Album Review – Corb Lund’s “El Viejo”

Spanish is the native language of the people south of the United States border, not north of it in Alberta, Canada, where the legendary cowboy and singer/songwriter Corb Lund hails from. But “El Viejo” also happened to be the nickname for another Canadian legend and Corb Lund’s mentor, the great Western singer Ian Tyson, who passed away in 2022. Loosely translated as “the old one” or even “father,” Lund’s new long player El Viejo is dedicated to the late Mr. Tyson.
With Lund’s last album Songs My Friends Wrote from 2022 and now this one, you get the sense that Corb is setting into the middle portions of his career, and not trying to chase the next hit record or big singles anymore. He never was a hit machine in the conventional sense, but in the alt-country scene and during his heyday, Corb put a hell of a lot of skins on the wall. Now he seems content making music for himself and doing it his way as opposed to the hustle and grind.
In the case of El Viejo, this means setting up a bunch of mics in the living room of his Lethbridge, Alberta home, inviting over his long time Hurtin’ Albertains band, and recording songs acoustic style, often in one take. In fact, there isn’t an electrified instrument to be had on this new album, and the services of an outside producer were not solicited.
A loose theme that emerges from the album is gambling, from the opening song “The Cardplayers” about being unjustly accosted by a pit boss for cheating, to “When The Game Gets Hot” about how to cheat without getting caught, to some of the passages of “El Viejo (For Ian)” lamenting the expiration of blackjack tables at so many of the Nevada casinos where Corb and Ian Tyson used to hang together.

But the more unspoken theme is Corb Lund pondering his own age after the passing of an old friend. “Out On a Win” recounts the life of a mixed martial artist who’s done it all and may still have a puncher’s chance in the octagon, but is admittedly past his prime and looking for one last victory to go out on. “I Had It All” is about winning big, but then frittering it way carelessly. Perhaps both of these morals are ones Corb can relate to in his own way.
Per usual, Corb Lund delivers his songs with sly bits of humor interwoven with his cowboy poetry, along with a dash of real world drama. “Old Familiar Drunken Feeling” about a diabolical trip to a legal dispensary is a hoot. Lund songs are always delivered with self-awareness, and often, surprising worldliness. It’s rare that you hear Western singers evoke Arabic terms such as “Insha’Allah,” which translates to “God willing.”
And despite the stripped down and acoustic nature of these recordings, the tracks all feel full and fulfilling, even if they may not convey the same energy as other Corb Lund material by somewhat defanging guitartist Grant Siemens and the other Hurtain’ Albertains. But perhaps El Viejo has an intimacy other Corb Lund albums don’t.
When it was Ian Tyson’s heyday, Corb was the scrappy young opener and up-and-comer, learning the tricks of the trade from the oldtimers, including guitarist David Baxter who Corb seems to also reference in the “El Viejo” song, or perhaps it’s cowboy poet Baxter Black. Now Corb is the de facto oldtimer. He’s currently gearing up to take the band 49 Winchester out for their first Canadian tour in March where he’ll be introducing them to audiences who’ve been enjoying Corb’s music for now going on 30 years, believe it or not.
El Viejo doesn’t just add to Corb Lund’s musical legacy. In many ways, it closes a circle and begins a new era. He may not be “viejo” himself, but they grey hairs are moving in, and he’s now the one many country and Western singers look up to. El Viejo embraces this new season, and new role in Corb Lund’s legacy.
1 3/4 Guns Up (8/10)
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Purchase from Corb Lund
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February 23, 2024 @ 9:29 am
I believe the Baxter in El Viejo is Baxter Black
February 23, 2024 @ 9:32 am
But I could definitely be wrong
February 23, 2024 @ 9:35 am
You could also be right. I honestly don’t know, and spent too much time trying to figure out who the “Baxter” he references was.
February 28, 2024 @ 2:13 pm
You are absolutely correct
February 23, 2024 @ 10:52 am
That was my thought on first listen, but I don’t know much myself.
February 23, 2024 @ 3:19 pm
That was also my initial thought while not knowing much. Who is don?
February 23, 2024 @ 3:42 pm
Don Edwards I believe!
February 28, 2024 @ 2:14 pm
Don is Don Edwards the famous cowboy singer who passed.
February 27, 2024 @ 6:28 am
RIP Baxter Black. Miss his columns
February 23, 2024 @ 9:36 am
I thought “El Viejo” translated into English is “The Vagina”.
February 23, 2024 @ 9:46 am
If it was a feminine body part, it would be “La Vieja.”
But you’re still wrong.
February 24, 2024 @ 8:06 am
I have no idea what Juan is talking, but this isn’t quite true either. “Senos,” for example, is masculine
February 26, 2024 @ 8:14 am
yeah same in italian.
February 28, 2024 @ 2:20 pm
Yeah, the female part comment pissed me off. Corb doesn’t deserve that and neither does THE LEGENDARY IAN TYSON
February 23, 2024 @ 10:05 am
Damn good album by a damn good artist. Love Corb Lund
February 23, 2024 @ 10:11 am
Was Fort Worth Worth It, is a really good song.
February 23, 2024 @ 10:17 am
In the song El Viejo he specially references Stockmen’s, a 120 year old hotel and Casino in Elko Nevada. He and Ian would play every year at the National Cowboy Poetry gathering in Elko and Corb and Ian would often be seen there playing cards till the wee hours.
February 23, 2024 @ 5:37 pm
Also mentions the outside circle, which is an upstart alternative event that sprung up because the cowboy poetry gathering has gotten expensive and large. They do some really phenomenal stuff.
February 28, 2024 @ 2:42 pm
And don’t forget the reference to The Star Bar.
