LEAP OF FAITH, the new 12-track solo album from TIMOTHY B. SCHMIT, is out today (9/23) on the indie label Benowen Records. Listen to LEAP OF FAITH by the groundbreaking vocalist, songwriter and bass player from the legendary rock groups Eagles and Poco in its entirety, today on Rolling Stone Country (here) and purchase the album via iTunes (here) and exclusive online store bundles (here).
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. LEAP OF FAITH marks the culmination of SCHMIT's unhurried, yet inspired reflections of life. The album's first single "Red Dirt Road" is currently impacting Americana and AAA radio. "Like the rest of my new solo album Leap of Faith, 'Red Dirt Road' was recorded in my L.A. studio featuring Van Dyke Parks on accordion, John McFee (from The Doobie Brothers) on fiddle, and harmonies by Herb Pedersen," explains TIMOTHY re the first single. "Upon hearing this song one might think the setting is from the deep south, but actually the image comes from the island of Kauai. It's a tune about finally being able to let go."
Rolling Stone Country's Andrew Leahey recently described LEAP OF FAITH as follows: "Written and tracked during breaks in the The Eagles' touring schedule, the new record shines a light not only on Schmit's voice, which remains remarkably untouched by the decades that have elapsed since he sang his band's final hit, 'I Can't Tell You Why,' but also the songwriting chops of an Americana pioneer. Long before that genre had a name, Schmit helped glue the nuance of country and bluegrass to the noise of rock. If the music on Leap of Faith sounds somewhat familiar, it's because Schmit now shares the marketplace with songwriters who grew up studying his work with Poco and the Eagles." (August 25, 2016)
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. Writing and recording between touring with the Eagles, the songs on LEAP OF FAITH 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, while "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.
Watch the new lyric video for "Red Dirt Road" below:
Following is the track listing for LEAP OF FAITH:
1. My Hat
2. Slow Down
3. All Those Faces
4. I Refuse
5. What I should Do
6. Goodbye, My Love
7. You're So Wild
8. It's Alright
9. Red Dirt Road
10. The Island
11. Pearl On The String
12. This Waltz
TIMOTHY is currently in Nashville for the Americana Music Festival & Conference. After presenting at the Americana Music & Honors Awardsshow at Ryman Auditorium (9/21) andperforming during "Music City Roots"at Factory at Franklin (9/22), TIMOTHY and his band will perform on Sunday (9/25) at sold- out concert at City Winery-Nashville (609 Lafayette Street). Next, he'll head to Atlanta for a show on Sunday (9/26) at City Winery-Atlanta (650 North Ave.), on-sale (here).
