I HAVE AN ALBUM COMING OUT! And I have just realised my first cover on Spotify. Let me know what you think! And follow me on Spotify to hear the album as soon as it comes out. open.spotify.com/track/6qfvKbg6ukHJOGykx2MARB?si=8a2fa85792b14d15
“Misguided Angel” off of The Trinity Session is a very good showcase for her voice, also “Blue Moon Revisited” from the same. In fact, “Blue Moon Revisited” showcases just how much sound can be generated when the note you sing is your vocal tract’s natural resonance. It’s amazing.
Ironically Sweet Jane was used in 'Natural Born Killers'. As you mention 'Misguided Angel' is one of her more famous ones (Trinity session - with Natalie Merchant is probably the best). Been to the city of Timmins many times. ruclips.net/video/N3TVgEpMyhI/видео.html
It is a bit of a surprise that this is the first time I have seen someone do a reaction to the Cowboy Junkies. I saw them back in the 90s on an extremely hot Melbourne day and Margo's voice is one of my favourites that I have seen live. Like Beth said, so much warmth.
Margot Timmins was originally so shy she would not face people when she sang and only agreed to sing on their first album if she could do so without having to look at anyone. The original version of this cover was recorded with one microphone for the entire band. If an instrument gets louder in the mix it's because the player moved closer to the mic. I strongly urge you to listen to the first four albums, even though the first two albums consist almost entirely of covers. "Misguided Angel" is the one of the few originals on those records (and it's great!) but the covers of Blue Moon, State Trooper, Walking After Midnight, So Lonesome I Could Cry are all fantastic. Margot's voice is incredible and the production of the albums is as well. The Trinity Session, where this cover came from, was named after the church the band performed in. This church was in service during the recording so there were parishioners in the church with them while it was recorded.
Oh no no no. You should have listened to the "Studio" Version from the Album Trinity Sessions. was recorded inside Toronto's Church of the Holy Trinity on the night of November 27, 1987, with the band circled around a single microphone. It is one of the Greatest Albums ever made. It isn't a collection of songs. It's an experience. A journey from start to finish, with this haunting feel and low key acoustic echo of playing in a big old open space. It's a master piece and every song on that album should only be listened to in its original recording and intent to truly feel the junkies and Margo Timmins angelic voice. Nothing husky about her voice there. Puuuure, warm, haunting. This version is not THE version lou reed said was his favourite.
Love Cowboy Junkies! The albums "The Trinity Session" and "Caution Horses" are still among my all time favourites even after all these years. A bit of a "shout out" to the "non Timmins" band members, Bass player Alan Anton is a childhood friend of main man Michael Timmins and has been with the band right from the beginnining, always tasteful playing and provides a rock solid foundation for the rest of the band. Jeff Bird on electric Mandolin is fairly low key on this track, but provides some jaw dropping moments both on mandolin and harmonica on other tracks. Jaro Czwewinec on Accordion was only with the band for a couple of the early albums but, IMO, his accordion playing gave the band much of their distinctive sound at the time, there really was no one else around who sounded remotely like them. The truly atmospheric recorded sound on the aforementioned "Trinity Session" made it a popular test record for Hi Fi reviewers back in the day. The track "To Love is to Bury" from this album is one of my favourites from them and well worth a listen "Americana" at it's finest.
Well... country-ish. :) I have been a huge fan of them for decades, and have seen them play more than once. I think "Mining for Gold" would be a good choice for you too hear her voice on its own.
You probably know, but many others won't but the Trinity sessions isn't a studio album. It was recorded in Toronto's church of the holy trinity on a single microphone. Also yes, that arrangement is miles better.
You should listen to some of their tracks for their album "The Caution Horses." "Sun Comes Up, It's Tuesday Morning" and "Cause Cheap is How I Feel" are both masterworks. Accordions are actually fairly common in Canadian folk-rock bands.
