dan
tyler i hope (Intuit
Music 2003)
Dan Tyler first made the charts in 1978 when Eddie Rabbitt recorded
his "Hearts On Fire". He's been a regular ever since with hits like
"Modern Day Romance"[Nitty Gritty Dirt Band], "Somebody's Doin Me
Right"[Keith Whitley], and "The Light In Your Eyes"[Leann Rimes].
Eddy Arnold, Bobby Blue Bland, the Cox Family, and Kenny Rogers
have also recorded his tunes. This time however it's Dan Tyler showcasing
Dan Tyler. The CD title, I Hope, is from some lines by Emily Dickinson:
Hope is the thing
with feathers
That perches in the soul
and sings the tune
The surprise is that on his own, Dan Tyler turns out to have the
heart of an old folkie. He writes about things that matter, even
puts his conscience out there for the record but without the preachy
tone. Like the best social commentary it slips in under your radar
while you're busy appreciating the art. Steve Goodman immediately
comes to mind on the bouncy opening cut "Costa Rica". And from there
on out it's a master class in songwriting. The stick-in-your-head
lyric and jukebox friendly arrangement of "Even The Bad Times Are
Good" is contrasted by "I Am The River" which makes the most of
a Celtic musical sensibility and a Native American nature perspective.
Then there's the rousing, rocking gospel energy of "Jesus Come Back",
the biting, bluesy political rant of "Watch What Their Saying" and
the stark, simple intimacy of "Sweetheart". By the time he gets
around to his version of. "The Light In Your Eyes" you're struck
again at how the best writers know not to smother a song with production
values but let it breathe. These are songs with the feel and lift
of a different time and different take on things-still concerned
but more hopeful than is fashionable today. Everyone who sits down
to write with a guitar should go to school on this CD. So if you're
flat out a fan of great songwriting and you're taste leans towards
Nick Jones, Dan Bern, or Kieran Kane, add Dan Tyler to the mix.
james mcsweeney
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