Music of the West
By Hugh McLennan
December-January 2006
Hair in my Eyes Like a Highland Steer
Corb Lund.
 The Truck Got Stuck. If you haven’t heard this song in your pick up radio lately, maybe you’re not tuned in to the
right stations. Corb Lund has a genuine hit with this one, a suitable follow up to the success he had with Five Dollar Bill.
There’s a pile of powerful tracks here and the content is inspired by Corb’s ranching roots, but the style is unique. You can read a detailed account of the Lund families ranching background in Tyler Trafford’s fine story from Canadian Cowboy Country, August/Sept 2004 issue.
We’ve contemplated for years on the direction “Western Music” needs to go to reach a broader audience, without compromising the integrity of the content. I think Corb is blazing the trail in the right direction. These songs are honest, earthy and clearly cowboy. So much that some subtleties will probably go over the heads of the urban masses who will still love the CD for its sound.
The first track I seized on for a Spirit of the West show was Little Foothills Heaven, partly because it fit with the content of that particular program but mostly because it a great song of the Canadian West. A typical line; “There’s a Bar X on the rib of every critter you can see, their coats are slick and shiny in the sun just like you please.” There’s also a Bar X on Corb’s guitar, one of the family brands. A classy touch is including Ranger Doug Green and Too Slim, (Fred Labour) of the legendary Riders in the Sky to add background harmony on the song.
Another potential hit is Hurtin’ Albertan. You can bet the long haul truckers from the coast to the Lakehead will be buying this one and playing it over and over. Tim Hus, another guy who’s style personifies everything that’s rural-redneck-Alberta-blue collar, does the c.d. patter with the same kind of appeal C.W. McCall had with the original “Convoy,” but with a distinctive Western Canadian flavor.
Legends like Ian Tyson and Rambin’ Jack Elliot make an appearance, and there’s some edgy content but its great stuff. My favorite track? Always Keep an Edge on Your Knife.
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