February 23, 2024 @ 10:24 am
Thanks for this review. Looking forward to obtaining this one…
February 23, 2024 @ 10:59 am
Corb’s career surely would have looked different if he had come along in last five years. I believe he is every bit or more talented than many of the most popular artists going today.
This record is for us long-time fans. He won’t be winning many new ones with these songs, as much as I like them.
February 23, 2024 @ 3:44 pm
I am with ya man! One of my favorites for sure. Started just before the independent scene really took off.
February 24, 2024 @ 7:03 am
Respectfully, not sure the timing makes a difference when compared to the ambitions of how he’s wired. Corb doesn’t move to be professionally like the Troubadors or Childers or blow up like a huge star. He seems totally content playing bars and small venues, doing things his way 100% of the time that those others probably can’t do and “feed the beast” of what’s putting them on the level they’re on.
Even if the opportunity to be more popular was presented and by all regards, I feel like Lund surely would have those avenues open, he wouldn’t be interested in taking it. Just look at this record. Corb is morphing into something of the modern day Tyson (wayward Western truly independent artist), not trying to blow up to be an independent darling that’s selling out Red Rocks or something. (And not that there is anything wrong with that latter path).
February 23, 2024 @ 11:07 am
Nice review. Love Corb Lund: always great lyrics and great delivery. Looking forward to this!
February 23, 2024 @ 11:59 am
Corb has been remarkably consistent in putting out great records and this one is no different. Fantastic stuff.
February 23, 2024 @ 12:44 pm
Saw Corb perform in Nashville this week and also at the Ramblin’ Jack fund-raiser in San Francisco last month. Good dude, great singer, greater songwriter. More card-game and gambling songs!
February 23, 2024 @ 1:21 pm
This sounds great.
I waa starting to think I’d grown old and negative for not liking much that trig has reviewed recently but this is real good music.
I remember him from when he released ‘Five Dollar Bill’, he used to come to Australia often. Always a great party, he had a big following with the farming kids.
February 23, 2024 @ 5:02 pm
: D Have you heard Corb’s, Truck Got Stuck?
Really clever & silly.
Makes me smile – Thinking, yep – boys will be boys.
And, loving every minute of it
February 23, 2024 @ 4:56 pm
To me this is definitely Corb’s best album since “Cabin Fever”, loved the acoustic arrangements!
February 23, 2024 @ 9:44 pm
Can’t get over how good of a song “Out On A Win” is. I connect with that song so much, yet have never seen the inside of a boxing ring (and never will). There’s something to be said for writing a song so specific to someone’s experience, in a genre that has probably never tackled such a thing, and write it well enough that the message carries over to people that are not in that world at all.
February 24, 2024 @ 5:15 am
Minor chords and Corb – YES. I think I like all of the Corb stuff that he thinks people will not like as much. The unreleased stuff here kills the released stuff.
He defanged Grant years ago and I think Grant is ok with it. He is my favorite country picker and part of that is like Eddie Shaver he helps curate the sound when needed and then pulls off wicked licks when the time is right.
This album won’t be for the masses. I imagine a few more fans will be made with the drinking song and such, but this one really sits nicely for long time fans.
Great work reviewing this over anything else you could have today Trig!
February 24, 2024 @ 5:23 am
Also the line “Nobody hittin’ seventeen playin’ against the dealer” from El Viejo, is that a reference to Ian Tyson’s song Summer Wages?
February 24, 2024 @ 9:49 am
Has to be.
My favourite Tyson song. Reading this review I was hoping he might have covered it.
Steve Earle plays it in concert sometimes, especially in Canada.
February 24, 2024 @ 6:56 am
Nice review. Love that Corb is willing to experiment and make exactly the type of music that he wants to make at this time. Album and the Ian song is a fittingly great tribute to the old man.
February 24, 2024 @ 11:58 am
Really like the title track as I am a big fan of Corb and Ian both. Saw Corb in concert last November for the first time, one of the best shows I have ever been too. Eventually I will have to pick this album up. Still need to buy Cabin Fever, which remains my favorite of his.
February 24, 2024 @ 3:07 pm
Funny thing with ‘Inshallah’, according to everyone who has told me about doing business in an Arab country, Inshallah means “God willing/if you’re lucky/probably wont happen”. For instance “yes, yes, your car will be fixed tomorrow, inshallah”
“Inshallah the bus will get get you where you are going”
February 26, 2024 @ 9:08 pm
I don’t have too much to add besides Corb makes some of the most enjoyable, easy to listen to, clever music I have ever heard.
He played a tiny tiny club right by my house and I was busy and said I’ll catch him next time. Just go to the show.
February 27, 2024 @ 3:47 pm
The late Ian Tyson was a true Canadian cowboy legend,and it’s great that Cob is back and paying homage to his mentor,plus it’s always great to have Corb making excellent music.
February 28, 2024 @ 10:40 pm
This is what the Dave Cobb record should’ve been. Definitely like it more than the cover record from last year and maybe Agricultural Tragic. The laid back acoustic vibe really suits Corb.
March 1, 2024 @ 2:59 pm
Corb is the most underrated singer/songwriter and entertainer in the music business. I went to George stait concert once and it was the most boring concert I ever went too. Corb way better entertainer than that bro country pop crap they keep spitting out
March 5, 2024 @ 7:25 am
Make sure you watch Corb’s movie debut. I think it is his debut. Guitar Lessons. Corb is very talented. I hope he does another movie someday. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhBYtF_cw-U
April 25, 2024 @ 12:42 pm
This is my album of the year so far. Agree with multiple others that it’s my favorite of his since at least Cabin Fever. He finds a way to bring in sonic elements of his most early stuff while still putting just enough polish on things. A masterpiece!