July 7, 2014

Corb Lund’s Sizzling, Glorious “Counterfeit Blues”

New West Records

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Corb Lund
Counterfeit Blues
New West

When Canadian country rocker Corb Lund and his longtime backing trio, the Hurtin’ Albertans, entered legendary Sun Studio (launching pad for Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, et al.) in Memphis for two days of sessions, the result was this crackerjack album. Cut live in gloriously warm mono, Counterfeit Blues features new versions of previously recorded songs Lund and company had performed on stage for years, and it shows—in the best possible way. The band is loose and energetic, but tight as can be, while Lund’s spirited vocals are playful and commanding at once. This sizzling brew of honky-tonk, rockabilly, and boogie recalls the ’80s glory days of Nashville upstarts Jason and the Scorchers, and that’s an impressive achievement indeed.

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