The Trinity Session

If you ever wondered what it would be like if David Lynch was the musical director for in-store playlists at Whole Foods, look no further.

I'm fighting for my life, man. This is the third extremely slow folk album I've had in a row. Begging on my knees for the generator to bless me with anything exciting. I will not waste my finger joints on a deep analysis of "The Trinity Session" by a band named Cowboy Junkies. Here's an image of a fucked up eagle instead: https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/002/454/854/8f9.jpg

I have always loved the Sweet Jane cover but had never listened to this entire album until now. I am blown away at how ethereal and gorgeous it truly is from start to finish. First time voting an album I've never heard prior a 5....just fantastic.

I feel like reviews will be negative or at least mixed here. This album is definitely not everyone’s thing. It’s quiet, it’s slow, I’d understand if someone called it boring. It has country and blues, but also an element of slowcore that makes it different from other country. This album was recorded in 1988, which predates slowcore by a couple years at least, making this a very unique sound for the time, if not just in general. An album like this is all about time and place. I had it playing late last night as I was staring at the sky, thinking. Perfect for that. If I had played it during the day, wanting something more upbeat, my reception would be different. The soft vocals here are hauntingly beautiful. The mix of covers and originals are kinda cool. The lore surrounding the album is cool. The genre mixing is cool. I’ve been into slowcore recently, so this fitting somewhere into the puzzle of its origin is pretty cool. Put all of that together and I think this album is cool. You could say it lacked real defining moments and that’s fair. But I think albums like this are more about creating an overall vibe and less about making those album defining, standout tracks. I don’t think any of these tracks have a particularly catchy melody so no MMM Favorites: sweet Jane, misguided angel, I don’t get it

I wasn’t expecting to like this as much as I did. I’ve never really liked much country released after the 50’s to 60’s and maybe 70’s, but this is great. The mellow vocals and soft, smooth instrumentation just set such a mood. Actually, the vocals are the best part of it; country vocals are one of my main dislikes of the genre (modern country, not old country), but these don’t feel like that at all. I’ll end the review by saying how good the backstory is: there’s just something inherently funny with claiming you’re a family band to get into a place. (Thinking about it, that makes it sound like it’s common).

Very melodic, smooth, and chill album. Lead singer has a sometimes haunting, but always emotive voice. Great music for a chill evening.

I already had their cover of Sweet Jane marked as a favorite and was pleasantly surprised by the rest of the album. I've heard the band name many times before, but I never dove in until now. It's very David Lynch-esque with its dramatically slow & mellow vocals & vibes. It's the type of bluesy country you'd find in Twin Peaks. I dig it & will definitely listen again.

Unless there is some obscure live album recorded at the Music Hall, this would be the album on the 1001 that was recorded closest to where I live (5 1/2 kms).  I remember seeing Cowboy Junkies at Ontario Place's spinning stage. After standing for the first song, Margo sat on her stool just as some bozo in the audience yelled out: "Play some Zeppelin". Margo responded "Yes I always sit down to play heavy metal"  I always thought that CJ's were the first to do the slow version of Sweet Jane but wiki informed that Lou did that version live in 1969. Lou said CJ's version was his favourite version of the song. Their version of the standard Blue Moon is breathtaking with Margot's voice stealing the show. The additional lyrics they added transformed the song from a happy song about meeting your soulmate to a song about losing your soulmate. I prefer the song as a happy song but hey when you sing and play as well as they do, you have earned your creative license.  Misguided Angel is the best original song on the album and I guess it's a happy song although not obviously. 200 More Miles is beautiful musically and lyrically. The others are good musically and Margot's voice is amazing throughout but I find they are lacking lyrically. 

The fact that this was recorded in a church around a single mic is automatically 2 extra stars. That means so much to me. I know this used to be the norm, but it just feels like ancient magic in these days of engineers fine tuning data in a computer interface. Feels like their intention was to put as few layers as possible between me listening right now and them playing back then. Maybe I can't be in the room but I've got my ear to the crack in the door. This one is transportive to me. I wish I had better speakers.

Some really good songs. Very much enjoyed the album, I've even added Misguided Angel and Walking After Midnight to one of my playlists.

I think this is the best live album ever recorded. Margo Timmins has never sounded better.