It's a good and interesting cover. There are a ton of versions of Sweet Jane from heavy rock to gentle acoustic but it originally appeared on the Velvet Underground's 4th album Loaded. Lou Reed left the band before the album's completion. He was critical of the album on its release. One reason for this was "Sweet Jane" originally was comprised of 3 sections. A minor melody without lyric introduced the song, the main body of the song with its classic chords and the main and now familiar lyrics , then another melody & lyric to conclude. This final segment with the "heavenly wine and roses" refrain was cut from the album and could potentially have been lost forever, but later on various live recordings from 1969/70 with Lou present were turned into two live albums - 'Max's Kansas City' has the 3 segment version in it's entirety and on 'VU Live 1969' a slowed down version with alternative lyrics and more emphasis on the 3rd segment and its associated lyrics. This is the version covered here. Given that album with all it's crackles and hiss was bought by about only 43 people you have to give them credit for finding it and then doing it justice with some quite velveteen guitar work! Incidentally a 2015 remastered version of Loaded included the segment originally cut, but many would say it may have been better left on the studio floor.
I normally hate the fact that so many people only know about or associate songs with movies, but in this case I can never help but think about Natural Born Killers, which uses this song to particularly good effect.
The Junkies were a fantastic band. Moody and introspective with thought provoking lyrics, they are definitely a "vibe". You should definitely check out "Sun Comes Up, It's Tuesday Morning"! It's a beautiful, heartbreaking song!
The story behind their record "The Trinity Session" is pretty interesting. 😄 I do listen to some of their music, just because it's well produced, good to demo stereo with. 🎶
The original album version (played live at the Trinity church), the entire Trinity Session album, was their lightning in a bottle. If you want to hear what made the Cowboy Junkies, that's where you'll hear it. I have never heard them sound anything like the way they played on their breakthrough album.
Just had an alert that brought me back to this comment, and after re-reading it, I meant it out of great appreciation for the Cowboy Junkies, and for The Trinity Session album. A friend wanted me to hear this album in the early 1990s. My friends and I grew up listening to classic rock, because 1980s music was such a big change compared to what music was like before. So in the early 90s, when a friend said he wanted me to hear an album called The Trinity Session by a group called the Cowboy Junkies, a 1980s group that I had never heard of, I could not have been in a worse or less receptive frame of mind when I sat down to hear their music for the first time. I was prepared, and expecting, to not like it. The first song I heard was Blue Moon. I had never heard anything quite like it before. It was hypnotizing. A little like Pink Floyd, but slowed down to a crawl, with a female lead vocal. It was one of those rare moments when you connect immediately with a group or artist. I had a similar experience the first time I heard the first side of Van Morrison's album 'Moondance'. Or Joni Mitchell's album 'Blue'. Or the songs 'Comfortably Numb' or 'Wish You Were Here' (Pink Floyd). Next, my friend played their cover of Sweet Jane. I could hardly believe it. Then Misguided Angel. I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry. 200 More Miles. Mining for Gold. I Don't Get It. To Love is to Bury. It's like a Greatest Hits album, except it all flows together perfectly. The sound is somehow alive on this particular recording (The Trinity Session, 1988), in a way that studio albums are not, but also in a way that most live albums are not. There is a presence to the music that is electric, something about the combination of the venue, the one central microphone, and the recording equipment. It's an amazing album, a moment captured in time. One of my favorites, for around 30 years now 👍🙂
Great song & band to hear a reaction to. Despite the name , I wouldn’t give them a country music label. I think their music is solidly in the folk vein .
I was lucky enough to see them in concert twice back in the 90's here in St. Louis, Mo. Amazing show each time. Transcendentally blissful experience is the best way I can think to describe it. If you ever have the chance to see them, I strongly recommend it.
This is a pretty understated live performance for her. When she wants to she can really blow the roof off the dump, as Letterman used to say. The live performances are much more dynamic than the records.
There are no fancy clothes and no show action or people jostling for action - just very good music! Thats what I like - thanks for sharing and best wishes @all from hamburg (germany)
The Cowboy Junkies are considered folk-rock/alternative country. They would have been quite at home in the mid-sixties with the San Francisco bands as well as the folk-rock/blues bands like the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, the Blues Project, and Charlie Musselwhite.
HOLY CRAP !! the entire album THE TRINITY SESSIONS was recorded inside an old church live and it is one the best ever! can t believe this is getting some well deserved recognition also-a another little known canadian singer known as SHANIA TWAIN also came out of TIMMINS ONTARIO
I remember when I heard their debut album "Trinity sessions" for the first time when it was released - mindblowing! This album recording is much much more quiet and calm.
I've seen Cowboy Junkies twice and they were amazing. The last time I saw them in 2001 was in a venue where I had my arms resting on the stage in front of Margo. I got her playlist at the end of the show and still have it to this day.
