154. Tim Easton Discusses Joni Mitchell, Blue

You, Me and An Album

Nashville-based singer/songwriter Tim Easton joins Al to discuss an album that has nearly been the subject of several previous episodes (but never quite made the cut), Joni Mitchell’s album Blue from 1971. Tim talks about the unusual circumstance under which he first heard Blue as a teenager, why it is an important album for him and for many songwriters and how it has influenced his own work. He also talks about the time he met Mitchell in Los Angeles, as well as the time he briefly shared a living space and busked with Beck in Paris. Tim talks about making his new album Find Your Way and about his current and upcoming plans.

Al mentioned an interview that Tim did with Otis Gibbs. You can access that video on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtmuIfC-nZM

Tim talked about the video he made for “Everything You’re Afraid Of.” Check it out here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxeMR2MNCnk

Be sure to follow Tim on Instagram and YouTube at @TimEastonSongwriter, and visit his Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/TimEaston. You can find Tim’s music on his website, https://www.timeaston.com/, and his Bandcamp page, https://timeaston1.bandcamp.com/.

Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Instagram and Threads at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/

1:15 Tim joins the show

1:52 Tim can’t believe Blue hadn’t already been covered on YMAAA

3:03 Tim explains the unusual circumstance under which he first listened to Blue

3:53 Tim talks about the personal quality of Blue

7:48 Does one need to be into poetry to “get” Joni Mitchell?

10:52 Tim was impressed by how Mitchell’s voice blends with the instruments

15:23 Tim talks about the subtle sensuality of her lyrics

16:51 Tim shares his story about how Mitchell influenced the making of his album Break Your Mother’s Heart

20:38 Tim talks about the emotional quality that Blue has for him

26:03 Tim hopes to pass on his appreciation of Mitchell to his daughter

26:56 Tim notes the roster of esteemed musicians who accompanied Mitchell on Blue

29:02 Tim explains how Mitchell has influenced his music

33:21 Tim cites what he thinks are the most notable tracks from Blue

39:43 Tim made Find Your Way as a cohesive whole

46:30 Tim walks through the process of recording Find You Way in Canada

49:49 Tim talks about busking with Beck in Paris

56:13 Tim reveals what he might have picked if he didn’t pick Blue

58:59 Tim explains the meaning behind his song “Everything You’re Afraid Of”

1:01:32 Tim talks about his current and upcoming projects

Outro music is from “Everything You’re Afraid Of” by Tim Easton.

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