Haunting, beautiful, intimate

9/10 such a lovely album very diverse, and yet it never feels overwhelming

Actually fantastic. If country was actually like this most the time, I would love it.

Why’s everyone gotta be so snobby all the time?

Soft yet powerful.

Nice chance to catch up and revisit an Canadian classic. This album was huge in its day. Several songs on here got a lot of radio play.

At their best they sound like they could be the house band at the Roadhouse in Twin Peaks. Simply amazing the way it was recorded with one mic and no overdubs. The natural reverb and atmosphere that was captured is gorgeous. The songs I like best are the ones where it's just the core group members and no additional guest musicians. Austere and haunting.

Si vous adorez les albums country mélancoliques composés de murmures plaintifs et d'une note de guitare à la minute, je suis même pas sûr de vous recommander cet album

This was an awesome companion while taking a long walk on the first hit, sunny day of the spring in North Dakota. Super laid back, with beautiful vocals and an excellent band. I will return to this album for a relaxing setting, and put some songs on a relaxing playlist.

A record that has meant so much personally (old girlfriends, college radio interviews), but, more importantly, has held up musically. It's dead haunting and note perfect, elegant and serious, well conceived and executed flawlessly. The production shows that maybe you don't need Rick Rubin after all – good mics in an old cathedral do the trick much more cost-effectively. It helps to have a vocalist with an angelic voice – if angelic voices are indeed rich and warm, melancholy-inflected and sexy as hell –  who never oversings and knows how to tell a story. Neither does the band try too hard. The songs are effectively structured and well sequenced to sustain the mood of refined country blues. The cover choices are inspired. "Sweet Jane" is fine, but the Hank WIlliams, Waylon Jennings, Patsy Cline and Rogers/Hart are ghostly in their evocations – so true to the spirit of the songs that one could imagine their souls applauding these sterling interpretations, wihich are homages more than covers. Of the originals, "Misguided Angel" is a one-take miracle. "200 More Miles" and "To Love Is To Bury" are first-rate, too. Don't sleep on The Caution Horses, which is nearly as good and fully worthy of inclusion on this list.

408 albums in. This is the first time I've given 5 stars to an artist I've never heard of before. Very enjoyable.

Surprising excellent!

What a nice surprise find after rows of shit for weeks!

It’s not only a remarkable album but I think it represents a turn towards a more raw sound that was more widely reflected in Tracy Chapman’s album from the same year, but was surrounded by polished arena rock, hair metal and boy band pop on the top selling albums. It’s one of those things that isn’t directly connected, but it is the fertilizer in the soil that allowed grunge and alternative to the explode a few years later.

Perfectly lovely.

It was cool to hear a sound from the 80s that probably doesn't come to mind right away. People tend to think back to the new wavey or pop stuff, but as a Xenial i remember these sorts of sounds.

Favorite song: Blue Moon Revisited (Song For Elvis) The Trinity Session is going straight to my get-it-on-vinyl list. Great vibes. Love the western feel without being "country". The covers are great too - Elvis would be proud. 5 stars, no notes.

What an intro! That first track was so beautiful, and then it led to the next track and that harmonica! Ugh. I have no idea who this band is but twas very pleasant listen in the morning. Blue moon cover was chef's kiss. wait...is this another album of covers? walking after midnight has always been a favorite but damn this their version is so sexy. I'm a fan. added to my discogs wish list.

Beautiful and nostalgic for me. Can’t believe how long it’s been since I’ve listened to this album and now I need to add it to my vinyl collection

Great stuff

Great band, classic album.

Exactly what I needed! Minor aggravations were alleviated and the day became peaceful and enjoyable because of Cowboy Junkies’ ambience.

Really enjoyed this record. I’ll have to check out he revisited version sometime.

That's what I call music. Solid blues from a country band.

I only knew the song from Natural Born Killers before, but wow this album blew me away

My affection for this album is high. I don't know if there's anything objective shot my rating. I love it for too many reasons.

Mmmm

Well known to me 🙂. Brilliantly recorded album.

Surprisingly nice. The voice of the singer, the music. Very good.

Well thought it was a bit naff on first listen but with the second one fell in love with it - subtle, moody, sparse - with the crowning jewel of the Sweet Jane cover. Lovely album.

