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Northern California Bluegrass Society provides this CD review. You can find our most current reviews on our Message Board, where you can comment or query the author directly. Our monthly magazine, Bluegrass By the Bay also publishes them. Return to CD Reviews. |
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| Dan Tyminski | Carry Me Across the Mountain |
| Review by Keith Rollag | |
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CD-2002 Personnel: |
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Former Lonesome River Band and current Union Station member Dan Tyminski has gathered many of the current heavy-hitters in contemporary bluegrass to produce a truly top-notch solo album. Mix good song selection, masterful Doobie Shea recording production (Dan's a co-owner), and a bevy of gifted vocalists and musicians and it's hard not score a winner. If you're into new bluegrass groups like LRB and AKUS, you'll like this album too. The CD is a collection of mostly newer songs with a couple classic bluegrass songs thrown in for good measure, all done in a pretty straightforward contemporary style. The title track "Carry Me Across the Mountain" is a sad, medium-tempo song about a mother's ultimate sacrifice for her child. "I Dreamed of an Old Love Affair" is a traditional song done in brother-duet fashion, as is the bouncy gospel tune "Praise the Lord" (backed by Tony Rice on guitar). Many of the songs could have seamlessly appeared on a Lonesome River Band, Alison Krauss, or Blue Highway album, since they were penned, performed or produced by the same people. "Think About You Every Day" is a Tim Stafford tune that Allison might have chosen for her next album. "Tiny Broken Heart" is a bouncy tune about a little boy whose sweetheart is moving away, and could easily be another Union Station or Lonesome River Band number too. Like most contemporary albums, there are usually a few slower, country-ish ballads, and this CD is no exception. "Please Dear Mommy" is a sad tune about a child's view of impending parental divorce, and "Faith is a Mystery" is another gospel tune in an Americana-type arrangement. Rounding out the CD in a more traditional bent is the Salt Creek/Big Mon-sounding instrumental "Greens Fees" and the classic "Sunny Side of the Mountain." By inviting pickers like Aubrey Haynie, Adam Steffey, and Tony Rice to perform on the album it's hard to make a bad one. With meticulous care Dan Tyminski put together a stellar ensemble and chose his songs wisely -and it shows. Nice job! |
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