Interesting side note she definitely isn't that introverted anymore. When I finally got to see them live a few years ago (maybe 4 years ago?) Margo was the only member of the band to sign at the merch table after the show.
The Trinity Sessions were recorded at Trinity Church in Canada. A building of perfect acoustics it was all captured on one Alrec ambisonic condenser mic. I saw them in Raleigh nc in the 90s and she stopped the to let this little granny come up and give her an apple pie that she made for Margo 💖
This was a Lou Reed staple both in the later years of the Velvet Underground and as a solo artist. He did so many different versions and speeds, between slow and soulful to fast and rockin'. This version by Cowboy Junkies is also a much different version than their album version. Their album version was much more stripped down and slower. This version leans more towards the Velvet version.
That was a really interesting, kind of psychedelic take on the song. Up until now, I'd only heard the studio version of their cover, which is quite a bit quieter. I also never knew that I needed distorted mandolin in my life until now.
Cowboy Junkies' song "A Horse in the Country," is a great song off the Black-Eyed man album. Trinity Sessions is a "desert island" record, an absolute masterpiece.
I saw them perform this live at Massey Hall several years ago and it was fantastic. Check out A Common Disaster and Late Night Radio. Who the heck called them a country band????
Accordion - sure, very nice touch. But the Mando! She was always shy very long into her singing career - part of her sound, actually. That’s gone now out of her voice - now she owns it. I’m grateful for both.
I would recommend checking out the studio version. They recorded the album in an old church completely live. This is a pretty good version but I find it a bit busy. The original had sparser instrumentation which gave it a haunting quality that seems to be lost here. Also, this song is originally by a band called The Velvet Underground.
On the "reminds me of Scottland" comment, there's a LOT of Scottish and Celtic culture in Eastern Canada, and the music from that area is heavily influenced by it. Nice choice, by the way. A big Cowboy Junkies fan here. Cheers! A P.S. on my comment above - for your own listening pleasure, try to find a good live performance - or at least the studio recordings - of her singing Niel Young's "Powder Finger" and her own song, "Misguided Angel". Mind-blowing beautiful!
Karen Carpenter similar story. Brother talked her into singing. "And the rest is history" as they say. Sweet Jane is an awesome rendition but Misguided Angel even more amazing
My goodness to have you review a voice I have obsessed over for decades since listening to Trinity Sessions!!!! Just another amazing band that never got the attention they so deserve. Listen to Pale Sun Cresent Moon!
I really like Margo's voice, they have done a number of covers, like "Powder finger", which is a Neil Young song, but also do their own, like "Sun comes up, it's Tuesday afternoon", or Misguided Angel". If you like to check out unique voices give a listen to the voice of Frazey Ford, of The Be Good Tanyas, try "Junkie song".
Thanks for the background on the band. I didn't know they were a bunch of rich kids who got to be artists. Seems to be the way: When people don't have to worry about paying rent and putting food on the table, they tend to choose art as a vocation. We should all be so lucky.
Love Lou Reed and love this song. When I first heard this version, I was like....ehhhhh. After listening to it more, it really has grown on me. It's an excellent alternative version.
You mentioned Margo being nervous about singing with the band...another shy vocalist you should listen to is Eva Cassidy. I recommend "People Get Ready" as an Eva Cassidy Tour de force. As a vocal coach, if you've never heard her....on my, what a treat it would be for you. Eva, unfortunately, passed WAY before her time. But we do have the recordings of her that, IMO, cement her legacy as one of the best female vocalists ever.
Came across the Cowboy Junkies through a girlfriend, whose best friend in Melbourne worked in the arts and had put her together a mix ‘tape’ of music - on which was this song!
Being familiar with the various versions of The Velvet Underground's (Lou Reed) original piece in from their 1970 album 'Loaded', I must say this version here is quite different. The song itself lends itself easily to the different takes that it has been recorded in, all have their positive quality's. Reed's delivery style (talkspeak) with this song is not unlike much of the Underground's work, and the Junkies similar lyric delivery by Margo Timmins. Reed's iconic live version without the Underground, off his '73 double album "Rock n' Roll Animal', instrumentally takes this otherwise laid back ballad to a different level, but the original as well this version, stay in the context of what the song will always be going forward.
as a canadian who was 21 when they really hit the scene i take (humorously) exception to categorizing them as a Country band. they were just a damn good band if you liked solid earthy warm vocals. why pigeon hole them
Hi Beth, nice review! I'd like to siggest you a classic: Elis & Tom, Aguas de Março. There is an amazing live video made during the recording session, Im sure you will like it. Take care.
