In the liner notes to his 1994 album To All My Friends in Far-Flung Places, the late Dave Van Ronk lamented, "One of the major problems of the current songwriting renaissance is the dearth of discriminating interpreters. ... It is next to impossible to get someone, anyone, to sing a song he or she didn't personally compose." So Van Ronk proceeded to devote a two-disc album to covering material from performers well known and obscure. Though he cut an impressive number of memorable albums over the course of a storied half-century career, this one came up short; among the shortcomings, an irritating number of songs that aren't as good as Van Ronk's intentions.

With Songs My Friends Wrote, Canadian artist Corb Lund takes a comparable approach but with more cheering results. First of all, he wisely confines himself to 10 cuts and a single disc. Both happen to pick something by the legendary Ian Tyson. Unfortunately, Van Ronk takes the lazier path, turning to the terrific but way-too-familiar "Four Strong Winds." A protege of fellow Albertan Tyson and a singer-songwriter who sounds broadly like a younger, rocked-up version of the master, Lund seeks out overlooked gems in everything and everybody he covers here. With Tyson it's two neglected masterpieces, "Montana Waltz" and "Road to Las Cruces." Tyson had three careers, first as half of the popular revival act Ian & Sylvia, then a spottily interesting one as a country singer, and finally an extraordinary three decades as a Western-themed folk balladeer. Both of Lund's covers are from this last period. (Tyson is alive but retired owing to poor health.)

Beyond Tyson's, I recognize several names, most prominently Tom Russell, a notable artist in his own right and an occasional collaborator with his longtime pal Tyson. Others are known to me -- Hayes Carll (honored twice), Fred Eaglesmith, Todd Snider -- though I am only passingly familiar with their songs. Lund's effort encourages me to find out more. That also applies to names new to me: Geoff Berner, John Evans, Mike Plume. Rather remarkably, there is not a song to shrug off, much less dislike.

Besides being rewarding on the listening level, Berner's "That's What Keeps the Rent Down, Baby" digs into a unique subject, urban gentrification, and in startlingly dark fashion. You don't hear something like this very often, if at all. In fact, what distinguishes these writers and these songs is their refreshing originality of voice, so unexpected that even often-visited narratives (musicians on the road, couples in distress) feel new. Evans's "Pasa-Get-Down-Dena," on the other hand, doesn't pretend to any higher ambition than to recreate an old-fashioned, low-down rockabilly stomp. Naturally, it is insanely thrilling.

On the other hand, Plume's "Big American Headliner" subtly draws up emotions and resentments only a particularly gifted artist could evoke without slipping into a rage-fueled rant. Meanwhile, the concluding cut, Snider's "Age Like Wine," amiably mocks a road-frazzled performer -- clearly himself -- and his fans' all-too-predictable judgments and complaints.

Lund hints at more of this to come. I'll be waiting.

[ visit Corb Lund's website ]