Customer Reviews

Carry Me Across the Mountain

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As other people, I first heard Dan Tyminski in the movie soundtrack "O' brother where art thou?" so I immediately bought this CD and....WOW! While listening to his music you can't stop your feet! Here in Italy, this kind of music is not popular at all and is not easy to find ... but luckily there's Internet. Dan Tyminski evolves tradition into bluegrass 2000. He's not a beginner, but this is his first solo album; I hope not the only one. He plays skillfully a lot of instruments and he knows very well how to employ his voice, ranging from baritone to tenor, really a beautyful voice, expressive, powerful, melodious but not mawkish. This CD is pure energy, I highly recommend it.

Dan Tyminski is in an enviable position, and has been for a number of years. He is a very talented guitarist and mandolinist, and he came up through the Bluegrass ranks honestly, grabbing attention with his voice as much as his instrumental work. That has led him to his current "gig": the right-hand man for Bluegrass MegaStar Alison Krauss. Could Dan Tyminski step out on his own? Absolutely - but even Bluegrass Superstars play grueling schedules in front of crowds that are often meager. In Union Station Dan plays with Alison and Jerry Douglas and Ron Block and Barry Bales, and they play packed arenas as often as they like. What's more, the success of the "O Brother" soundtrack (Dan performed the singing voice for George Clooney in the film) has brought wealth and fame that are head-turning for someone who has labored for two decades in the relative obscurity of Bluegrass.

All that being said: Carry Me Across the Mountain was recorded right before "O Brother", and it is a fine Bluegrass record. The title track opens the album with a ballad by Hazel Dickens (autobiographical, we are told) about being a deathly sick child who was carried across the mountains to the nearest doctor to be saved. Almost every track that follows is a treasure. "Tiny Broken Heart" is a gem and a half (and is performed live on the Alison Krauss and Union Station Live CD/DVD). The final track is a driving rework of Jimmy Martin's "Sunny Side of the Mountain". I personally didn't care much for "Please Dear Mommy", which seemed kind of maudlin even for a country-genre song, but overall I couldn't take away from my 5 star rating because the remainder of the CD is as good as Bluegrass gets.

This CD absolutely "wowed" me! I have always loved Union Station and was excited to see Dan Tyminski take off on his own. What a powerful and well-balanced CD. From the very first song, the title cut, Carry Me Across the Mountain, you will be taken in by the soothing melodies and harmonies on this CD. The old and the new come together to make this a very playable and enjoyable CD. This CD hosts some awesome guest appearances, i.e. Allison Kraus, Tim Rice, Aubrey Hayne, Dan's brother, Stan, Adam Steffey (mandolin genius), Ron Block and Barry Bales, the latter three all current or former members of Union Station; and one of my all time favorite singers/composers, Ronnie Bowman. This CD is chocked full of original tunes and a couple from the past, which bring it all together nicely. I can't say enough about this CD, you simply have to hear it for yourself. You'll fall in love with the Ronnie Bowman song, "Please Dear Mommy" and the song "Tiny Broken Heart" makes you smile and cry at the same time. Allison Kraus' lovely harmony adds so much to that song. Dan Tyminski has done a wonderful job with this "eagerly awaited" CD and it is a must for any serious bluegrass collector.

I must admit I am new to this type of music, but this is a great CD. I heard "oh brother where art thou" playing on the radio one day and tried to find out what was that style and it led me to this CD. I can't stop listening to it. I look forward to hearing much more from Dan Tyminski.I have to agree with another review, Ron Stewart's fiddle playing on tracks 6 & 9 is fabulous. This is a great CD.

Successful artists often distinguish themselves from others by the ability to share their excitement with their audiences. The Johnson Mountain Boys did it in the 80's, the Lonesome River Band - with Dan Tyminski - started doing it in the early 90's and with this album Dan proves that he is a true genius at getting his audiences excited. Just listen to his rhythm-guitar in the classic „Sunny Side Of The Mountain"; Wow! You can actually experience every Joule of energy he put into it. Everything comes straight from the soul; fascinating vocals as well as tasteful playing, this album is full of it. Featuring both traditional and somewhat modern material, this album is well balanced. Apart from Dan's bandmates of Union Station, the album also features some guests: his brother Stan, Ronnie Bowman, Jim Mills, Aubrey Haynie, Dwight McCall, Adam Steffey & Tony Rice. A highly recommended album for every Bluegrass lover - exciting (traditional) Bluegrass music of revolutionary quality.

If there were 10 stars, this CD would receive them all. An absolutely amazing compilation of bluegrass. This is true bluegrass, unlike the more "pop" sound of most of AKUS' pieces now. If you love bluegrass, this is a must own!!!!

Dan proves that he belongs right up there next to Alison Krauss with this CD. A pure magical journey only to be experienced over and over again. I haven't taken this CD out of my player except to play Alisons newest release, and then Dan goes back in. Buy this Cd now!

Since joining Alison Krauss's band Union Station in the late-Nineties, Dan Tyminski's star has been on the rise. With the release of "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" Tyminki's stock went through the roof. [In case you've been living in a cave for the past couple years, its'sTyminski's vocal on "Man of Constant Sorrow."] This album was released just months before the relase of the OBWAT? soundtrack, and it's filled with wonderful traditional bluegrass music. Tony Rice lends support on a couple tracks as does Alison Krauss along with all the members of Union Station. Favorite tracks include the gospel number "Praise the Lord" (co-written by Tyminski) and the Louvin Brothers cover, "Tiny Broken Heart." With artists like Dan Tyminski to carry the bluegrass torch into the 21st Century, the future of bluegrass looks bright indeed. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

In addition to the praise the other reviewers have lavished on Carry Me Across the Mountain, I'd just like to add that Ron Stewart's fiddle playing on "Be Assured" and on "Praise the Lord" is some of the best I've ever heard. These guys cook! Probably the best new album I've heard this year.

Dan Tyminski was, for a long time, known as a bandmate of Alison Krauss' (in her band Union Station). Then he got a little more attention on his own as the authentically twangy voice that came out of George Clooney's mouth when the actor "sang" "I am a Man of Constant Sorrow" in the Coen brothers' film "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" It's time that Tyminski got his due, sans Krauss or Clooney or anyone else, as a talented musician in his own right. I hope that this album is not his last solo effort.

"Carry Me Across the Mountain" opens with the title tune, on which Krauss sings splendid harmony. You can't beat the guitar, mandolin, and banjo work on this album, and it's especially fine on "Stuck in the Middle of Nowhere," "Greens Fees," and the album's final cut, "Sunny Side of the Mountain."

You can just hear good cheer and happiness coming out of Dan Tyminski's voice. This is a man who has a gift, knows he has a gift, and is delighted to use it. Not only does this album deserve your attention, it deserves repeated play.