The Gift: A Tribute to the Music of Ian Tyson
Centrepointe Theatre
Tuesday, May 3, 2005
at 8:00PM
Considering the impact Ian Tyson has had on the Canadian musical landscape over the past five decades, it was only a matter of time until a cast of appreciative musicians banded together to pay tribute to the legendary singer-songwriter. Who better than a group of Alberta musicians who have been influenced by the man and admire his breathtaking output of work—a work that crosses the folk, honky-tonk, country-rock and cowboy culture genres? Led by musical director and performer Stewart MacDougall, who himself has written and toured with Tyson, the cast of The Gift puts their own spin on Tyson classics and a few of his more obscure pieces. Celtic, jazz, and blues arrangements of Tyson tunes go hand in hand with readings that draw much of their inspiration from original treatments. The cast includes members of The McDades, steel guitar ace Jeff Bradshaw who played with Tyson during the Old Corals and Sagebrush days, Old Reliable's Shuyler Jansen, and the Canadian Country Music Association's Independent Artist of the Year, Corb Lund. This marks the first time The Gift has been performed outside Alberta. A recording project featuring over ten acts is in the works.
Corb Lund Band
Since forming in 1994, the Corb Lund Band has developed into a blazing roots-country band. Their highly acclaimed CD, Five Dollar Bill, was nominated for four Canadian music industry awards, including a Juno for Best Roots and Traditional album. Descended from four generations of Alberta ranchers and cowboys, Corb Lund writes songs that are peppered with imagery of bronco riding, cattle ranching, card playing and bootlegging whiskey. An evening of Corb Lund’s music will have you hankering for the wide open skies of the great outdoors.
Shuyler Jansen
For the past ten years Shuyler Jansen has been co-leading Edmonton’s Old Reliable (www.oldreliableband.com). In November 2004 Shuyler Jansen’s first solo endeavour, Hobotron was released. The Hobotron is a genre breaking departure from Old Reliable’s 70’s country-rock sound, with it’s epic/electronic backdrop and traditional forefront, it’s Shuyler executing the sound in his mind.
Shuyler Jansen began playing and recording professionally at the age of sixteen. In late 1994, under the influence of Neil Young and Crazy Horse and Bob Dylan and the Band, Shuyler formed Old Reliable and began building a fan base that has spread far and wide. Old Reliable’s last release Pulse of Light Dark Landscape was written entirely by Shuyler Jansen and featured the renowned photography of Elliott Landy.
In 2003 Shuyler Jansen borrowed an ancient tape machine and began building the soundscapes that would eventually become The Hobotron, after years of collecting primitive synthesizers and effects units Shuyler conceived of a recording that mingled country/folk songs with an ambient/electronic backdrop. With the help of Scott Franchuk, Shuyler began adding live musicians onto the pre-existing soundtrack and eventually recorded an entire album backwards. The Hobotron features Oh Susanna on background vocals and also features Lane Arndt and Gravy.
Shuyler just completed 40 shows in Canada and will be appearing at Folk Alliance in Montreal and SXSW in Austin. Shuyler will also be a part of a traveling tribute to Canadian song writing legend Ian Tyson that will tour to Alberta Scene in Ottawa 2005.
Stewart MacDougall
For almost twenty-five years, Stewart MacDougall has been one of Alberta’s busiest and most diverse musicians and songwriters. Before pursuing a solo career in 1997, he was best known for his work with Laura Vinson, k.d. lang, Ian Tyson, and the Great Western Orchestra. His songs have been recorded by all these artists and a number of others including Randy Travis. His discography includes three solo albums—Gathering Time, heresay, and Ghost Trains.
Presented by Edmonton Festival City
Corb Lund is a winner of CBC's Galaxie Rising Star Award
