Tim Shelton Pays Tribute to Songwriting
Hero with Jackson Browne Revisited,
His Post-NewFound Road Solo Debut on Dry
Lightning Records
Renowned gospel and bluegrass artist expands musical palette with
12-track release
DAYTON, Ohio — There’s hardly a recording artist on the
planet who hasn’t done at least a few cover tunes in homage to major
influences. But releasing an entire album covering Jackson Browne’s most iconic
classics? If you’re gonna try that, you’d better bring it. Fortunately, Tim
Shelton does exactly that on Jackson Browne Revisited, his new
release on Dry Lightning Records.
Shelton, who guided the band NewFound Road from gospel to
bluegrass and beyond, has left that chapter behind to pursue his other musical
passions, including his love for Browne and similar songwriters. Hints of what
was to come appeared on NewFound Road’s 2011 album, Live at the Down Home, on which they covered Browne’s “These Days”
and songs by Tom T. Hall, Bill Withers, Dave Loggins and other icons. But on Jackson
Browne Revisited, he concentrates on his biggest influence.
“Jackson Browne is one the best songwriters and musicians of
our day,” says Shelton. “His music, especially the songs from the ‘70s, just
speaks to my soul.”
Co-producing with Paul Kolderie (Radiohead, Warren Zevon,
Hole, the Pixies), Ohio native Shelton wraps his rich vocals around 12 Browne
classics, including “Doctor My Eyes” and “Somebody’s Baby.” Their arrangements
impeccably capture the spirit of the beloved California folk rocker’s
beautifully crafted work, while going far beyond mere re-creations of the
originals.
They recorded at the Monastery Studio, owned by Ric Hordinski, co-founder of renowned
Ohio band Over the Rhine. Contributors include Josh Shilling on piano and harmonies,
vocalists Sonya Isaacs (the Isaacs) and Shawn Lane (Doyle Lawson, Ricky Scaggs,
Blue Highway), Grammy-winning flatpicking guitarist Clay Hess (Ricky Skaggs), bassist
Dave LaBruyere (John Mayer, Vigilantes of Love) and Cincinnati-based drummer Josh
Seurkamp.
“I
knew that I wanted to get a great band and keep it as live sounding as
possible,” Shelton notes. Tracking live in the studio, they created a sonic
document that breathes new life into Browne’s work, revisiting songs from his
self-titled 1972 debut to 1983’s I’m
Alive. They include “Take It Easy,” the Browne/Glenn Frey composition that
became the Eagles’ first hit before Browne recorded it on 1973’s For Everyman. “Fountain of Sorrow” and
the title tune from 1974’s Late for the
Sky are here, along with two
tracks from 1977’s Running on Empty —
one of which, “The Road,” is the only track not actually written or co-written
by Browne; it’s credited to his friend Danny O’Keefe. The closer is one of Browne’s
most revered, and timeless composition: “The Pretender.”
“What I'm most proud of with this record is we were able to
keep emotion in these songs, even though they're not mine,” Shelton says. “I
can relate to these lyrics. Hopefully, others will dig it too.”
Jackson Browne Revisited track list
1. Doctor My Eyes
2. Love Needs A Heart
3. The Road
4. Late For The Sky
5. Something Fine
6. Fountain Of Sorrow
7. Somebody’s Baby
8. Take This Rain
9. Call It A Loan
10. Take It Easy
11. My Opening Farewell
12. The Pretender
Tour dates
June 27 – Rudyfest, Grayson, Ky. (NewFound Road reunion show)
June 27 – Rudyfest, Grayson, Ky. (NewFound Road reunion show)
July 9 – Beachland Park, Cleveland, Ohio
July 11 – George Rogers Clark Park, Springfield, Ohio (with
Clay Hess)
Aug. 1 – Everett’s Music Barn, Suwannee, Ga.
Aug. 13 – Katherine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, Old
Saybrook, Conn.
Sept. 18 – Poppy Mountain Festival, Morehead, Ky. (NewFound
Road reunion show)
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