Break Your Mother's Heart

Tim Easton | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 11, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: New West Records
• ASIN: B000087JC5
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #60,444 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

A thousand sad-eyed strummers studied the sacred texts of L.A.'s Class of '72: Neil Young's Harvest and Gram Parsons's GP. Writing and recording 30 years later in the same town, Tim Easton cribbed from that scene too, but his third solo disc echoes a much less commonly cited source: Jackson Browne. Though Easton's easy, affable vocal tone has always been a bit Browne-like, the similarity goes far beyond the superficial this time--not least because Easton enlisted the rich, relaxed backing of a cadre of SoCal session vets, each of whom played with Browne previously. Here, Jai Winding's Hammond organ animates the Eldridge Cleaver-inspired single "Poor, Poor LA," Greg Leisz's Dobro colors the dreamy "Amor Azul," Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell adds depth and jangle to "Black Hearted Ways," and drum giant Jim Keltner and bassist Hutch Hutchinson keep the beats. Of course, none of that would matter if Easton's songs weren't simply so good. Though it loses steam slightly in its second half, this smart, catchy, and carefully detailed disc proves that sometimes, they do make them like they used to. --Anders Smith Lindall

Product Description

Produced by John Hanlon (Neil Young, Grandaddy, Beach Boys), Break Your Mother’s Heart has the warmth and feel of the past. Nearly all of the ten songs were cut in one or two takes, with Tim Playing guitar and singing live in the same room as the band. The CD features Tim on acoustic and electric guitars, harmonica, mandolin, keyboards and percussion. He was accompanied by a close-knit trio of skilled session players led by master drummer Jim Keltner (John Lennon, Randy Newman), bassist Hutch Hutchinson (Bonnie Raitt) and keyboardist Jai Winding (Jackson Browne). The well-traveled Athens, GA resident has made a name for himself on the road, having played with the likes of John Hiatt, Cowboy Junkies, The Flatlanders and The Jayhawks among others.

Break Your Mother’s Heart is firm testimony that Tim Easton is a unique and identifiable song stylist and this is a career record that ought to delight, provoke and engage all who listen.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tim Easton---Always in my CD player, June 16, 2003

By 

C. Davis (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Break Your Mother's Heart (Audio CD)

I fell in love with Tim Easton's music when I heard him open for Mark Eitzel in Portland, OR last year. I quickly snatched up "The Truth About Us" and found it to be brilliant and heart-felt. "Break Your Mother's Heart" took about three listens and I was hooked. (I'm now trying to find a copy of "Special 20.") Tim's gravelly voice and beautiful lyrics meld together perfectly, creating songs that provide sometimes humorous and sometimes heartbreaking glimpses in to other people's lives (listen to "John Gilmartin" for the heartbreak).

And regarding a previous review ... who compared him to Matthew Sweet?? That's just a bizarre comparison; I don't hear it at all. It's hard to compare him to anyone, but I think that if Paul Westerberg and Wilco were to smash together, they might sound something like Tim Easton. But Tim is unique, and his music can stand on it's own. Tim never has trouble finding people to play on his albums, and seems to be able to pick and choose among immensely talented musicians---it's a testament to his own talent.

If you haven't bought the album yet, do so and you won't be disappointed ... and while you're at it pick up "The Truth About Us" as well!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Winning "Heart", April 22, 2003

By 

Brian D. Rubendall (Oakton, VA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Break Your Mother's Heart (Audio CD)

Tim Easton's "Break Your Mother's Heart" is everything a singer-songwriter album ought to be; smart, tuneful, and hook laden. Easton's last album, "The Truth About Us," was overproduced and had only a few catchy songs. Not so this time out. The very first track, "Poor, Poor LA" has tough lyrics, but a chorus you can sing along to. "John Gilmartin," is an excellent folk rock tune, while the gorgeous ballad "Hummingbird" is reminiscent of Matthew Sweet's best moments. Unfolding over nearly seven minutes, "Watch the Lightning" is the kind of song fellow LA troubador Jackson Browne might have written on his best day.

The album is well produced and Easton is backed by a crack group of experienced sessions musicians. They suit his laid back style much better than the members of Wilco did on his last album. The CD booklet contains photographs of the artist as well as a full lyrics sheet.

Overall, a tuneful winner of an album from a singer-songwriter who deserves a much bigger audience.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars read on . . ., March 25, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Break Your Mother's Heart (Audio CD)

songs 6-9 are four of the most beautiful songs I have heard in a row on a cd in a long time. "watching the lightning" in particular is stunning. let me know if you agree. overall an extraordinary cd. i usually am more reserved in my reviews, but this cd deserves all the accolades that it gets. don't let anybody steer you wrong--just get it