Ian Tyson

Ian tyson "Old Cowboys never die,
they just crack and squeak
You'll see them walking everyday
down in Pincher Creek"
~Lloyd Dolen - cowboy poet~

With the majority of its population residing within 200 miles of the US/Canada border, coupled with its melting pot demographics, promoting, supporting, maintaining and enhancing a unique culture, artistically and musically has always been a challenge for Canada. Primary television images are beamed from the US, as are radio signals. Even the most internationally notable Canadian born entertainers calculate their self-worth in American currency.

'Americanization' is something Canadian artists and musicians wrestle with and debate about frequently. Very few 'Canadian' cultural icons are as respected internationally as they are at home, even fewer choose to wear their northern roots with pride.

Then there's Ian Tyson, his uniqueness born out of the commonality and earthiness of his image. A tall, handsome, rugged cowboy who works his own land. He's been a durable icon and a songwriting legend on Canada’s country music scene for decades. His music comes with ease and has weathered like fine tooled leather saddle.

Despite attempts by his father to discourage him, all Ian wanted to be while growing up was a cowboy. He immersed himself in the culture of the wild west as a child, and as a teenager began riding broncs in local rodeos. He spent 20 years on the amateur rodeo circuit as a bronc rider and calf roper. In 1956 an accident damaged his ankle and his rodeo career. In Calgary, while recovering from surgery to repair the ankle he learned how to play guitar, and along with finding a new home, a new career was begun, one that has lasted over five decades.

He carries his years in the music business well with a voice that’s only proven richer and more mellow over the years. He doesn’t write songs – he crafts them, and there's no need to separate the country from the western – both ride comfortably side by side. With his lyrics he paints the scenery and more often than not the setting is rural, southern Alberta. It's wide open spaces are dappled with colorful places that leave much to the imagination -- Medicine Hat, Head-Smashed-In-Buffalo-Jump, Pincher Creek, Writing On Stone...

His latest album, surprising his first live project, was recorded not too far from his ranch at East Longview Hall and with the backdrop of the rolling foothills of the Rocky Mountains its a perfect fit. This is where home is – no matter how far his music takes him on his travels, Alberta is never far out of his grasp.

There’s hardly a country singer left that's brave enough to record a live album right off the board with no overdubs, but then again Ian Tyson is no ordinary country singer. His live shows are somewhat of a stylistic rarity -- simple -- it’s all about the music and the stories….no fancy lights, billowing smoke or special effects. Just great songs, sung by a great singer. While someone else with as many years and hits under his belt would take full advantage be content to rest on their laurels, Tyson offers a balance of the familiar with a sampling of new from his ever growing repertoire.

His warmth and charisma comes from years of performing. He's relaxed and amiable, as his laid-back banter between songs builds on the relationships his songs make with the audience. He eases the listener in with the familiar comfort of a couple of his most instantly recognizable songs, Navajo Rug and Old Corrals and Sagebrush, and Someday Soon and then continues to sweeten the pot with a few well chosen gems from his previous albums, along with a handful of new songs. He adds a touch of jazzy cowboy swing with the longtime standard Blue Moon. Sorta Together is a relatively new composition that melds Ian's knack for ironic humor with a tinge of wistfulness. Little High Plains Town with its Willie Nelson resonance, explores the changing landscape of rural life. He laughingly refers to Jerry Ambler as "white-bread rap," but the song's cowboy narrative gives it away as another unique example of Tyson's poetic songwriting ability.

Ian Tyson's music doesn't leave you feeling like 'you wish you could have been there' because he takes you there himself with a front row seat. Live at Longview clearly makes the case -- Ian Tyson is easily one of the most proficient, longstanding lyricist in country and western music, Canada or otherwise, he's maintained his career with an admirable integrity and consistency others will only ever dream of.

www.iantyson.com

Laurie Joulie Take Country Back January 2003