Songs are simply stories. A great reminder to this comes in the new album Long Walk Home from New York-based singer/songwriter Tim Brandt. Giving listeners a glimpse into a man’s life that has been filled with love, and some disappointments, Brandt presses forward and spreads happiness in each note.
Though he wrote his debut effort, My Inner Child in 2007, while living in Seattle, the gap between the albums hasn’t diminished his guitar skills and certainly not his lyric writing prowess. Brandt is at his best when he’s sharing words from the heart and all of the nine songs (one is a demo track) on Long Walk Home have sincere roots. What I witnessed and felt during these songs are the mark of a true artist and a point-of-view that is so relatable. Quite simply, he’s honest. It’s refreshing and timely with the recent passing of legendary songwriter, John Prine. I’m not saying the baton has been passed to Brandt, but he is certainly in the running vicinity.
Some of the tracks deserving a shout out include the “There And Back Again” (track two), “Love Is On Your Side” (track three) and “Never Turn Away” (track eight). “There And Back Again” strides along, the guitar strums like honey suckle on a warm, summer day. Reflective, Brandt sings “I went there and back again, been 15 years my friend, cross the desert, to the sea, it is always you and me.” The setting just felt immediate. I was transported to the years unfolding, like a flip book. The gray in his voice is not dark or dreary, it’s the aged voice of a man who’s fulfilled.
In “Love Is On Your Side” the guitar playing continues to dance around Brandt’s stoic vocals. He always stays within his vocal range, but it is his guitar that changes melodies and harmonies. “Let your thoughts come to another tie, once upon a time,” he sets up the listener for another life tale. At one stanza he sings, “don’t worry about what they think inside, don’t let the laughter ruin your life, they can never break your pride”. While the lyrics are sad, and I had immediate empathy, it also made me think of young kids being bullied. What a strong statement to share. Brave. Vulnerable. A bass guitar snakes its way throughout the song, peaking its head just above the guitar in key spots. The guitar always responds with confidence and endearment.
“Never Turn Away” has the line “the scenery has changes, from my home I’ll never turn away” and it grounded the idea that Brandt really has shared so much of his personal feelings, a diary of his life’s journey. He’s so centered in his home, as we all are to a point. What grooves and gives the listener such fulfillment in Brandt’s work is his simple approach. It’s nice to slow down and listen to a song or two that doesn’t need all the bells and whistles. He’s raw, but highly engaging.
Troy Johnston