ought to be familiar with Kearney. His music—solid singer/songwriter fare much like John Mayer that sometimes includes hip-hop-style vocal delivery—has been featured in both TV shows.

      Nothing Left to Lose is Kearney's latest album. Tracks can be streamed online at www.matkearney.com.

      Doors open at 8:30 p.m. for his Bowery show. Tickets, $15 in advance and $17 day of show, are available through www.ticketweb.com. Call 212-533-2111 or visit www.boweryballroom.com.

      To contact "Manhattan Sounds" columnist Chris M. Junior, e-mail chrisjr@mindspring.com.