Album review: TIMOTHY B. SCHMIT – Day By Day

Timothy B. Schmit chatted to David Randall about his music with tracks from the new album. First broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, 3 July 2022

[Release date: Digital - 06.05.22; CD/Vinyl 02.09.22]

Best known as one of the mainstays in the Eagles’ ever changing line-up, since 1977, Timothy B Schmit releases that rare thing – a solo album – and his first since 2016.

The whole approach reminds me of those classic Asylum albums of the 1970s majoring on rich harmonies, memorable melodies, solid songwriting and stellar musicianship.

The opener and single ‘Simple Man’ has some lovely lyrics and is graced by the presence of Lindsey Buckingham one of several big name contributors.

Naturally you’ll hear elements of the Eagles in the mix throughout but overall it’s a superb pop rock album.

Nothing is too extreme and it’s all very polite. ‘The Next Rainbow’ ups the tempo and develops into a welcome groove whilst second single ‘Heartbeat’ starts out a little like ‘I Can’t Tell You Why’ (Schmit’s first major co-write and lead vocal in the Eagles) and then has echoes of ‘Driver’s Seat’ (Sniff ‘N’ The Tears).

The folky ‘Question Of The Heart’ evokes the classic (and classy) days of Neil Young and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. This is repeated on ‘Something You Should Know’ whilst ‘Grinding Stone’ features John Fogerty and one-time Asylum alumni Jackson Browne.

There are some real standouts, those early singles, ‘Feather In The Wind’ with its Beach Boy-esque harmonies, and ‘Taste Like Candy’ with guitar from Kenny Wayne Shepherd. The album only really dips when Schmit goes doo-wop on ‘Conflicted’ but things are restored with the Tom Petty-esque ‘Where We Belong’.

Like his long term band, most of these songs would have fitted into a 1970s FM radio schedule, immediately evoking the laid back sun, style and nostalgia of the West Coast.

A lot of older musicians don’t seem able (or willing) to conjure up songs of love and loyalty but several themes here are just that. Schmit is 74.

Close your eyes, hope for some sunshine, and wallow in the summer of love. 2022 style. ****1/2

Review by David Randall

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)