Expando
"Expando" is the solo album Timothy B. Schmit fans have been waiting for since 1980. Finally, Schmit has fully tapped into his great talent and experience, to produce a consistent set of songs that are thought provoking and entertaining. This time out, Schmit took charge of the production duties, wrote all the songs himself and played most of the instruments as well. The production is warm, but not slick, and the songs are mature and personal.
Schmit shows his instrumental prowess, playing quite an array of instruments on the album, including bass, acoustic guitar, lead and rhythm electric guitar, dobro, banjo, mandolin, ukulele, harmonica, electric piano, percussion and drums. For those vocal and instrumental parts he wanted some help with, he imagined the ideal collaborators and simply called them up and asked. Being very well-respected in the industry, Schmit's offer was accepted by nearly everyone he called: Graham Nash, Kid Rock, Dwight Yoakam, Van Dyke Parks, Keb' Mo', Jim Keltner, Benmont Tench, Garth Hudson, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Gary Burton, Greg Leisz and the Blind Boys of Alabama.
It might be easy for such a project to turn into more of a showcase for the individuals involved than a cohesive artistic statement. However, Schmit was committed to serving the songs and successfully guided all that talent to produce a fine album that is at turns rootsy, charming, fun, introspective and sweet. And of course there is Schmit's gorgeous, expressive high tenor voice, still in fine form. This is an album not just for fans of Schmit and his current and former bands (Eagles, Poco), but for fans of folk-rock, country-rock, singer-songwriters and old-fashioned professional singing and musicianship.
Schmit shows his instrumental prowess, playing quite an array of instruments on the album, including bass, acoustic guitar, lead and rhythm electric guitar, dobro, banjo, mandolin, ukulele, harmonica, electric piano, percussion and drums. For those vocal and instrumental parts he wanted some help with, he imagined the ideal collaborators and simply called them up and asked. Being very well-respected in the industry, Schmit's offer was accepted by nearly everyone he called: Graham Nash, Kid Rock, Dwight Yoakam, Van Dyke Parks, Keb' Mo', Jim Keltner, Benmont Tench, Garth Hudson, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Gary Burton, Greg Leisz and the Blind Boys of Alabama.
It might be easy for such a project to turn into more of a showcase for the individuals involved than a cohesive artistic statement. However, Schmit was committed to serving the songs and successfully guided all that talent to produce a fine album that is at turns rootsy, charming, fun, introspective and sweet. And of course there is Schmit's gorgeous, expressive high tenor voice, still in fine form. This is an album not just for fans of Schmit and his current and former bands (Eagles, Poco), but for fans of folk-rock, country-rock, singer-songwriters and old-fashioned professional singing and musicianship.
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