Oh, what a treat! Alt-country but make it dream poppy and slowcorey! 😍 I definitely thought of Twin Peaks when listening to this, and I see quite a few other reviewers making the same connection. I think I had these folks mixed up with someone else in my head because I was expecting something more celtic punk? 😆 I'll definitely be revisiting this, and checking out more of their discography. Fave tracks - "Mining for Gold" is an excellent opener. "Blue Moon Revisited (Song for Elvis)" and "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" are both achingly beautiful. Their version of "Sweet Jane" was the only track I was already familiar with, I think, and it turns out I have 5 copies of it on various compilations and soundtracks, heh...

I honestly loved this. The arrangements were sparse and haunting but it was beautiful in its own way. I have to assume they were heavily inspired by Nebraska because I hear a lot of similarities in the music here.

Lord have mercy this was good!

Holy shit this was different than I was expecting and a real treat. Very calming!

This was awesome. Listened through twice. Favorites were: Blue Moon Revisited, I Don't Get It, Sweet Jane, Walking After Midnight

Laid back indie country/folk, really good but I am also a sucker for good song covers. I like the singers laid back delivery.

One of the few albums I will totally forgive for being incredibly cover heavy, The Trinity Session was a game changer for me. A true masterpiece and contender for greatest debut album of all time, the fact that this trend defying gem was released at the height of the hair metal craze gives it legit punk credentials. And Margot has the voice of an angel. Unquestionably a 5.

I feel like a cowboy from a western when I listen to this. Where is my horse? 5/5

What a fantastic surprise to find this here. This is such a perfect, dreamy album. Love it, love it, love it!

This is one of my favorite albums ever, it's just so hauntingly beautiful and if you close your eyes it's as if the band is right in the room with you or maybe you're in the church while the recording sessions are taking place. Either way it's one of the most intimate recordings I've ever heard. On a more personal level, The Trinity Session was a gateway drug into country music for me, not the only one of course but it played a large part in broadening my musical horizons in that direction.

I was obsessed with this album in college, especially the song I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry and Sweet Jane. Now I find it a tad too morose for my taste - different life stages I suppose. But I recognize the bluesy/jazzy genius of the album.

This is one of my favorites. I have seen them several times over the years including their trinity session tour.

5 stars, should still be on the list.

WOW. Just wow. beautiful haunting singing and guitar work. Torch singing of the highest order. Sweet Jane brought back memories.

Yeah, I can fuck with this. I’ve been on a kick of watching slow burn movies recently, and this felt like the musical equivalent, perhaps even better because The Trinity Sessions was all burn baby, no resolution at all. It’s like the taking the longest ever drag of a post-coital cigarette

4.5/5

blue moon revisited klingt wie mitski very pretty made me very sad 5 punkte weil überraschend!

i didn't think i liked country

Hot take: the Cowboy Junkies are the North American acoustic version of Portishead. I had a buddy in college - hard-edged art major punk - who would play this album nonstop and fight people who didn’t like the Cowboy Junkies. Me? I could sink into euphoric stillness listening to Margo Timmins’ voice. I’m very happy that this album is on this list.

So melancholy. I love it.

I love this record

Oh fuck yeah! What a great album! I love the sadness of the album. It's a perfect soundtrack to a rainy day. Just like today happens to be. I love it front it to back. I've listened to this multiple times. 5 Stars!

Yes, please! Love the spare and hypnotic sound of this album. My personal fave track is "Dreaming My Dreams With You" but everything here is gold.

God, this album felt timeless. Truly, if you asked me to guess what decade this album came from, I wouldn’t be able to. Simple lyrics sung by a beautiful voice , with comforting music to accompany it. I listened to it twice, and will likely listen to it again.

Great version of 'Sweet Jane' and another interesting take on 'Blue Moon'. I played this on repeat all day and never got bored. Soft, dreamy female vocals over a sort-of modern country-type backing. Loved it.

Brilliant. Standouts: Sweet Jane, Blue Moon Revisited, I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry, I Don't Get it, Walking After Midnight. 4.5

I love in this project when you get something just so wonderful that you've ignored for 35 years even though it wasn't like you didn't hear of them and didn't have their wonderful version of "Sweet Jane" floating around all that time. You mean we could have been friends all this time?

