Always only "Hotel California," "One Of These Nights" and "Heartache Tonight" is unsatisfying in the long run. At least that's what the 74-year-old thinks - and with "Day By Day" he presents his seventh solo album. A work with a top-class guest list, great sound and exemplary approach: creative self-realization. It's never too late for that, says Schmit in an eclipsed interview in Amsterdam.
eclipsed: Timothy, you're the only Eagles member still releasing new music. A reaction to the lack of creativity of the band?
Timothy B. Schmit: That definitely plays into it. But at the same time, the band allows me to do whatever I feel like doing. That includes my own record label, my studio and my music. Which is a great thing - to have complete freedom. That's why it's not that I don't want to be in the band anymore. It's just that I need a balance to the fact that people only want to hear old stuff - and nothing else. That's why we haven't played anything from the last album for a while - because that's not in demand. And I understand that. If the Beatles were still around, I probably wouldn't be so keen on their new stuff either
eclipsed: What makes your new songs stand out is mainly stylistic diversity, which even implies reggae. How come?
Schmit: Because I'm into it. (laughs) And it reflects my taste, which knows no boundaries. This morning, for example, I listened to classical music for breakfast - I do that a lot. Then when I do my stretches, I listen to a station called SomaFM, which has this show called "Seven Inch Soul." It just plays old soul singles - where you can even hear the needle touching down on the vinyl. Or I listen to ThistleRadio, which only plays Irish music. That shows what makes me tick: I like all kinds of music - including jazz and reggae.
eclipsed: On "Day By Day" you're joined by John Fogerty, Lindsey Buckingham, Jackson Browne and members of the Beach Boys, among others. Are these old friends that you contact privately?
Schmit: Exactly. It's people I've known for decades that I just call or email - like, "You guys up for it?" Fortunately, most of them get back to me and say, "Sure, man, let's do it." It's a very casual, informal thing among colleagues, and I myself like to play on other people's albums - because that's what musicians do. We focus on making good music; the best that's in us.
