Tim O'Brien - The Crossing

Subject: Tim O'Brien - The Crossing
From: Ed Pellow
Date: 10 Sep 00 - 12:25 PM

A simple query:

Is Tim O'Brien's album/show "The Crossing" any good?

Ed

Subject: RE: Tim O'Brien - The Crossing
From: Sorcha
Date: 10 Sep 00 - 12:39 PM

If you like Tim O'Brien, which I never have. Friends who are fans say it's good.

Subject: RE: Tim O'Brien - The Crossing
From: Brendy
Date: 10 Sep 00 - 12:43 PM

Here's a bit about the man.

B.

Subject: RE: Tim O'Brien - The Crossing
From: richardw
Date: 10 Sep 00 - 04:07 PM

It's not good, it's great. Erin's Green Shore is a wonderful piece as are his duets with Katy Mattea.

IMHO

Richard Wright

Subject: RE: Tim O'Brien - The Crossing
From: Mike Regenstreif
Date: 10 Sep 00 - 07:13 PM

Here is my review from Sing Out! Magazine (Vol. 44, No. 1)

TIM O'BRIEN The Crossing Alula 1014

As a member of Hot Rize in the 1970s and '80s, Tim O'Brien has solid roots in bluegrass. Since then he's combined bluegrass, country and folk influences as a solo artist and in duo settings with his sister Mollie; and he's also become one of Nashville's most reliable songwriters. A couple of years ago, O'Brien pulled a terrific album of Bob Dylan reinterpretations out of left field and now, with The Crossing, O'Brien goes back to left field for his most ambitious project yet. Using both traditional and original material, O'Brien has crafted a concept album examining some of the history of 19th century Irish emigration to the United States, and some of the intersections of Irish and American folk music.

O'Brien turns in stunning versions of the traditional songs included here. I particularly like the interpretation "Wagoner's Lad," which uses accompaniment from both Irish (Dermot Byrne, Mairéad Ni Mhaonaigh, Ciarán Tourish) and American (Viktor Krauss, Darrell Scott) musicians and a lovely duet vocal from Kathy Mattea. In some traditional instrumental medleys, O'Brien also brings together Irish and American musicians for cuts that sound simultaneously familiar and new. For example, on "Lord MacDonald/Cumberland Gap," O'Brien's mandolin is complemented by Irish fiddler Frankie Gavan and bluegrass banjo pioneer Earl Scruggs.

And as much as I'm impressed with what O'Brien has done with the traditional material, I'm even more impressed by his songwriting -- solo and in collaboration -- for this project. Borrowing a title, "John Riley," from a traditional song, O'Brien and co-writer Guy Clark, have written a stunning song detailing the use of Irish emigrés as soldiers in a number of wars and of Mexico's recruitment of some of those soldiers. Another stunning song is "Lost Little Children," co-written with Robin and Linda Williams, which tells of the frequent tragedy of children being separated from their parents during the years of the Irish emigration to America.

Here's hoping that O'Brien keeps surprising us with his left-field projects.

--Mike Regenstreif

Subject: RE: Tim O'Brien - The Crossing
From: Midchuck
Date: 10 Sep 00 - 07:24 PM

I second everything Mike said. Except he should have specificly mentioned "A Mountaineer is Always Free," which is my favorite song on there. I love the treatments of "Wagoner's Lad" and "Willow Garden," but "Mountaineer" is my favorite new song.

Peter.

Subject: RE: Tim O'Brien - The Crossing
From: Wesley S
Date: 11 Sep 00 - 09:09 AM

I love this CD along with Tim O'Brien's music in general. My favorite is "John Riley". This one is on my CD player quite a bit.

Subject: RE: Tim O'Brien - The Crossing
From: Big Mick
Date: 20 Feb 01 - 09:10 PM

Great CD, and John Riley is a wonderful song about the San Patricio Brigade. You may or may not like his style, but the list of contributing artists on this one reads like a who's who. Wonderful CD.

Subject: RE: Tim O'Brien - The Crossing
From: John Hardly
Date: 20 Feb 01 - 09:33 PM

I agree with midchuck about "A Mountaineer...". Truly a superlative cd. As is O'Brien's practice, there are no throw-away cuts.

Subject: RE: Tim O'Brien - The Crossing
From: Big Mick
Date: 20 Feb 01 - 09:52 PM

I have searched for a long time for a song about the San Patricio's that I wanted to do. I have found it...........my arrangement will be different, but definitely influenced by its author.

A tip of the old Big Mick's cap to ye, O'Brien. Well done, lad.

Mick

Subject: RE: Tim O'Brien - The Crossing
From: Robo
Date: 21 Feb 01 - 12:50 AM

Tim's incredibly talented as a singer, songwriter and musician, and The Crossing CD and performance are just tremendous efforts. Saw him do the show in Denver and it took me off in a whole 'nother direction musically. Old time, bluegrass, can't see what there isn't to enjoy in any of his work that I've heard so far. Plus he's a West Virginia Irish boy (and I'm Irish and an honorary West Virginian!). Just coincidence, I guess.

Montani semper liberi!

Rob-o