Tons o' new songs from Tim Easton (and "Dark Watson") on myspace

One of the most talented troubadours in the land, Tim Easton, has announced he will be unleashing at least one new song every week for the rest of the year on his myspace page. This also applies apparently to his "folk/black metal/garage" side project, "Dark Watson," a clever nod to one of Tim's heroes, Doc Watson (judging from the initial offerings, Dark Watson looks to be an outlet for Tim's songs that lean more to the pure folk/blues end of the musical spectrum). Always a prolific songwriter, Easton has generously decided to share his bounty with his fans across the fruited -- and virtual -- plains.

The initial offerings have nearly all been first rate, including outtakes from recent Easton studio projects as well as leftovers dating all the way back to the Haynes Boys era.

Keep 'em coming Tim! Kudos.

Tim Easton

Dark Watson

New West Records

Tim Easton footage from Dublin

Tim in Dublin

I think the "everyone" thing still works right? Anyways here's
some quickfun from Dublin town. Some of the more subversive business had to be
edited out. And I did notdraw a SPLIFF comming out of the mouth of a Sinn
Fein (political wing of I.R.A.) guy on his poster. Anyways, please enjoy
and pass the word.

Tim, in Madison.

Tim on MySpace

Timeaston.com

(Tim @ in-store performance in Mpls - July 2006)

Burnbarrel: the intersection of Tim Easton, JP Olsen and The Haynes Boys

"Who/what is Burnbarrel?"

Burnbarrel was the name of a 1999 release on the Heathen label, the original home of Tim Easton's "Special 20" album the year before. The "band" was Tim Easton, JP Olsen (lyricist for many of Tim's song and formerly of The Beetkeepers -- more on them in a sec), a coupla Haynes Boys and the bass player from Special 20. Burnbarrel was basically a showcase for Olsen -- he wrote all the songs and sings them, too. It's a fine album -- lots of strange songs and odd characters and, not surprisingly, it bears more than a passing sonic similarity to the mighty 1996 Haynes Boys album. For Easton fans it's significant cuz it features the original versions of two songs Tim would later cover (a stripped down "Far Rockaway"/"John Gilmartin" and a truly amazing version of "Bad Florida"). Anybody who's familiar with the Olsen songs that Easton has done over the years know that his lyrical skills are quite accomplished and rather distinctive -- his songs are often very literary and full of interesting, memorable characters (i find myself thinking of the likes of John Prine and Warren Zevon when i listen to his words -- pretty high praise i guess). Olsen has been in and out of the music biz over the last few decades, balancing a career in journalism with his songwriting. Burnbarrel are supposedly still a viable thing and were slated to have a new album out last year, but i don't remember hearing anything about it lately.

http://www.myspace.com/burnbarrelband

The Beetkeepers were a late 80s band from Columbus who were supposed to be the schnizzle. They were a trio, again featuring JP's (known then as James) songs and voice. They put out one extremely hard to find album in 1988 on No Other; there may be other releases, but i had a hard enough time tracking this one down. It's similar to the Burnbarrel vibe, although a bit "rockier." Again, Easton has dipped into this well for songs; the album features the original versions of 3 songs Tim later covered, including one of his signature live songs, "Don't Walk Alone."

As for the Haynes Boys, i know i'm not the only one who has sung their praises. There sole album, "Guardian Angel," is a definite must own, especially if you have more than a passing interest in Mr. Easton. There's not a whole lot around in the Haynes Boys rarities dept., but enough for a mini box set: two pre-Guardian Angel 45s, a promo-only outtake from the album sessions, a track on a Pere Ubu tribute album (?!), a couple of great 1997 soundboards, and some post-album demos that feature songs that later would show up on Burnbarrel and Special 20. They also put out 2 or 3 casette-only releases, but they've proven to be too elusive for this detective (if anybody has these, they need to contact me pronto!).

Review: Tim Easton - 2/11/03 - 400 Bar - Mpls, MN

For the second album in a row, Tim opened his tour in Minneapolis smack dab in the dead of winter. And last night was particularly nasty, so it was encouraging to see a couple hundred brave souls head out on a crappy Tuesday night.

