Photo credit: Lyle Bell

Edmonton’s Captain Tractor, a stalwart of the prairie music scene since the 90s, marks the 30th anniversary of the classic album East of Edson with a new revisited edition, the release of a new mini-doc, and the announcement of shows in Edmonton and Calgary in April.

East of Edson (Revisited) is not simply a remaster, but a reworked, re-recorded and updated collection of songs that reflect the band’s changed lineup and the evolution of the music over decades, offering hardcore fans a fresh take on songs that have truly stood the test of time. For an album that originally sold over 40,000 copies, home to the definitive version of “The Last Saskatchewan Pirate,” a song equally fit for weddings and CFL intermissions alike, East of Edson (Revisited) tells the story of a band who DIY’d their way to commercial success, loyal fans, and a place in prairie music history.

To make East of Edson (Revisited), the band sourced the only remaining tapes from the Provincial Archives of Alberta. With an assist from the archivists, Captain Tractor took the 300 odd tracks back into the studio, adding parts by “new” members Jon Nordstrom, Jason Kodie and Shannon Johnson, editing, polishing and generally bringing East of Edson into the modern studio age. From the Top 40 hit of album opener, “Up the Hill,” to the poignant ballads of “West Coast Rain,” and “Talk,” to the raucous rollover-ready party anthems throughout, including a cover of “London Calling,” East of Edson (Revisited) adds a new chapter to the band’s impressive run.

A brand new mini-doc tells the story of the album, the band, and the legend. Directed by Travis Nesbitt, the doc features original VHS footage alongside new interviews with past and current band members, crew, and other western scenesters. From the early days of Irish ditties at the Sidetrack to leading the surging Celtic punk pack, Captain Tractor shares marketing secrets (and other secrets) and more in this pop-up video style history.