TIMOTHY B. SCHMIT–groundbreaking vocalist, songwriter and bass player from the legendary rock groups EAGLES and POCO will release a solo album, LEAP OF FAITH, Friday, September 23 via Benowen Records. Recorded at his Los Angeles studio and co-produced with engineer Hank Linderman, LEAP OF FAITH is a strong mix of rock, country, Americana, R&B and even a bit of reggae.
In September, TIMOTHY will head to Nashville for the Americana Music Festival & Conference. On Wednesday, September 21 he’ll be on-hand to present at the Americana Music Awards show at Ryman Auditorium. The following night, he’ll perform a live concert during “Music City Roots” at Factory at Franklin which will be live-streamed on Thursday, September 22. The show will be broadcast nationally on PBS TV at a later date andother show performers include Willie Watson, Sean Watkins as well as Wynonna & The Big Noise. Then on Sunday, September 25, TIMOTHY and his band will perform a one-night-only concert at City Winery in Nashville (609 Lafayette Street). Tickets for the City Winery show will go on-sale starting Thursday, August 11.
LEAP OF FAITH marks the culmination of SCHMIT’s unhurried, yet inspired reflections of life. On his new albumhe goes further up the path he began to explore on his 2009 solo album Expando. “Again, I wanted to write this album on my own.” TIMOTHY further explains,”In any collaboration one has to make a series of compromises. That’s not a bad thing, it’s simply not what I’ve chosen to do with this project. I’m just putting it out there, and maybe some of these ideas might resonate with listeners.”
Illuminated by an array of fine musicians and singers, LEAP OF FAITH plays like a multicolored corona around SCHMIT’s distinctive artistry. From the jaunty opening track “My Hat” to the soaring harmonies and heartfelt reflections of “This Waltz,” this is more than another album in a great artist’s catalog.
Often writing and recording between touring with the EAGLES, this project took a little time, so the songs on LEAP OF FAITH seem to have a broad compass. “Slow Down” is a note to self on escaping life’s pressures coasting along on a reggae pulse sweetened by jazz giant Gary Burton’s vibraphone. “What I Should Do” has a Muscle Shoals feel; steamy, funky, and sensual. On, “Goodbye, My Love,” he takes us deep down into traditional country with Paul Franklin’s glistening steel guitar layered over the changes. And on “It’s Alright,” his most intimate song, SCHMIT needs only his own acoustic guitar to express profound love.
For all their diversity, these songs are bound by a candor and craftsmanship that are rare in today’s music. SCHMIT says: “I don’t feel confined by any outside perceptions about what I do. I just try to pull songs out of the ethers and shape them as they come, whatever the genre.”
LEAP OF FAITH is co-produced by TIMOTHY and multi-talented friend Hank Linderman. “I hired Hank quite a few years ago to help me learn how to maneuver through my then-new demo studio. But as the studio grew I eventually chose to concentrate on my craft, so I put him in charge of the technical part, among other things. He is an excellent engineer, musician and singer.” Linderman has also worked both on the EAGLES’ last studio album, as well as Don Henley‘s recent solo project. Hank is essential to how LEAP OF FAITH sounds and feels. “For instance, on ‘My Hat,’ I told him I wanted him to play the solo, but to do so in a very simple manner. He ended up playing something I would never have dreamed of, and yes, it’s simple and beautiful.”
“Over the last ten years or so, I’ve felt like I’m finally getting the hang what it is I do best,” SCHMIT sums up with his knack for wry understatement. “Although this project took some time to complete, this is what I came up with… This is who I am. This is a LEAP OF FAITH.”
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