Consider the original song by the band was released in 1988 and over time and with age not everyones vocals can still cope with the high/low pitches. Loved Margos vocals on the original recording and still watch the video.
One of my favourite folk rock/Canadiana bands! Grew up through my teenage years in the late 80s/early 90s listening to Cowboy Junkies, Blue Rodeo, and The Tragically Hip; was so spoiled for great music from those bands and many others during that era. And I agree with others that while this particular live version of this song cover is good, I’ll always prefer the studio/Trinity Session versions more.
i bought Trinity Sessions when it came out, and it didn't leave my cassette player for years. This live version is fine, but you really need to listen to the album version. it's perfection. the whole album is incredible.
My ex wife has one hell of a voice. Her harmonies are warm and beautiful, she can do it all. Unfortunately stage fright got the better of her. Such a shame. It was a huge pleasure listening to her sing around the house and when she was playing her guitar. Goose bumps.
I HAVE AN ALBUM COMING OUT! And I have just realised my first cover on Spotify. Let me know what you think! And follow me on Spotify to hear the album as soon as it comes out. open.spotify.com/track/6qfvKbg6ukHJOGykx2MARB?si=8a2fa85792b14d15
I have seen the Cowboy Junkies several times in concert and I swear it is like a religious experience. That VOICE! 💟
YES! I saw them about 15 years back, and understood why fan girls scream.
im going to see them twice this summer ,im a big fan its about time they made it to my area of canada again
I concur!!! 🌀
“Misguided Angel” off of The Trinity Session is a very good showcase for her voice, also “Blue Moon Revisited” from the same. In fact, “Blue Moon Revisited” showcases just how much sound can be generated when the note you sing is your vocal tract’s natural resonance. It’s amazing.
Couldn't agree more. What a beautiful song
Misguided Angel breaks my heart every time. Such a beautiful song.
Misguided Angel is one of my favorite songs of theirs.
i've only ever heard the trinity sessions album from them. i wonder if they were inspired by j.j. cale at all?
the laid back sound is similar.
Ironically Sweet Jane was used in 'Natural Born Killers'. As you mention 'Misguided Angel' is one of her more famous ones (Trinity session - with Natalie Merchant is probably the best). Been to the city of Timmins many times. ruclips.net/video/N3TVgEpMyhI/видео.html
Their Trinity Sessions remain one of my favorite albums. It’s a live recording around a single mic and is simply beautiful.
with a portable DAT recorder
Their cover of "Powder Finger" is unreal. You won't forget it if you listen to it.
Agreed, it truly is fantastic.
One of the best ever renditions of Neil Young song.
Had to go back and listen to the Studio version. Amazing.
The Trinity Session, one of the best albuns ever.
This is the best best song of all time. I love Cowboy Junkies doing it.
I didn't mind this version at all, but the studio version is magical 👍👍
oh fuck is it ever!!!
Absolutely!
No doubt. The studio cut is sublime. Don’t mind this either but … the studio was Trinity and the vibe was perfect.
Agreed - this version is overly-busy in my opinion
It is a bit of a surprise that this is the first time I have seen someone do a reaction to the Cowboy Junkies. I saw them back in the 90s on an extremely hot Melbourne day and Margo's voice is one of my favourites that I have seen live. Like Beth said, so much warmth.
Margot Timmins was originally so shy she would not face people when she sang and only agreed to sing on their first album if she could do so without having to look at anyone. The original version of this cover was recorded with one microphone for the entire band. If an instrument gets louder in the mix it's because the player moved closer to the mic.
I strongly urge you to listen to the first four albums, even though the first two albums consist almost entirely of covers. "Misguided Angel" is the one of the few originals on those records (and it's great!) but the covers of Blue Moon, State Trooper, Walking After Midnight, So Lonesome I Could Cry are all fantastic. Margot's voice is incredible and the production of the albums is as well.
The Trinity Session, where this cover came from, was named after the church the band performed in. This church was in service during the recording so there were parishioners in the church with them while it was recorded.
