Tim O'Brien & Mollie Away Out on the Mountain Genres:Country, Folk, Pop, Rock Tim O'Brien, the former leader of Hot Rize, grew up singing harmonies with his sister Mollie at Catholic folk masses in Wheeling, West Virginia. The two redheads are still blending voices, and their third album together, A... more »way out on the Mountain, recalls the special sibling chemistry of Kate & Anna McGarrigle's best recordings. The O'Briens sing beautifully--with Tim's twangy tenor putting the twist into Mollie's pure, full-bodied soprano--but just as important is their ability to pick great songs and arrange them imaginatively. Neither O'Brien wrote any of the 14 songs on this album, but their choices betray a commitment to the strain of rural American music that runs through the folk, blues, bluegrass, country, and pop genres, marked by an unassuming stoicism in bad times and a wry humor in good. --Geoffrey Himes« less
Tim O'Brien, the former leader of Hot Rize, grew up singing harmonies with his sister Mollie at Catholic folk masses in Wheeling, West Virginia. The two redheads are still blending voices, and their third album together, Away out on the Mountain, recalls the special sibling chemistry of Kate & Anna McGarrigle's best recordings. The O'Briens sing beautifully--with Tim's twangy tenor putting the twist into Mollie's pure, full-bodied soprano--but just as important is their ability to pick great songs and arrange them imaginatively. Neither O'Brien wrote any of the 14 songs on this album, but their choices betray a commitment to the strain of rural American music that runs through the folk, blues, bluegrass, country, and pop genres, marked by an unassuming stoicism in bad times and a wry humor in good. --Geoffrey Himes
John C. Graham | toronto, ontario Canada | 07/16/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"After hearing the first song I was hooked....I can't remember the last time that music had affected me this way. There is something irresistable and compelling about it. The title tune drifts through my mind at all times of the day; my toddler dances and claps her hands to it. I suspect there are many Tim O'brien fans out there who know what I mean. For those who have never heard him (or his sister)this is a great place to start......and then you can write your own 5 star review!"
A Wonderful Collection of Songs
Steve Vrana | Aurora, NE | 04/01/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Tim O'Brien is a founding member of Hot Rize, a gifted songwriter, and an accomplished multi-instrumentalist. On this 1994 release he combines forces with his oldest sister for a stunning tour de force of old timey country/folk/gospel/bluegrass music that will raise your spirits and soothe your soul. Tim and Mollie's voices blend beautifully, and the sparse instrumentation throughout keeps the emphasis squarely on their vocal harmonies.
The songs are a mix of the old and new. Among the former, they perform a toe-tapping version of Leadbelly's "When I Was a Cowboy" and a lovely version of A.P. Carter's "Home By the Sea" with the accordian adding a mournful tone to the proceedings. Among the newer tunes are two from a then unknown Gillian Welch: the bouncy nastolgic "Wichita" and the melancholic "Orphan Girl," which Welch would later record on her 1996 debut. They also cover Lucinda Williams' sorrowful "Price To Pay."
In the liner notes, they state: "What ties it all together are great musicians, great songwriters, and our own philosophy of life, 'It ain't what you do, it's the way that you do it.'" And they do it beautifully. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
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I just keep comin' back...
Patrick | Oak Park, IL United States | 03/05/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a CD I just keep comin' back to, year after year. I listened again after seeing Tim in concert here last weekend as I did after seeing Mollie solo last year; separately, they're very good--together they're superb. The music on this recording is wonderful in all regards, their energy is great, the engineering is excellent. One of my top 25 recordings..."
FOLK MUSIC AFFICIONADO FROM SEATTLE
Janet Parrett | Seattle, WA USA | 06/05/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I found this album trying to find someone who did Wichita written by Gillian Welch. I found Tim and Mollie O'brien and I am impressed with their harmonies and the beautiful way they deliver their songs about everyday people. I play it over and over because it just makes me feel good."