CARRY ME ACROSS THE MOUNTAIN • Dan Tyminski

Hell, yeah. Smokin.

All over the country recently, audiences who had just seen O Brother, Where Art Thou were asking each other: Who was that, really singing "Man of Constant Sorrow"? Here's the guy. It's reasonable to say that his vocal on that song was the biggest reason that soundtrack sold over a million copies. The only bluegrass record to do that before it was Alison Krauss and Union Station, of which Dan is a member. This is the new bluegrass royalty. His is a voice so true and essential that it kills you, gives me goose bumps. On top of being the kind of high lonesome vocalist that makes you want to hoot and holler, he's a red hot and very tasty guitar picker. When he switches to mandolin for "Praise the Lord," Tony Rice jumps in on guitar for a memorably funky cameo. Tony's remarkable, the way he puts the blue in bluegrass, the way that Clarence White did.

The CD opens up with the title track, Dan singing lead, Alison on fiddle and tenor vocal. The chorus sent me runnin for the volume knob, can't get enough of that sound. All of Union Station is featured on the opener (except Larry Atamanuik, the drummer) along with their former mandolinist, Adam Steffey. Many distinguished guests appear, including his brother Stan, fiddlers Aubrey Haynie and Ron Stewart, Ronnie Bowman from LRB, and many others.

In bluegrass world, the name Tyminski resonates like an ancient Martin. He's been on the road since his teens, with Green Mountain Bluegrass and the Lonesome River Band. Dan started on banjo, moved to mandolin with LRB, and doubles on guitar and mandolin in his current band. He joined Union Station in the early 90s, and hit the bluegrass big time. He is a sought after session vocalist and producer, by bluegrass and mainstream country acts alike. At this year's IBMA's (the International Bluegrass Music Awards) in Louisville held this month, Dan was nominated for 11 awards, and took home four: Male Vocalist of the Year, Song of the Year, Album of the Year, and Instrumental Album of the Year.

Buy this great record, and find out more about this superb American artist at his website. But while you're here, check out a few clips on our Listen page.  • FG

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