Oh no no no. You should have listened to the "Studio" Version from the Album Trinity Sessions. was recorded inside Toronto's Church of the Holy Trinity on the night of November 27, 1987, with the band circled around a single microphone. It is one of the Greatest Albums ever made. It isn't a collection of songs. It's an experience. A journey from start to finish, with this haunting feel and low key acoustic echo of playing in a big old open space. It's a master piece and every song on that album should only be listened to in its original recording and intent to truly feel the junkies and Margo Timmins angelic voice. Nothing husky about her voice there. Puuuure, warm, haunting. This version is not THE version lou reed said was his favourite.
The trinity session recorded in a Toronto Church is a good listen.
Sweet Baby Mine
Love Cowboy Junkies! The albums "The Trinity Session" and "Caution Horses" are still among my all time favourites even after all these years. A bit of a "shout out" to the "non Timmins" band members, Bass player Alan Anton is a childhood friend of main man Michael Timmins and has been with the band right from the beginnining, always tasteful playing and provides a rock solid foundation for the rest of the band. Jeff Bird on electric Mandolin is fairly low key on this track, but provides some jaw dropping moments both on mandolin and harmonica on other tracks. Jaro Czwewinec on Accordion was only with the band for a couple of the early albums but, IMO, his accordion playing gave the band much of their distinctive sound at the time, there really was no one else around who sounded remotely like them. The truly atmospheric recorded sound on the aforementioned "Trinity Session" made it a popular test record for Hi Fi reviewers back in the day. The track "To Love is to Bury" from this album is one of my favourites from them and well worth a listen "Americana" at it's finest.
Well... country-ish. :) I have been a huge fan of them for decades, and have seen them play more than once. I think "Mining for Gold" would be a good choice for you too hear her voice on its own.
I’d say much more bluesy.
Studio version is much more moving, haunting and memorable. Peace/JT
Yeah. Don’t like this version at all. Studio better. Glad someone else agrees.
You probably know, but many others won't but the Trinity sessions isn't a studio album. It was recorded in Toronto's church of the holy trinity on a single microphone. Also yes, that arrangement is miles better.
You should listen to some of their tracks for their album "The Caution Horses." "Sun Comes Up, It's Tuesday Morning" and "Cause Cheap is How I Feel" are both masterworks.
Accordions are actually fairly common in Canadian folk-rock bands.
The Caution Horses is a brilliant album.
Margo Timmins' voice and singing style is like none others. And Michael Timmins is a genius. Followed them from their first album.
It's a good and interesting cover. There are a ton of versions of Sweet Jane from heavy rock to gentle acoustic but it originally appeared on the Velvet Underground's 4th album Loaded. Lou Reed left the band before the album's completion. He was critical of the album on its release. One reason for this was "Sweet Jane" originally was comprised of 3 sections. A minor melody without lyric introduced the song, the main body of the song with its classic chords and the main and now familiar lyrics , then another melody & lyric to conclude. This final segment with the "heavenly wine and roses" refrain was cut from the album and could potentially have been lost forever, but later on various live recordings from 1969/70 with Lou present were turned into two live albums - 'Max's Kansas City' has the 3 segment version in it's entirety and on 'VU Live 1969' a slowed down version with alternative lyrics and more emphasis on the 3rd segment and its associated lyrics. This is the version covered here. Given that album with all it's crackles and hiss was bought by about only 43 people you have to give them credit for finding it and then doing it justice with some quite velveteen guitar work! Incidentally a 2015 remastered version of Loaded included the segment originally cut, but many would say it may have been better left on the studio floor.
I normally hate the fact that so many people only know about or associate songs with movies, but in this case I can never help but think about Natural Born Killers, which uses this song to particularly good effect.
That was my first exposure to the song.
What a nice surprise. I wouldn't have expected see Cowboy Junkies here. Awesome band always with the coolest grooves. Thanks for doing this, Beth.
The 80s Cowpunk band Lone Justice does a great cover of this. Maria McKee is just plain incredible.
Her version of "I Wish I Was Your Mother" is stellar.
I love their cover of Tom Petty's Way to be Wicked.
I listen to a LOT of music! The Cowboy Junkies are my absolute favorite band. Margo's voice is PHENOMENAL! Nothing like the Cowboy Junkies!
Haven't heard/seen them in years. My they still sound incredible.
