Ronan Tynan,
All Kinds of Everything
(independent, 2010)


A neighbor knocked on my door recently and handed me a package that had been delivered to his house by mistake. When I opened the package and saw it was Ronan Tynan's newest CD, I momentarily had mixed reactions: I'm always thrilled to listen to Ronan's music, but I was also afraid I couldn't do him justice. I thought I used just about every adjective and superlative in previous reviews of the man I consider the greatest tenor in the world.

Of course, there was no question I would review it and I was instantly glad I did. All Kinds of Everything is unquestionably Ronan's best -- and that's saying something. There's something about Ronan's voice that is at once soothing, inspirational and just purely enjoyable. Just listening to him evokes images of Ireland, cathedrals and a real zest for life.

All Kinds of Everything is "a compilation of great moments that have taken place in my life," Ronan explains in the brief liner notes. For example, Ronan received permission from the Reagan Library to include the actual recordings of "Ave Maria" and "Amazing Grace," which Ronan sang at President Ronald Reagan's funeral.

"Tourna Sorriento" ("Come Back to Sorrento") is a song that has real meaning for Ronan. This track is the cut from Go for It -- a 1994 competition on RTE TV in Ireland -- which Ronan won. His voice on this 16-year-old recording sounds like a classical Italian opera singer. Bella voce! Also included is "This is the Hour," which Ronan wrote for the 2003 Special Olympics in Ireland.

Having reviewed several of Ronan's CDs, interviewed him and attended one of his concerts, I guess I am somewhat familiar with his work. But a pleasant surprise on the recording is "A Mother's Plea," which Ronan wrote in 2009 for one of his favorite charities -- Smile Train -- the world's leading cleft palate charity, which has helped in more than 500,000 life-transforming operations. This is a very moving song and is made even more beautiful by the harmonious voices of a children's choral group. I keep playing it over and over; this track alone is worth the price of the CD.

As you can tell by my surname, I am not Irish and the song "Danny Boy" fails to bring tears to my eyes, but Ronan's duet with Maev Ni Mhaolchatha, a former vocalist with Celtic Woman, is definitely one of the finest renditions I've ever heard. It was recorded during a St. Patrick's Day appearance earlier this year in Buffalo, N.Y.

Another duet on the CD is "It'll Be Me," which Ronan recorded with Andy Cooney, a singer known mainly in the New York/New England area. Cooney was christened as "Irish America's Favorite Son" by the New York Times.

On All Kinds of Everything, Ronan is true to his Irish roots. Favorites included on the CD are "Carrickfergus," "Mountains of Mourne," "The Sally Gardens" and "The Parting Glass." A deeply religious man, Ronan also sings an inspirational version of "I'll Walk with God."

All Kinds of Everything is an enjoyable insight into the personality of a fascinating man who has overcome many obstacles and has achieved so much. It is available on Ronan's website.

[ visit the artist's website ]




Rambles.NET
music review by
Bill Knapp


21 August 2010


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