After touring solo last year Tim is performing this year with drummer Miles Loretta and bass player Keith Hanna. This is a no frills yet very competent trio who cover a variety of styles quite nicely. After seeing several sterling solo sets from Tim over the last few years it was a blast to see him in an electric setting for the first time in almost 2 years (he toured briefly with Rosavelt in the spring of 2001 and played a few dates with a pared down, Tweedy-less Wilco in the months before that when "The Truth About Us" was released).

Tim was clearly itching to play, pumped about the new record and excited to be "plugged in" - the show went on for 2-1/4 hours (!!). Tim kept joking on about venturing too close to "jam" territory as the songs just kept pouring out. Tim is actually a pretty decent electric guitarist (as anyone who ever saw the Haynes Boys can attest to) and the live versions of much of the stuff from the new record were louder and edgier than the more finely tuned studio arrangements. Tim didn't touch an acoustic guitar for well over an hour when we finally got a few riveting solo songs.

The biggest surprise of the night was the pointed avoidance of "The Truth About Us" material - only a few songs and 2 of those were drastically rearranged. More songs from "Special 20" were performed than from "Truth". Also interesting was the presence of some "new" songs - a few from 2001 that didn't make the cut for the new record and some of even more recent vintage. It was kinda funny to hear somebody talking about the "next record" on he first date of a 2 month tour in support of the "new" record.

Aside from all the great "Break Your Mothers Heart" songs, the personal highlights for me included a solo reading of a stunning new song ("Reliable Man," also performed last fall) and 2 songs from "Special 20" that I'd never seen live before ("Just Like Home" and "Everywhere is Somewhere").

Needless to say, based on this fine debut performance I'd highly recommend this tour to anyone lucky enough to be in its path. The band chemistry was very good for a first show and I'm sure it will improve in the coming weeks. Tim's a great songwriter, a compelling performer and a hell of a nice guy, too. BYMH is a brilliant album and contains some of Tim's best ever songs (Rolling Stone will be giving it 4 stars in an upcoming issue, for what that's worth). BTW, all three of his albums are available for sale at the shows along with some cool tour posters.

SETLIST
Tim Easton + band
400 Bar - Minneapolis, MN - 11 February 2003

1. Watching the Lightning
2. Poor, Poor LA
3. Black Hearted Ways
4. Lexington Jail
5. John Gilmartin
6. Half a Day
7. Amor Azul
8. Just Like Home
9. Hanging Tree
10. True Ways
11. Everywhere is Somewhere
12. All the Pretty Girls Leave Town
13. Special 20
14. Man That You Need (solo acoustic)
15. Next to You (new) (solo acoustic)
16. Carry Me (acoustic)
17. Don't Walk Alone
18. Baltimore (new)
19. Out of Your Life
20. Lonesome, Lonesome (??) (new)
21. Bad Florida
22. Listen to Her Heart (Tom Petty cover)
23. I Am a Pilgrim (Merle Travis cover)
24. Rewind
25. Reliable Man (new) (solo acoustic)
26. Long Cold Night (new)
27. I Want You (She's So Heavy) (Beatles cover)
28. Pick a Bale of Cotton (trad / Leadbelly "cover")



Tim Easton 2003 tour
2/11: Minneapolis, 400 Bar
2/12: Madison, Club Montmarte
2/13: Chicago, The Abbey Pub
2/14: Columbus, OH, Little Brothers
2/15: Pittsburgh, PA, Club Cafe Live
2/18: Arlington, VA, Iota Club and Cafe
2/19: New York, Village Underground
2/20: Boston, TT the Bear's
2/21: Philadelphia, The Point
2/22: Cleveland, Beachland Ballroom
2/24: Grand Rapids, MI, One Trick Pony
2/27: Asheville, NC, Grey Eagle Tavern
2/28: Winston Salem, NC, The Garage
3/1: Atlanta, Red Light Cafe
3/4: Louisville, KY, Gerstles
3/7: Dayton, OH, Canal St. Tavern
3/8: Nashville, Exit/In
3/11: Dallas, Gypsy Tea Room
3/12: San Antonio, Casbeers
3/20: Los Angeles, Largo
3/22: San Francisco, Bottom of the Hill
3/27: Seattle, Tractor Tavern
3/28: Portland, OR, Aladdin Theater