Plus, Corb Lund’s El Viejo a nod to country legend Ian Tyson, the many talents of Logan Klaus and a new single from Scenic Route to Alaska
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Booker Diduck and his Cribbage Club: Heritage Classic
In the same manner as a drunken yahoo screaming “more cowbell” at a rock concert, some of us crave the sweet, luscious tones of pedal-steel guitar. Booker Diduck’s debut album is awash in steel guitar, echoing across its tracks like an arching luminescent string of light, satisfying the discerning listener’s lust for horizontal guitar heroics.
Booker Diduck and his Cribbage Club’s Heritage Classic is a love letter to the classic country musicians Diduck found inspiration from while playing in several Alberta-based bands. It’s a passion project for Diduck, who likens the album to a “toe in the water” project to test his songwriting skills.
Musically, Heritage Classic is a joy to listen to. Eschewing hot-40 country music for the tired-and-true stylings of honky-tonk and two-stepping, Diduck finds a sashaying groove throughout the album and sticks close to it.
Kicking off with its first single, River Queen shuffles to a train-clacking rhythm as Diduck sings about a woman who enjoys fried chicken from the corner store, cheating at cards and cheap liquor. Electric guitars are turned up and sufficiently crunchy on Side Winds, delving into alt-country territory. Album highlight Radio Bingo pays tribute to Alberta’s cherished pastime of tuning in for Windspeaker Radio’s Saturday night bingo.
Small lyrical details such as a dirty truck stop near Crowsnest Pass or fighting younger cousins when they get racist give Heritage Classic an intimate feeling as if Diduck and crew are performing the songs three feet away on a tiny stage. Diduck’s vocals don’t have the same depth or range as the pioneers he pays tribute to, but when combined with others’ harmonies over a bed of velvety, tear-in-your-beer pedal steel, it’s easily forgiveable.
Corb Lund: El Viejo
El Viejo, which roughly translates to “old man,” is dedicated to his late friend and country-music legend Ian Tyson, whom Lund eulogizes on the title track. The rest of the album contains his trademark aftermentioned narrative songs (The Cardplayer, Out on a Win and Insha’Allah) and tracks about the push-pull dynamics of vices (I Had It All, Redneck Rehab and Old Familiar Drunken Feeling).
Lund and crew cut the songs live in his living room, often in first takes, which gives the album an organic, lived-in feel. Familiar, thoughtful and heartfelt, El Viejo is another winner in Lund’s discography.
Logan Klaus: Genesis
It’s fitting the debut album Edmonton’s Logan Klaus kicks off with a Prince-style spoken word intro as Genesis is a solo effort. Written, produced and entirely performed by Klaus, Genesis is a hell of an introduction to his vast talents.
Having toiled in the city’s bar-band scene, Klaus is now showcasing his songwriting skills, and he has an uncanny knack for a hook. Tracks such as Violet and Trust have a lively feel, designed to rainbow out of your speakers and into your brain. Single Waves rides a synth and funky bass line, complete with a catchy chorus, handclaps and guitar solo. There are poppy ’80s vibes throughout (think Jack Antonoff’s Bleachers, but not corny), with the album designed for maximum playlist potential.
Listen to Genesis on your preferred streaming service.