Video Corb Lund & The Hurtin’ Albertans live up to expectations in Revelstoke

Corb Lund and the Hurtin’ Albertans brought the full house at the Revelstoke Performing Arts Centre to their feet on Feb. 3 at the most anticipated show at the arts venue this season.

Corb Lund and the Hurtin’ Albertans at the Revelstoke Performing Arts Centre. Photo: Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Mountaineer

Now a highly-decorated Canadian country music veteran, Lund’s alt-country act attracted country fans in cowboy hats and many more Revelstokians who may not even call themselves fans of the genre. They were attracted to the star performer’s authenticity and artistry.

In addition to his classics, Lund performed many new works from 2015’s Things That Can’t Be Undone to a crowd that was psyched for this show.

The performance of the wry “Washed-Up Rock Star Factory Blues,” displayed Lund’s songwriting craftsmanship matched with his great stage presentation of this confessional fear of flaming out as a musician.

Corb Lund at the Revelstoke Performing Arts Centre. Photo: Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Mountaineer

Lund played the mournful “S Lazy H” solo. Lund, who comes from an Alberta ranching and agricultural background, tells the tale of a ranch lost to family division, and ultimately the bank. The dolent tale is captured in lyrical vignettes that start with a youth chasing cows, to family issues, differences, and the woeful outcome for the ranch. In other words, it’s a tearjerker about a lifelong rancher that forfeited the ranch through no fault of his own.

Above is a video of his performance of “Run This Town,” a song about a past love, and what could have been.

Corb Lund is an authentic Canadian star, and this show was bound to sell out. It did surprise organizers when it sold out months early, especially in Revelstoke where audiences (we) have gained a reputation for being last-minute.

Lund’s great reception from the audience on Wednesday night raises a question: With good alt/folk/roots/rock bands playing to half-empty rooms all the time in Revelstoke, could live Revelstoke venue programmers save the ranch by roping a little more country into their mix?