Please, please, please explore their *EXTENSIVE* catalogue!! I've been a fan for decades and they have NEVER failed to amaze!!
The Junkies were a fantastic band. Moody and introspective with thought provoking lyrics, they are definitely a "vibe". You should definitely check out "Sun Comes Up, It's Tuesday Morning"! It's a beautiful, heartbreaking song!
Were? They still are.
The story behind their record "The Trinity Session" is pretty interesting. 😄
I do listen to some of their music, just because it's well produced, good to demo stereo with. 🎶
The Trinity Sessions was recorded in a church and is an amazing and beautiful. As another commenter said Blue Moon Revisited is stunning!
The original album version (played live at the Trinity church), the entire Trinity Session album, was their lightning in a bottle. If you want to hear what made the Cowboy Junkies, that's where you'll hear it. I have never heard them sound anything like the way they played on their breakthrough album.
Just had an alert that brought me back to this comment, and after re-reading it, I meant it out of great appreciation for the Cowboy Junkies, and for The Trinity Session album.
A friend wanted me to hear this album in the early 1990s. My friends and I grew up listening to classic rock, because 1980s music was such a big change compared to what music was like before.
So in the early 90s, when a friend said he wanted me to hear an album called The Trinity Session by a group called the Cowboy Junkies, a 1980s group that I had never heard of, I could not have been in a worse or less receptive frame of mind when I sat down to hear their music for the first time.
I was prepared, and expecting, to not like it.
The first song I heard was Blue Moon. I had never heard anything quite like it before. It was hypnotizing. A little like Pink Floyd, but slowed down to a crawl, with a female lead vocal. It was one of those rare moments when you connect immediately with a group or artist. I had a similar experience the first time I heard the first side of Van Morrison's album 'Moondance'. Or Joni Mitchell's album 'Blue'. Or the songs 'Comfortably Numb' or 'Wish You Were Here' (Pink Floyd).
Next, my friend played their cover of Sweet Jane. I could hardly believe it. Then Misguided Angel. I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry. 200 More Miles. Mining for Gold. I Don't Get It. To Love is to Bury. It's like a Greatest Hits album, except it all flows together perfectly.
The sound is somehow alive on this particular recording (The Trinity Session, 1988), in a way that studio albums are not, but also in a way that most live albums are not. There is a presence to the music that is electric, something about the combination of the venue, the one central microphone, and the recording equipment.
It's an amazing album, a moment captured in time. One of my favorites, for around 30 years now 👍🙂
Great song & band to hear a reaction to. Despite the name , I wouldn’t give them a country music label. I think their music is solidly in the folk vein .
Always loved this song. It was featured prominently on the soundtrack for the movie Natural Born Killers, one of my favorite movies
I was lucky enough to see them in concert twice back in the 90's here in St. Louis, Mo. Amazing show each time. Transcendentally blissful experience is the best way I can think to describe it. If you ever have the chance to see them, I strongly recommend it.
This is a pretty understated live performance for her. When she wants to she can really blow the roof off the dump, as Letterman used to say. The live performances are much more dynamic than the records.
There are no fancy clothes and no show action or people jostling for action - just very good music! Thats what I like - thanks for sharing and best wishes @all from hamburg (germany)
Because cheap is how I feel, will break your heart. Stunning performance.
The Cowboy Junkies are considered folk-rock/alternative country. They would have been quite at home in the mid-sixties with the San Francisco bands as well as the folk-rock/blues bands like the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, the Blues Project, and Charlie Musselwhite.
HOLY CRAP !! the entire album THE TRINITY SESSIONS was recorded inside an old church live and it is one the best ever! can t believe this is getting some well deserved recognition
also-a another little known canadian singer known as SHANIA TWAIN also came out of TIMMINS ONTARIO
I love how you always give a background! My fellow canadians who i always thought of as folk rock/ country rock.
So awesome you are doing this...I adore this cover...its just perfect.
I remember when I heard their debut album "Trinity sessions" for the first time when it was released - mindblowing! This album recording is much much more quiet and calm.
Lou Reed wrote such beautiful music.
I've seen Cowboy Junkies twice and they were amazing. The last time I saw them in 2001 was in a venue where I had my arms resting on the stage in front of Margo. I got her playlist at the end of the show and still have it to this day.
