TIMOTHY B. SCHMIT of the Eagles today (May 6) celebrates the release of his solo album DAY BY DAY by sharing the video for its third single “I Come Alive.” Anchored by an infectious ska rhythm, it’s a joyously soulful SCHMIT original lit up with his unmistakable tender voice and lyrics about romantic harmony and being in tune with the world. Watch the video here and listen to the song and album here.
“I was feeling really good about things in general when I started this song,” says the icon of American music since the early 1970s who’s spent the past half-century in a creative whirl, blurring the lines between rock & roll, blue-eyed soul, California country, and folk. “I decided it wasn’t necessary to try and go particularly deep, so I let it sort of roll out of me without too much second guessing. It’s a simple love song intended to express my feelings right from the surface.” TIMOTHY adds: “I am a fan of reggae and its cousin, ska. This song is definitely driven by the opening guitar chords, which are played on the upbeats and remain throughout. The rest was a matter of keeping the instrumentation equally uncomplicated so as to have a lot of air.”
The song’s easygoing charm is reflected in the relaxed feel of the video, which focuses on the camaraderie between TIMOTHY, the musicians and backing singers. Filmed at a Los Angeles rehearsal studio, it begins with them arriving to the studio and then working out parts for the song before performing it.
“Shooting the video was a blast,” says TIMOTHY. “I was reunited with most of my touring band, including the three lady singers who play a large part in the choruses. We very much have a family vibe when we’re together, and the song lent itself to having some fun. I think it translates on camera.”
The “I Come Alive” video was directed by Ava Warbrick, who also lensed the clip for “Simple Man,” the album’s lead single, which was followed by a lyric video for “Heartbeat.”
DAY BY DAY, produced by TIMOTHY and Jeff Peters, highlights the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee’s enduring appetite for new sounds and timeless melodies. He recorded the album’s 12 songs during breaks in the Eagles' busy schedule, utilizing his home studio known as Mooselodge--nestled into a rural pocket of Los Angeles County, with the Santa Monica Mountains looming outside--to capture a sound that's as eclectic as its creator. On DAY BY DAY, his third consecutive self-penned album, guests like Jackson Browne, Lindsey Buckingham, John Fogerty, Benmont Tench, Jim Keltner, John McFee and Kenny Wayne Sheppard all make appearances, as well as many other fine musicians and singers.
As noted by Gary Graff in Ultimate Classic Rock, the album “…ranges from the rich harmonics of ‘Simple Man’ to the rocking ‘Mr. X.’ Elsewhere, the Band-like Americana of ‘Grinding Stone,’ the Caribbean flavor of ‘I Come Alive and the rich orchestrations of ‘Taste Like Candy" boast further sonic ventures” (3/18/22).
Early praise for singles from the album has also come from Martine Ehrenclou of ROCK AND BLUES MUSE who noted--“One word about ‘Simple Man’ by Timothy B. Schmit–gorgeous” (3/18/22)--while Markos Papadatos of DIGITAL JOURNAL praised “Heartbeat” by noting: “Schmit allows his rich, crisp vocals to shine on this haunting ballad, which proves to be timeless. This tune stands out sonically, lyrically, and vocally” (4/11/22).
The DAY BY DAY track listing is as follows:
SIMPLE MAN
THE NEXT RAINBOW
HEARTBEAT
MR.X
QUESTION OF THE HEART
SOMETHING YOU SHOULD KNOW
I COME ALIVE
FEATHER IN THE WIND
GRINDING STONE
TASTE LIKE CANDY
CONFLICTED
WHERE WE BELONG
