Playin' It Cool Explained
| Playin' It Cool |
| Type: | studio |
| Artist: | Timothy B. Schmit |
| Cover: | Playin' It Cool.jpg |
| Border: | yes |
| Released: | September 17, 1984 |
| Studio: | Record One and Amigo Studios (Los Angeles, California); Redwing Studios (Tarzana, California) |
| Genre: |
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| Length: | 33:07 |
| Label: | Asylum |
| Producer: |
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| Next Title: | Timothy B. |
| Next Year: | 1987 |
Playin' It Cool is the debut solo studio album by American musician Timothy B. Schmit, the bass guitarist and co-lead vocalist for the Eagles. The album was released in 1984 on Asylum in the United States and Europe. The album features guest appearances from Don Henley, Joe Walsh, Steve Lukather, Carl Wilson, J.D. Souther and Rita Coolidge.
Critical reception
Reviewing for AllMusic, critic Rob Theakston wrote of the album "The production on several of these tunes sound antiquated in comparison to the super glossed production of the mid-eighties; almost reminiscent of Schmit's tunes in the Eagles. It certainly doesn't help matters that many of his Southern California compadres (Henley, Carl Wilson, Joe Walsh and JD Souther) make guest appearances, leading to the notion that Playin' It Cool is an album that was several years in the making. It's not the worst of Eagles solo records, but it is certainly nowhere near the best either."
Personnel
Musicians
- Timothy B. Schmit – vocals, bass (1–4, 8), backing vocals (1, 2, 4), guitars (5), percussion (7)
- Vince Melamed – keyboards (1, 2, 4, 6–8)
- David Paich – keyboards (6, 7), percussion (6)
- Michael Utley – organ (9)
- Josh Leo – guitars (1), percussion (2), backing vocals (2), first guitar solo (4, 9), acoustic guitar (7), rhythm guitar (9), bass (9), chorus harmony vocals (9)
- Steve Lukather – second and end guitar solos (4), guitars (6, 8), electric guitar (7)
- Joe Walsh – slide guitar (4), third guitar solo (4), second and end guitar solos (9)
- Bob Glaub – bass (6, 7)
- Craig Krampf – drums (1, 9), percussion (2)
- Harry Stinson – Simmons snare drum (2), Roland TR-808 (2)
- John Robinson – drums (3)
- Don Henley – percussion (2), drums (4), backing vocals (4)
- Jeff Porcaro – drums (6–8), percussion (6, 7), tambourine (8)
- Keith Knudsen – tambourine (9)
- Greg Smith – baritone saxophone (6)
- Bill Bergman – tenor saxophone (6)
- Jim Coile – tenor saxophone (6)
- Steve Allen – tenor saxophone (8)
- Sam Clayton – backing vocals (1)
- J.D. Souther – backing vocals (1, 6)
- Carl Wilson – backing vocals (2)
- Rita Coolidge – backing vocals (9)
- Max Gronenthal – backing vocals (9)
- David Lasley – backing vocals (9)
Cheers on "Playin' It Cool"
- Jean Cromie
- Carole Damien
- Debra Dobkin
- Joan Kreiss
- Jeddrah Schmit
- Jay Harris
- Renee Larose Leo
- Lindah K. Lauderbough
Production
- Josh Leo – producer (1, 4–9)
- Timothy B. Schmit – producer (1, 4–9), cover concept
- Russ Titleman – producer (3)
- Niko Bolas – recording (1, 2, 4–9), mixing
- Mark Linett – engineer (3)
- Richard Bosworth – second engineer, assistant engineer, mix assistant
- Denny Densmore – second engineer
- Larry Hinds – second engineer
- Bob Loftus – second engineer
- Duane Seykora – second engineer
- Ernie Sheesley – second engineer
- Wayne Tanouye – second engineer
- Joe Gastwirt – mastering
- Dan Hersch – mastering assistant
- Bruce Ayers – cover concept
- Jean Cromie – cover concept
- Gary Burden – cover concept, art direction, design
- Jenice Heo – art direction, design
- Henry Diltz – photography
Chart performance
Singles