Love them. It was between them and Pat Metheny when I was chilling out back in the day
The first time she performed in Ottawa, she was so shy that she sang with her back to the audience.
Interesting side note she definitely isn't that introverted anymore. When I finally got to see them live a few years ago (maybe 4 years ago?) Margo was the only member of the band to sign at the merch table after the show.
Miles from our home & Common Disaster are my go-to for some chill vibes.
Great Canadian band from out west!! ❤️🙏🇨🇦.. I heard they recorded in an old church cuz of the acoustics. Her voice is haunting!
Toronto is East.
They also have a sister Maggie Timmons who was an actress on Ryan's Hope! Talented family!
The Trinity Sessions were recorded at Trinity Church in Canada. A building of perfect acoustics it was all captured on one Alrec ambisonic condenser mic. I saw them in Raleigh nc in the 90s and she stopped the to let this little granny come up and give her an apple pie that she made for Margo 💖
This was a Lou Reed staple both in the later years of the Velvet Underground and as a solo artist. He did so many different versions and speeds, between slow and soulful to fast and rockin'. This version by Cowboy Junkies is also a much different version than their album version. Their album version was much more stripped down and slower. This version leans more towards the Velvet version.
That was a really interesting, kind of psychedelic take on the song. Up until now, I'd only heard the studio version of their cover, which is quite a bit quieter. I also never knew that I needed distorted mandolin in my life until now.
If you like distorted mandolin (and violin), check out another Canadian legend, one man band Nash the Slash.
@@SPAMDAGGER22 Thanks for the recommendation. I'll check him out :)
I love your reaction videos. You share your great joy and knowledge of music 🎶❤
Cowboy Junkies' song "A Horse in the Country," is a great song off the Black-Eyed man album. Trinity Sessions is a "desert island" record, an absolute masterpiece.
I saw them perform this live at Massey Hall several years ago and it was fantastic. Check out A Common Disaster and Late Night Radio. Who the heck called them a country band????
Accordion - sure, very nice touch. But the Mando!
She was always shy very long into her singing career - part of her sound, actually. That’s gone now out of her voice - now she owns it.
I’m grateful for both.
I would recommend checking out the studio version. They recorded the album in an old church completely live. This is a pretty good version but I find it a bit busy. The original had sparser instrumentation which gave it a haunting quality that seems to be lost here. Also, this song is originally by a band called The Velvet Underground.
On the "reminds me of Scottland" comment, there's a LOT of Scottish and Celtic culture in Eastern Canada, and the music from that area is heavily influenced by it.
Nice choice, by the way. A big Cowboy Junkies fan here.
Cheers!
A P.S. on my comment above - for your own listening pleasure, try to find a good live performance - or at least the studio recordings - of her singing Niel Young's "Powder Finger" and her own song, "Misguided Angel". Mind-blowing beautiful!
Karen Carpenter similar story. Brother talked her into singing. "And the rest is history" as they say. Sweet Jane is an awesome rendition but Misguided Angel even more amazing
My goodness to have you review a voice I have obsessed over for decades since listening to Trinity Sessions!!!! Just another amazing band that never got the attention they so deserve. Listen to Pale Sun Cresent Moon!
Saw them in concert,,,,,,what a crush I had on her
I really like Margo's voice, they have done a number of covers, like "Powder finger", which is a Neil Young song, but also do their own, like "Sun comes up, it's Tuesday afternoon", or Misguided Angel". If you like to check out unique voices give a listen to the voice of Frazey Ford, of The Be Good Tanyas, try "Junkie song".
Their new album is actually pretty amazing 🤩
So cool! i was just walking by the church where they recorded their breakout album. The Trinity Sessions in Toronto. Thanks Beth.
Thanks for the background on the band. I didn't know they were a bunch of rich kids who got to be artists. Seems to be the way: When people don't have to worry about paying rent and putting food on the table, they tend to choose art as a vocation. We should all be so lucky.
Margo is simply beautiful in every way.
Margo's voice can be summed up in one word-----Sultry .
Love Lou Reed and love this song. When I first heard this version, I was like....ehhhhh. After listening to it more, it really has grown on me. It's an excellent alternative version.
Her register is lower now in this than originally.
Nice review, great band. Only Margo, Michael (Guitar) and Peter Timmons (drums) are siblings
Great, Great Video! Love The Cowboy Junkies! So different. Lonely Sinking Feeling is my favorite!
