It's another world, the West. It's not the city, it's not the Internet, it's not your office, your house, or your new clothes. It's hard weather, horses, cattle, space and sky. There's time in the West - time for stories, legends, myths and songs. And it's Ian Tyson's world. And now, with Carnero Vaquero, Tyson's 13th album in the Stony Plain catalogue, the legendary singer and songwriter brings his world to yours. Ten memorable songs with tunes you can remember, stories that resonate, and a resolute, strong voice. The album title: Carnero is the Spanish word for ram, and Vaquero is Spanish for cowboy, and, indeed, the cowboy tradition in the south-western United States. Now 81, Tyson is the preeminent western singer in North America. He continues to tour across Canada and the U. S. and still manages the Tyson Ranch south of Calgary. Key tracks: Colorado Horses, Darcy Farrow, The Flood, Cottonwood Canyon. Recorded (mostly live off the floor) at the Stone House on the Tyson Ranch. 10 songs ranging from the traditional (Doney Girl) to co-writes with Calgary's Kris Demeanor. Five new Tyson songs, a tuneful remake of Darcy Farrow (originally recorded in the early '60s Ian & Sylvia days). Wolves No Longer Sing is written with Tom Russell - the pair co-wrote Navajo Rug, one of Tyson's biggest hits. The distinctive Tyson voice has recovered from the accident that damaged it in 2007.
D**R
Always Alberta's Child -genuine and raw honesty in lyrics and song.
The other reviews give you the details of his losing his voice a few years ago. I heard him give a concert in Montana about four years ago, the voice was strained, but the lyrics, the energy, and the first class instrumental backup more than compensated. Ian is a crusty guy,I remember after the show he was signing CDs and got a bit irritated that he had to open the shrink wrap on the CD for a fan before signing, but you take Ian as he is, he is not a schmoozer, he is a genuine cowboy, with the creaky gait of a guy who has been thrown from a few bulls in his time.He walks like his knees and hips hurt!This CD does not disappoint. The voice is better after the surgery, it is not what it was twenty years ago but , hey, he is 81, and even now his voice has a residual mellowness,a world weary quality that is rich, and surpasses Willie Nelson's voice at his best. "Chantelle" has an Orbison quality to the melody and the voice, only with a Western theme.The lyrics of Tyson are complex; this is the music truly favored by cowboys out on the range,not the slick "country music" of Nashville folks with blinged out Escalades and oversized ridiculous "cowboy" hats. With Ian, you know that he has been there, out in that cold Alberta wind, driving the I-15 to a cutting horse competition in Vegas, "having a drink at Stockmans" (in Elko) in the song "MC Horses". These latter two are not on this CD, but they make the point.Carnero Vaquero's mood, with the different voice, a different age for Tyson, is reflective, wistful, artfully done. Ian doesn't make this stuff up, he has lived enough to convey great emotion and content to a driver like myself, stuck in traffic in my Avalanche in the middle of a major West Coast city.As Ian says "he may go to Hell, or even Vancouver, but he'll always be Alberta's child"
T**F
Ian Tyson
If you're an Ian Tyson fan, there's not much one could say about his music that you don't already know. If not, I suggest you get one of his earlier albums, such as "Cowboyography,"to hear the music that has made Tyson a legend. You'll hear the difference between real cowboy and Western music as compared to modern Country and Western. His most recent albums such as "Carnero Vaquero" have become more introspective - very listenable, but not representative of the music he is known for.Is he for everyone? Of course not, but he provides the listener with a musical glance into modern Western music as well as some recognizable historical pieces. Caution: His compositions, singing and playing are real "earworm" music. Some will linger in your head long after you've turned the music off.Ian Tyson, by the way, is the Ian of Ian and Sylvia of folk singing days.Anecdote: I was taking a very spirited Arabian out on the trail for a training ride many years ago. He suddenly got very snuffy,dancing about and clearly wouldn't have minded the chance to pitch me. I began singing my favorite Tyson song, "FiftyYears Ago," and he settled down and regained his trail composure. He probably figured if he couldn't throw me he'd better cooperate so he could save his hearing. In any case, he became my favorite partner.
P**E
Ian Tyson's best Album since "Gravel Road"
Several years ago Ian Tyson sustained serious damage to his voice as a result of straining his voice while singing at a concert ("fighting the sound system," as he said) and then getting a bad upper respiratory infection that made it worse.His voice was very poor in his next two albums, especially in "Yellowhead to Yellowstone and other Love Stories." According to what I've read, he saw a highly skilled doctor, who worked a miracle. Recently he recorded Carnero Vaquero. His voice is back! In his eighties, Tyson's voice sounds nearly as clear as it did in his thirties, and now it has more character and reflects the experience of a long life.There are some very good songs on this album. There's a traditional one ("Doney Gal"). There are two new renditions of old songs ("Will James," first performed on his "Ian Tyson" album, and "Darcy Farrow," which he and Sylvia Tyson performed on their 1965 "Early Morning Rain" album). And there are seven other songs, of which (in my opinion) "Colorado Horses," "Wolves no Longer Sing," and "Cottonwood Canyon" are the best -- but they're all good.
M**R
Five Stars
tops
M**Y
Five Stars
This was a gift to my Husband. He enjoys that kind of music. He was impressed!
A**.
Great, Great, Great.
Another brilliant album from a master
S**E
Five Stars
SORRY I DON'T KNOW - IT WAS A GIFT
R**E
Strong recording from a true road warrior.
Ian is 81 years old and still going strong. The voice is back and the song writing strong.
J**.
Five Stars
Another great cd from the Master. Really enjoyed it, nice to hear that rich voice back again.
R**K
Five Stars
Great stuff from THE master western singer song writer! None better
L**U
Classic
Love the lyrics and the soothing voice of Ian. An album with character and meaning.
J**I
Five Stars
As always, an Ian Tyson CD never disappoints!
H**R
Four Stars
Great to hear Ian with his voice back and singing his familiar cowboy type songs
M**I
Buy it!
The Master strikes again!
S**E
Love the song, "Cottonwood Canyon"!
A nice mix of songs by our Canadian cowboy!
M**L
Three Stars
not songs I am familiar with but sounds good...
E**Z
Five Stars
Shows off Ian's new voice very well.
F**E
Five Stars
fabulous to hear Ian singing again
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