[FM] review of Ian Tyson's CD "Live at Longview"

Sun, 30 Jun 2002 00:25:50 -0700

Below is Dai Woosnam's review of Ian Tyson's CD "Live at Longview".

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http://www.surfnetusa.com/celtic-folk/fr-IanTyson.htm

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                             A Review of the CD
                             "Live at Longview"
                                by Ian Tyson
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"Live at Longview"
by Ian Tyson

Copyright: 2002 Stony Plain Records SPCD 1282

http://www.stonyplainrecords.com
mailto:info@stonyplainrecords.com

This review is written by Dai Woosnam, daigress@hotmail.com, 6/02

Here in England where I live, Ian Tyson has never been big.  Come to
think of it, no Canadian solo artiste has made any real impact since the
days of Gordon Lightfoot and Leonard Cohen.

But Ian Tyson has always been a respected name here. Some like me are old
enough to remember his impact on the scene back in the Sixties with his
partner Sylvia. However many of us Brits have a somewhat hazy idea as to
what Tyson has been up to in the past decade or so.

And it seems like he has been thriving. He moved to a ranch near the
eastern slopes of the Canadian Rockies in Alberta, lived the cowboy life,
and still found time to produce several acclaimed albums.

It seems that this is an album that incorporates some of the most important
songs from the past 20 years, and intersperses some new material. And it
was recorded live over four consecutive nights at the Longview Community
Hall. Now, does it cut the mustard for me?

Yes, I think it does. But that said, it is not what I expected it to be.

First of all, is it Folk or is it Country? (Yes, I know a futile
distinction, for in the end, arent all labels only really for jam jars?)
Yes, I guess so. But label things we in the end MUST, if only to
communicate. However, that said, we must always be cognisant of the
inherent flaws in the whole process of labelling.

The best definition of Country I ever heard was music for Americans with
dirt under their fingernails. But that was YEARS ago. It does not apply
any more. Now it is the BLAND leading the BLAND. The Garth Brooks of this
world do not have dirt under their SHOES, let alone their fingernails!

But there is an authenticity to this album that makes me pine for the days
before Tin Pan Alley took the soul of Nashville. There is dirt under
Tysons fingernails alright. And at 68 years old there is no dimming of the
big macho voice: indeed he seems in better voice than ever. Hes backed by
a classy acoustic trio hes been working with for several years, and is
further joined by a couple of Tyson alumni on selected tracks.

The live recording is of studio quality: as clean as a whistle. The overall
impression is one of a relaxed evening amongst friends. For Tyson fans,
this album is a must.

For folks like me, I have to say that whilst enjoying the album hugely, I
found the inclusion of one song slightly problematical. That song is
Someday Soon, his most-covered song that proved a monster hit for Tanya
Tucker, and has also proved a big seller for Judy Collins and others. It is
one of the great songs of my lifetime.

Great song? So whats the problem?

Well, its very GREATNESS invariably makes some of the other songs seem like
vin de table to its own Premier Cru. And probably, even without its
inclusion, some of Tysons songs here would not have made the listener
really sit up and take notice.

But by gosh, his voice is true; the band is clearly on top form, and the
album exudes bonhomie.

And most of all I am indebted to his cut Jerry Ambler, where he
introduces me to the words of cowboy poet Paul Zarzyski. They include this
gem of a line: If tombstones were neon what word would they flash?

I dont think that driving past my local cemetery will ever be the same
again.

Dai Woosnam
daigress@hotmail.com

Track List:

   * Navajo Rug  3.22
   * Old Corrals and Sagebrush  3.29
   * Desert Motel (Ian Tyson/Blain McIntyre)  4.09
   * I Outgrew the Wagon  5.49
   * Jerry Ambler (Ian Tyson/Paul Zarzyski) 4.48
   * Sorta Together (Ian Tyson/Tom Russell)  3.54
   * Fifty Years Ago  4.28
   * Someday Soon  5.01
   * Smugglers Cove  4.38
   * Casey Tibbs  3.31
   * Blue Moon  3.23
   * Somewhere in the Rubies  3.51
   * M.C.Horses  4.30
   * Horsethief Moon  3.12
   * Little High Plains Town  5.12
   * Bob Fudge  5.04
   * Magpie  4.44

All songs (unless shown) Ian Tyson.

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Dai Woosnam. Ownership, copyright and title are not transferable or
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information about using, quoting, or reprinting this CD review.

================================================
Kevin McCarthy
mailto:celtic-folk@surfnetusa.com
Celtic & Folk Music CD Reviews
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