You mentioned Margo being nervous about singing with the band...another shy vocalist you should listen to is Eva Cassidy. I recommend "People Get Ready" as an Eva Cassidy Tour de force. As a vocal coach, if you've never heard her....on my, what a treat it would be for you. Eva, unfortunately, passed WAY before her time. But we do have the recordings of her that, IMO, cement her legacy as one of the best female vocalists ever.
The Trinity sessions was everyone's sound track for most of a year. The record version was a lot more acoustic and vocal forward.
That is anything but country Beth. Blue Guitar is just quite awesome.
Saw them completely by chance back in the mid 90s after another gig was cancelled in Pgh and they were amazing especially Margo
Great reaction again ... its always fun listening to you analyze the vocals. One of my favorites from the Cowboy Junkies is "The Wedding Song"
Came across the Cowboy Junkies through a girlfriend, whose best friend in Melbourne worked in the arts and had put her together a mix ‘tape’ of music - on which was this song!
For another product of the Canadian bar scene, see the amazing guitarist Jeff Healey's "See The Light" on the American TV show Night Music in 1988.
This version of this song reminds me of the day my Son was born and the first time I held him.
My go-to band in the 90s. Saw/heard them perform several times.
Thick, rich, sweet, and creamy like fine Canadian maple syrup.
Great cover by a great band! You should definitely check out their cover of Neil Young's Powderfinger absolutely great.
Their covers of helpless and don't let it bring you down are killer as well.
Also Thunder Road is fantastic!
At the ten minute mark, when you were speaking to her understated style which left her so much room to go further, I thought of Sade.
Being familiar with the various versions of The Velvet Underground's (Lou Reed) original piece in from their 1970 album 'Loaded', I must say this version here is quite different. The song itself lends itself easily to the different takes that it has been recorded in, all have their positive quality's. Reed's delivery style (talkspeak) with this song is not unlike much of the Underground's work, and the Junkies similar lyric delivery by Margo Timmins. Reed's iconic live version without the Underground, off his '73 double album "Rock n' Roll Animal', instrumentally takes this otherwise laid back ballad to a different level, but the original as well this version, stay in the context of what the song will always be going forward.
I first heard this on the movie "Natural Born Killers". It was perfect for the scene.
as a canadian who was 21 when they really hit the scene i take (humorously) exception to categorizing them as a Country band. they were just a damn good band if you liked solid earthy warm vocals. why pigeon hole them
Hi Beth, nice review! I'd like to siggest you a classic: Elis & Tom, Aguas de Março. There is an amazing live video made during the recording session, Im sure you will like it. Take care.
Thank you for this.
All the best with the album Beth❤🍻👍🏴☠️🍻👍
Consider the original song by the band was released in 1988 and over time and with age not everyones vocals can still cope with the high/low pitches. Loved Margos vocals on the original recording and still watch the video.
Lou Reed was the man! Legendary!
Love cowboy junkies, good choice.
Beth, Beth...you praised the musicianship of all the players...but you didn't give the drummer no love!!
I love their version of this song. Another song that gets me is "Misguided Angel."
One of my favourite folk rock/Canadiana bands! Grew up through my teenage years in the late 80s/early 90s listening to Cowboy Junkies, Blue Rodeo, and The Tragically Hip; was so spoiled for great music from those bands and many others during that era. And I agree with others that while this particular live version of this song cover is good, I’ll always prefer the studio/Trinity Session versions more.
i bought Trinity Sessions when it came out, and it didn't leave my cassette player for years. This live version is fine, but you really need to listen to the album version. it's perfection. the whole album is incredible.
My ex wife has one hell of a voice. Her harmonies are warm and beautiful, she can do it all. Unfortunately stage fright got the better of her. Such a shame. It was a huge pleasure listening to her sing around the house and when she was playing her guitar. Goose bumps.
Love this reaction so educational. I just love them
My nieces daughter is named Jane. So I love this song. It's perfect.
Everytime I caught the video for Sweet Jane on Much I had to stop and watch it. Still love the Cowboy Junkies version, not sure I've heard any other.
The more you listen to this version the more you hear.
Beth be grooving, dancing in her chair and putting on the stank face!
Speaking of great Canadian vocalists, Matt Anderson and the Big Bottle of Joy (can I tell you what's on my mind). You will not be disappointed