Customer Reviews

All Good'Uns

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ian Tyson is still a great singer and song writer. After forty years his voice has lost some range--I guess he found no foun-
tain of youth--but his control is great and his writing is at least good as ever. Some of the songs on the CD don't appeal to me much, but its obvious Tyson takes the emotions serious-
ly. Nothing ever seems false.
As a singer, he's become quite matter-of-fact when dealing with subjects which are, for many of his story-telling personae, matters of great personal loss or nostalgia. "Old Double Dia-mond", "MC Horses" and "Fifty Years Ago" are songs with legitimately sad subjects, but Tyson's characters never cry in their beer--at least not while he's singing.
Musically the CD seems like it's from another era--one when sidemen didn't have to show off every chance they got. Don't get me wrong, because there are some real examples of instru- mental prowess--the solo guitar break in "Old Double Diamomd" is absolutely perfect the same way the solo guitar break in the studio version of "Sympathy for the Devil" by the Stones is perfect. Properly, the music supports the songs.
It's funny, but a lot of current country artistes would cer-
tainly benefit from the kind of control Ian Tyson obviously brings to the studio. I'm betting he learned how to do it the old-fashioned way. He probably earned it.

Thought I should clue folks into the fact that this is a CD of "all the good 'uns" - a "best of" compilation. Naturally I could quibble, because I think anything Ian does is really good. (And, unfortunately, really different - I wish other artists had his integrity; I wish other plain folks, walking the talk, had his musicality. We need more songs, more voices like his in our lives.)

If you're wanting to give someone thoughtful a thoughtful gift, something that might challenge their overly civilized sensibilities but not leave their ears twanging, then this is a great introduction to great lyrics and good, memorable music, celebrating really good lives.

Ian Tyson is a true artist. I can even begin to describe his voice, his message, or his passion for what it is he sings about, which is western life and culture. The man is a creatice genious and his songs are melodic and haunting. The music stays with you long after the song is over.

Tyson is a true artist. One of a few real poet/songwriters left. He can paint a beautiful straight forward no b.s. word picture and put the picture to a unique and memorable melody that has a great beat and that makes you want to sing along with him and "the boys". Its evident that he really loves the western culture that once was here in the western United States. His voice carries his messages with clarity and honesty. He should receive the air play that his talent deserves here in the USA. He is not as well know here as he deserves to be.

I first heard Ian as part of Ian and Sylvia which my older brother would listen to in the 1960s. I recently picked up this album on a hunch and was so pleased to find I enjoyed it so much. As opposed to 'country music' Tyson's songs are truly about the cowboy life. I can almost feel the big sky and open range as I listen. This is the authentic thing. Highly recommended.

I was raised on music.Family history of Oberlin,Juliard etc.The influences of Dylan,Presley,The Beatles,Pink Floyd, all truly pale in there influence on My life."The Wonder of it All" "M.C.Horses "Magpie" all leave me with far more then I was very lucky to get from the early years of influence. I saw Ian and Sylvia in Copley SQ ,Boston around 1968 and new then of his greatness...One does not review a Russell painting,50 years of life or the influences of All the Good'Uns in 1000 words.Tyson is the Mother of all North American Western Musical influence today. I ask if you have ever reviewed your Mother... Truly reviewed her. Just listen "in" the music of the great "All the Good'Uns". I'd give it 6 stars if I could but I can't truly review it.

"Alberta's Child" is one of those classics that one of these days is 'suddenly' going to show up everywhere, like "Unchained Melody" did. Buy the CD for this reason if no other.

Ian Tyson's music transcends the mishmash of today's popular music and truthfully captures the essence and attitude of cowboy culture.

When city life starts to get us down, we play this CD over and over. Ian's strong clear voice fills the house, taking us back out to that glorious wild country where the air is crisp and fresh, and mountains and prairie rest in silence under a vast overarching sky. Betty Jo grew up in rural western Montana, and I worked in the mountains with pack and saddle stock for twelve years, so hearing this CD is like going back to our real home, forever fresh in our hearts. Ian is our favorite singer/songwriter. This is his latest and, we feel, most rewarding collection. Almost every track gets five stars in our house!

I recently met Ian Tyson at the NCHA Futurity in Fort Worth. He took the time to sign an autograph for me and visit with me. He is just as great in person as he is on this album as well as all his others. All his song stir an emotion in you. Whether they make you laugh or cry. I have been a cowboy all my life and his songs ring true.