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Ill Tide No More... Lund Reviewed

Here in London England when I heard dirty Lundy was Number One (#1) in the Country Charts in Canada and gracing the covers of National Music Magazines I wasn`t surprised but I was excited. I saw him at a Shephards Bush recently and I knew it would come I just didn`t realize how long it would take. How many years in the stinking Cube van? How many sets at The Generator or The Kathedral in Toronto? I can tell you that I was there for a small part of it.

October 14th 2005

Now that I`ve heard the album I think that it gets going along like a live show. Hair in My Eyes Like a Highland Steer is a strong opener. The riff livens you up but the yodelling makes it. There is a sense of humour in this album, what I think of as a natural Canadianess, polite with a hint of a comeuppance. A sense of I know 'that saska bush is pretty...pretty flat...' Also when Lund gives detailed instructions to Always keep an edge on your knife and not leave your hat on the bed, you get the idea that he is telling you for a reason.

Hurtin' Albertan is a song chock full of local Alberta Expressions. I thought it was Lundy talking to an alter ego but then I read the credits. Tim Hus. Interesting name. Bury this one in the rubarb? Hell no. Cranker.

My favourite song on the album is The Truth comes out. Living in London, far from my own Annapolis Valley, I miss the land and the space. But then I am reminded Cougars drag young colts into the bush sink claws in their noses. Grim. But very well-written. This gets me bad. Do you cry when people get shot in movies or when the animals get taken down? It`s the animals that always get me, not the people.

All I want to do is play cards is a song that is a marker. Does it mark the past freedom that Lund had as a member of semi-successful band and bemoan a the lack of personal time? The voice is authentic, filled with remorse and then resignation. I have a picture in my mind. People partying and Corby lying off in the grasses somewhere. Just to get a moment`s peace, just to steal away and share a private joke with a friend. Is this what has been sacrificed?

I`ve heard a friend say that Corby doesn`t write love songs and then the line from a song about a much loved horse from his previous album Five Dollar Bill came up. The part, from She Won't Come To Me goes, 'she`s pinning back her ears.' A friend said: Corb`s not talking about a Horse, he`s talking about Deb Dilworth, his girlfriend. Could be. Still that`s what makes the songs unique and exceptional. A good blend of social commentary and ambiguity. There is a song called The Evil in Me out there. That`s a freaker.

Finally The Truck Got Stuck rambling piece with Rambling Jack Elliot is strange but compelling. You don`t know where this man is going or what or why he is talking. But this is as outstanding a song as you will ever find. Elliot feels at home, though perhaps he`s not sure why. This is one of those pieces that works because it is a big honest experiment. There is an awkwardness about the song that is unique. Could this be the first time that Lund has collaborated? Well almost.

There is a mix of styles here, and the jazzy, bluesy band really gets a chance to cut loose on The Little Foothills Heaven.

Many people will talk about the Alberta references, which are many. But the truth lies deep in the lyrics here. Take this music in and savour it. Lund is talking about what we all know in a way that only he can. A Canadian original and a world class talent.

Goodbye Turkey... So Long! Okay that might be a Tim Hus line. Still Lundy, damned fine.

John Stiles

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***This is a brand new London, England-based Book and Music Review section.***

For more info