Expando
As one of the founders of what we now know as country-rock, Timothy Schmit started out in Poco in the late ’60s and then later (and inevitably) moved into the Eagles, where he as been bass player, guitarist and singer for a couple decades. He was one of the genre’s early pinup boys with his chiseled cheekbones, handsome face, and boy-next-door smile. Schmit quietly persevered and succeeded through the chaos that drove most of his band mates to opposite ends of the earth.
Schmidt is also one of music’s most popular sidemen, and he has played multiple instruments on numerous albums for a Who’s Who of Baby Boomer musicians. On this, his newest solo outing, Schmidt brought an impressive roster of guest stars into his studio to make an album that covers familiar musical territory with beautiful singing, tight harmonies, and memorable tunes that sound so good they will have you hitting the ’replay’ button on your iPod. Of the half dozen solo albums Schmidt has done of the last 20 years, this is by far the best on the lot. Often overlooked in his contributions as a band member are Schmidt’s impressive abilities as a songwriter, which are on display on this album.
At this point in his career, one wouldn’t expect anything startling or new from Schmit, and on Expando he has compiled a album full of beautiful music with acoustic blues, and memorable country rock tunes that sound like Poco, as well as the Eagles with a healthy dash of American roots musical influences. If you are an Eagles fan, or have fond memories of the original Poco lineup, then this album should be in your collection. Here is a rundown of the album’s songs:
One More Mile- a fun acoustic blues song with Keb Mo on slide dobro.
Parachute - a Crosby Stills, Nash styled uptempo song with tight harmonies provided by Graham Nash, with Benmont Trench on organ, Jim Keltner on drums and Kenny Wayne Shepherd on lead guitar.
Friday Night - with the Band’s Garth Hudson on organ and legendary Van Dyke Parks on accordion.
Ella Jean - a solo acoustic song about his family that is clever and avoids the sappy trappings that these type of song usually fall into.
White Boy from Sacramento - a funny poke at his image with son Ben on drums and lead guitar and Benmont Trench on piano.
Compassion - a lovely solo acoustic song
Downtime - An Eagles-style ballad with Kid Rock and Dwight Yocum on backup vocals, Jim Keltner on drums, Gary Burton on vibraphone and Van Dyke Parks on accordion.
Melancholy - A solo acoustic song with Jim Keltner on drums
I Don’t Mind - A fun honky-tonk rave-up Bonnie Raitt’s long-ago buddy Freebo on tuba and Van Dyke Parks on accordion.
Secular Praise - A gospel influenced ballad with the Blind Boys of Alabama on vocals
A Good Day - An uptempo country tune featuring long-time Madonna stalwart backup singer Donna De Lory on vocals.
by Timothy B. Schmit
