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I know almost all the words and I hum along under my breath. So when I‘m given the chance to interview the legendary Ian Tyson in advance of his upcoming shows in Kelowna and Vernon, I jump at the chance. Before the phone call, I Google Four Strong Winds and learn that everyone from John Denver to Johnny Cash has covered the Tyson song. A gazillion other artists have covered other tunes, from Sarah McLachlan and The Tragically Hip to Neil Young and Bob Dylan. It‘s hard to keep track of. When I reach him by phone at his ranch house in the foothills of Alberta, I tell him about something I read that week that said: “Most people live and die with their music still inside them. They never dare to try.” I ask him what it feels like to know he succeeded in getting his music out into the world. “Oh, well, you know. . . .” He begins in a laid-back cowboy tone. “It was a huge, incremental process. Lots of failures, down times, victories. It was a long journey. I‘m one of the lucky ones and I feel very honoured.” I imagine him on the other end of the line in overalls and a cowboy hat, like a character in a Louis L‘Amour novel. And that‘s probably pretty close. While many roots, country and Americana bands these days make a living singing songs about dusty roads and cowboys while living in the suburbs and frequenting Starbucks, Tyson is the real deal. Born in Victoria in 1933, he decided upon a career as a rodeo rider in his teens. He rode until an injury from a fall left him in a slow state of recovery. It was then that he took up the guitar. In the late 1950s, Ian hitchhiked to Toronto in search of a career as a commercial artist. He started playing clubs and coffeehouses in Toronto. By 1959, he was performing music full-time. Enter Sylvia Fricker, who later became Sylvia Tyson. Ian and Sylvia began performing together and, in 1962, relocated to New York City, where they caught the attention of Albert Grossman, who managed Bob Dylan at the time. He got them a contract with Vanguard, and they released their first album together. However it was their second album, Four Strong Winds, which became a major hit and went on to secure their stardom. They recorded about a dozen albums before splitting as a group. Soon thereafter, they divorced. Disillusioned with the Canadian country music scene, Tyson retreated to Western Canada and back to ranching, but eventually started producing records again. Since then, he has had a thriving solo career that continues to this day. At the age of 73, Tyson is still going strong. He manages his ranch duties and horse riding, fitting music in with two hours a day allotted to writing, usually early in the mornings. “Before the arthritis kicks in,” he says with a laugh. The latest song he‘s plugging away on is entitled Glimpses of Bliss, a piece about “those fleeting moments of joy.” When asked what his greatest joy is, he pauses before answering. “Being on stage is hard to beat. When you can take the audience on a journey, when you can take those people somewhere with a song . . . that‘s pretty joyful.” His voice swells with enthusiasm and it‘s clear he loves connecting with a crowd. That would certainly explain the legions of loyal fans who still come out to see him live. Still, he admits that past touring schedules have sometimes been too much. “A few years ago we had something like 80 dates and it just about killed me. This year I hope we‘ll do 40.” Tyson is an easy man to talk to. We discuss Joni Mitchell (who, of course, he‘s rubbed shoulders with), and an interview on CBC where she said that after she reunited with her long-lost daughter, she stopped writing songs. “I don‘t think I‘ll ever stop writing,” Tyson concludes. “I get real unhappy if I go a long time without it. The songs come slower now and they require more, but they keep sliding into my consciousness.” He pauses, then adds, “But it‘s closing the deal that‘s the trick. Starting is easy. It‘s finishing that‘s the hard part.” Tyson‘s latest CD, Songs from the Gravel Road, is a collection of country songs from the “old school,” songs about cowboys and love, and songs about his beloved Alberta. They came to him on his daily walks along the gravel road that runs between his ranch house and the stone cottage he uses as a writing retreat. “I guess 80 per cent of my songs come on that walk.” Tyson enjoys making jovial references to his age, and how it‘s taking its toll. “My concentration‘s not so good anymore, and my memory‘s terrible,” he says. “I can remember songs from years ago, but I can‘t remember what happened last week.” I want to know what he‘s learned, if there‘s anything he knows now that he wished he‘d known earlier. “Not enough. Not enough.” There is a thoughtful pause before he adds, “But I‘m workin‘ on it.” Quick hit Who: Ian Tyson in concert Where and When: Sunday, June 3, Kelowna Community Theatre, and Friday, June 8, Vernon and District Arts Centre. Tickets: Kelowna: $45, available at Ticketmaster, 860-1470 Vernon: $49, available at Ticket Seller Box Office 549-SHOW (7469) or www.ticketseller.ca uu Top of Page |
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September 2, 2010, 2:48 pm |