‘Exposition’ Traces Tim Easton’s Travels through Iconic Musical Locales and Themes
Grant Britt
Posted On June 13, 2019
Just like his music reflects his wandering troubadour’s soul, Tim Easton’s latest outpouring is culled from locations across the country, each one selected for a memorable sound captured by a folk or blues icon. Easton recorded at The Okfuskee County Historical Society in Okemah, Oklahoma, because the town is the birthplace of Woody Guthrie. The Gunter Hotel in San Antonio, Texas, was where Robert Johnson recorded, and the Shack Up Inn is located in Muddy Waters’ hometown of Clarksdale, Mississippi.
Self-produced recordings are risky enough under normal circumstances, but Easton chose to crowdfund his project through PledgeMusic, which suspended operations and planned a bankruptcy filing last month, and it’s unclear whether he will ever see the money pledged by supporters. But Easton went ahead with the project, funding it himself and vowing not to disappoint fans or vendors.
The spirit of Woody Guthrie shines through in “You and Your Troublesome Friends” with a message that goes right into the Oval Office: “You go ’round messing up things, sticking your nose in other people’s business / Leading us down dead ends,” Easton proclaims, asking why “If there’s no trash on your side, why do you talk it all down the line?” and exposing our fearless leader’s bully pulpit tactics with “We play rock paper scissors and you pull out dynamite.”
Muddy gets a visit on “If You Want Something Done Right,” a laid-back but forceful and single-minded approach to survival that preaches self-reliance as a religion.
Woody’s spirit pops up again in the John Prine vocal and lyrical soundalike “Don’t Spectate, Participate,” a get-your-head-out-of-your-ass-and-do-something timeless anthem.
“Broken Brain” could have come out of a brain-bustin’ Robert Johnson fever dream fueled by too much whiskey and fast women who are always a step or two ahead.
Whether PledgeMusic lives up to its obligations or not, Easton’s outpouring here more than makes up for any stutter steps made by them in his name. Under his own banner, Easton choogles along on an over-the-road odyssey that unearths some old heads for a fresh makeover while keeping their spirits intact.
