The Crossing

Tim O'Brien | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 11, 2011)
• Original Release Date: May 4, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Alula Records
• ASIN: B00000IXIA
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #28,927 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #34 in Music > Indie Music > World Music > Europe
  • #45 in Music > Indie Music > Country > Bluegrass
  • #60 in Music > Folk > British & Celtic Folk > British Folk

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The artist himself calls this project "the inevitable next step for a bluegrass singer-songwriter in his mid-40s named O'Brien," but in this description O'Brien sells himself short. It's only the "inevitable next step" for a musician who is passionate about his craft and his culture, conscientious about his music's deep roots, diligent in their exploration, and bold enough to celebrate them. O'Brien organizes a sort of family reunion that brings together Irish folk, its Appalachian old-time son, and its bluegrass grandson. Like with any family, all of these musical generations enjoy many shared traits and these similarities are brilliantly accented across 16 diverse yet related songs. O'Brien taps a number of resources, ranging from traditional Irish musicians like fiddler Frankie Gavin and wind player Seamus Egan to bluegrass stalwarts like Earl Scruggs, Del McCoury, Stuart Duncan, and Jerry Douglas to modern old-time enthusiasts such as David Grier and Dirk Powell to new-acoustic pickers like Darol Anger, Edgar Meyer, and Mike Marshall. O'Brien even enlists Guy Clark as lyricist for "John Riley" and unveils a marvelous original talking blues ("Talkin' Cavan") done in Dylanesque style. The result is an album that is both ambitious and comfortably traditional. --Marc Greilsamer

Product Description

The Crossing by Tim O'Brien

This product is manufactured on demand using CD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brave New World uncovered by the Crossing ..., October 30, 2000

By 

Ian Clarke (northern ireland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Crossing (Audio CD)

As a fan of both celtic traditional and bluegrass music I was wary of a CD claiming to be a hybrid - too often it means an unsatisfactory compromise where original flavours become watered down and insipid. I need not have worried - Tim O'Brien has produced one of the most amazing and rewarding musical journeys I've followed for some time. Not only do the players from the two traditions blend instinctively and harmoniously but the tracks , mostly songs, are marvellous vehicles for new and exciting directions. There are superb performances all round, vocally from O'Brien with guests Paul Brady, Maura O'Connell, Kathhy Mattea, Del McCoury etc and musicians Altan, Frankie Gavin, Jerry Douglas, Earl Scruggs, Seamus Egan and a host of others and the sound is fresh, acoustic and vital, requiring no production gimmicks or effects. Standout songs for me personally are "Mountaineer is Always Free", "Lost Little Children", "Wandering" and "John Riley" although there is not a weak track on the CD. It is obvious that for Tim O'Brien this has been a labour of love. If you like acoustic music, from any tradition, either side of the Atlantic, you'll love it. Several of my friends have bought it on my recommendation and agree it is brilliant.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bluegrass Music Meets Its Celtic Roots, October 13, 2001

By 

Steve Vrana (Aurora, NE) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Crossing (Audio CD)

I first encountered Tim O'Brien twenty years ago as the vocalist/fiddle player in the bluegrass band Hot Rize. On this solo outing (which he dedicates to Hot Rize guitarist Charles Sawtelle), O'Brien takes us on a musical journey to his Celtic roots with a wonderful collection of both original and traditional songs.

The album opens with the traditional "Ireland's Green Shore" and is followed by "A Mountaineer Is Always Free," an O'Brien original who lifted the title from the West Virginia state motto. The title track is a rip-roaring original fiddle tune. "Wagoner's Lad" is a lovely duet with Kathy Mattea. One of my favorite tracks is "Talkin Cavan" which features O'Brien on guitar doing a terrific take on Bob Dylan as he tells of his 1998 trip to Ireland to find the old O'Brien farm cottage in County Cavan. Each tune is proof of the musical connection between Irish and American folk music. And with guest musicians like Stuart Duncan (fiddle), Seamus Egan (whistles, bodhran), Todd Phillips (bass) and Jerry Douglas (Hawaiian guitar), the music is nothing short of spectacular. Earl Scruggs even shows up on the instrumental medley "Lord McDonald/Cumberland Gap."

If you like Tim O'Brien, Celtic music, bluegrass, folk or any combination of the above, you'll find much to cherish on this album. Total running time: 63:10 HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Crossing-A very enjoyable and important album, May 10, 2000

By 

Barry Bowman (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Crossing (Audio CD)

Being a celtic fan, not bluegrass, I was unfamiliar with Tim's work. I was pleasantly suprised by his talent as a writer/singer and musician. I have a huge collection of celtic music and this has gone to the top of my frequent play list. If you are at all interested in celtic/fusion, this is for you. I am also interested in the celtic roots of american and appalachian music. This album perfectly traces those roots. An added plus: the musicians (both Irish and American) are top notch. Don't be afraid to take a chance on this record. It is terrific.