Tim White (Quinton Whitman in Second Life) my style is some what unigue style has been shaped by a myroad of influences - from the traditional Appalachian mountain music and storytelling of his grandparents and artist such as Woddy Guthrie; to the bluegrass and country music that surrounded him growing up by such as Doc Watson and Johny Cash; to the folk and political songs of singer/songwriters like Muddy Waters, Pete Seager, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, David Bromberg and Crosby, Stills & Nash that inspired me in his teens; to the intricate, haunting picking styles if an assortment of artists. I spent 4 years performing country with the Flaherty Brothers Band, a 12 year jaunt with the jass/fusion band Still Portrait, then 5 years with the rock band The Ride.
Born in the the mountain state of West Virginia, I began playing guitar when he was 12 years old. Though he always continued to play guitar, for most years he was primarily known as a bass player - transiting from rock to country to jazz back to rock.
My first love though was, and is, the guitar and he has returned to it full force when I discovered the virtual world of Second Life and began streaming in live shows as a solo performer.
Linear notes from No Rest for the Bleary
Tallan White—Roots music mash up
I was trying to think of the best description I could use for what Tallan White (Quinton Whitman in Second Life) does live with his voice and acoustic guitar. The best I can call it is my use of the current buzz term mash up.
Mash up is used usually with some in vogue producer’s description of what it is they do---taking songs or music styles and slamming them together to create something new---sort of the mating of styles by technological means. But what does this have to do with Tallan White?
Over the last few months, I’ve noticed that the styles from where Tallan draws are getting blurry. His song list includes Appalachian folk, blues, jazz, a bit of funk, and more than a bit of music hall - but the styles are breaking down and flowing like syrup. Tallan keeps getting more and more individual. He’s singing with a lot of passion and his guitar work keeps it grounded. Plus now, his guitar work has gone in new sonic directions. He’s not overdoing it, but it’s gorgeous when he lets go.
Here, on No Rest For the Bleary, you get choice live cuts recorded during Second Life club dates. These tunes find Tallan taking chances and holding on for dear life. I think you’ll enjoy this CD. You’ll hear his roots influences mashed up but good. Enjoy it.
-Marx Loeb (Speelo Snook in Second Life)
