Dan Tyminski Albums (2)
What The Critics Say
You can't accuse Dan Tyminski of trying to cash in on his fame. After his star turn as the singing voice of George Clooney in the Coen Brothers' O Brother, Where Art Thou? and collecting a couple of Grammys and CMA Awards, he didn't quit his longtime gig as guitarist with Union Station, he just kept doing what he's so good at, pickin' first-class bluegrass guitar and adding supporting harmonies to Alison Krauss' luminous vocals. He did cut a solid solo album amid all the hoopla, and this splendid follow-up is another solid example of contemporary bluegrass songcraft, with nine tunes by Tyminski, two by fellow Union Station member banjo player Ron Block, and one by Blue Highway's Tim Stafford. The title track kicks things off with a classic ramblin' song accented by the mournful fiddling of Justin Moses and Block's understated banjo. Tyminski's vocal is full of stark yearning. "Some Early Morning" is a murder ballad in the tradition of "Long Black Veil," the tragic tale of a man falsely accused of a crime he didn't commit. Tyminski's unaffected vocal makes the tale even more heart-wrenching, while the harmony vocals of Cheryl and Sharon White add an extra measure of poignancy. Tyminski also wrings every bit of emotion out of love affairs gone wrong. "Heads You Win Tails I Loose" is built around the wordplay of the title, a slow mournful ballad of frustrated love that sounds like a classic. Block's "It All Comes Down to You" is a wailing song of sorrow that places the blame on the departing lover, even as Tyminski's vocal seems to wallow in its own unfathomable pain. "Who Showed Who" is another murder ballad, this time the tale of a woman who snaps under the strain of an abusive marriage and kills her husband, leaving her children without a family. The set also includes an instrumental, "Knock Knock!," that gives Tyminski a chance to show off his not inconsiderable skills on the mandolin. It may have taken Dan Tyminski eight years to cut this album, but its 12 tracks of bluegrass heaven make it worth the wait. ~ j. poet, All Music Guide
'Carry Me Across the Mountain'
Release Date 6/27/2000
Tracks 11
Label Doobie Shea
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Just before his star exploded as a result of his amazing lead vocal on the hit version of "I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow" off the soundtrack to the Coen Brothers' Great Depression farce O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Dan Tyminski recorded his brief but fantastic debut solo album, Carry Me Across the Mountain, while on sabbatical from Union Station. He gets the expected help from Union Station alumni past and present (Alison Krauss, Adam Steffey, Ron Block, and Barry Bales), and also gathered together some of his other favorite players and influences, who just happen to be prominent members of the bluegrass elite (Jerry Douglas, Tony Rice, etc.). It is Tyminski's gorgeous, graceful, toasty lead vocals, though, that carry the day. As opposed to his full-time combo's more irreverent, progressive take on the genre, Tyminski explores more traditional bluegrass territory (ballads, mountain songs, spirituals, an instrumental), but through mostly original material, closer to his previous unit, the Lonesome River Band. He chimes in with a trio of his own co-written tunes while offering spotlight contributions from Block ("Be Assured") and former Union Station member Tim Stafford. And although each song is a highlight, the title track is perhaps the most exciting performance and lays the blueprint for Tyminski's O Brother contribution. The crack band also whips through a couple old country ("I Dreamed of an Old Love Affair," "Sunny Side of the Mountain") and bluegrass (the Louvin Brothers' "Tiny Broken Heart") classics with exhilarating, down-homey results. The mood is both elegantly unembellished and joyous, a throwback but wholly pristine and fresh. It is a superb addition to the already strong discographies of both Union Station and the Lonesome River Band, and a lovely little first effort as leader for Tyminski. ~ Stanton Swihart, All Music Guide