It’s a beautiful album with special sentiments for me.

With its sparse instrumentation and sultry vocals, this is a stunner from the first notes.

I must’ve heard this somewhere along the way but when I listened I was surprised at how this sounded. They have a beautiful, ethereal take on country with some really nice covers. Fantastic!

My intro to the Junkies and still one of the best. Thanks Jess!

have always loved this album, all time best

The only Cowboys Junkies album that I know. It does not rock but here it does not matter. Atmosphere is perfect (weren't the songs recorded in a church or so) Timeless classic.

Holy shit.

5? 5.

YESSSSSSS mining for gold- shaft. sorry. she has a beautiful voice. um idk 6 misguided angel- harmonica. smile. 6. um i dont have a lot to say it makes me think of red dead. blue moon revisited- im already swaying and shit. 7. i dont get it- they live up to the cowboy part. 5 or 6 i got sleepy im so lonesome i could cry- its nice but can hold my attention. you need to be in a mood for this album. 5 or 6 to love is to bury- 7. its sweet 200 more miles- kinda boring. 5 dreaming my dreams with you- sunday type shit. 6 or 7 working on a building- me in my minecraft. god told her to build a building? bokay. 5 kinda boring sweet jane- YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS 10. i dont need to explain. HEAVENLY WINE AND ROSES SEEM TO WHISPER TO ME WHEN YOU SMILE postcard blues- idk like um its cool i dont know im just tired man 5. ill listen to it again later to see if i like it OW OW SUDDEN CHEST AND STOMACH PAIN I SHOULDNTVE SAID IT WAS ONLY 5 walking after midnight- harmonica. more swinging. 7 or 8. ummmm idk its a good album you just need to be in a certain mood or have just shot up. um yeah.

A very bluesy, atmosphere-setting album. I really enjoyed the from start to finish.

That voice...so ethereal....like it's floating above the room. This album was very cool and one that I'd never heard all the way through before. Loved it and will listen again and again. right now actually.

Ready to listen again

surprised by how much i enjoyed this!

I didn't know much about the Cowboy Junkies before this. They are Canadian - which is a great start. The first track of this album is a beautiful solo acapella by Margo Timmins. This album is right up my alley. Soulful, country/folk music with subtle harmonies.

Timeless beauty

18 year old me knew enough that I was supposed to like this. I’d play Sweet Jane on my college radio station. Or Walking After Midnight. But in all honesty.. as the song said (different tense).. I didn’t get it. 53 year old me gets it. This is really, really good and I’m glad I was reintroduced to it. It’s added to my library and will be listening to it much more.

This was excellent. Atmospheric, kind of distant sounding. Like you were listening to it from the next room, but in a cool way. The originals and the covers blend into each other.

I used to listen to this to go to sleep for years when I was younger. Never not a 5 star!

That was wholly unexpected, and entirely spellbinding and magnificent. One of this music journey's treasures.

Woah I think this is the first time I've ever been seduced by an album, mamma mia. This thing exudes sex appeal in all the right ways.

I’ve never heard of Cowboy Junkies before, but I’d say it’s reasonable to assume a degree of psychedelia. The album art doesn’t give much in terms of what to expect. A quick Google says this was all recorded in a church with all the members stood around one microphone. That’s pretty interesting. Songs I already knew: none Favourites: Blue Moon Revisited, Sweet Jane I’d say that this album could be considered country/folk. I never thought I’d find myself loving an album with country vibes, but this was quite wonderful. The vocals sound genuinely angelic. Considering all of the instruments are supposedly recorded at once around one microphone, it sounds incredible. Perhaps it’s because I’ve been reading a lot about druids, but this felt quite bardic. I loved this.

Get album, ja lyssna de 3 gånger, utrop kopojke musik

L'oracle disait vrai

la voix de la chanteuse c’est un 12/5

Bluesy? Folksy? I really enjoyed this album and loved their sound and the vocalist. It just fit my mood pretty well today and I think I'll look up more of their recordings, especially the 20th Anniversary recording of this Trinity Session album. Definitely a good 4 star album for me.

This album surprised me. Opening the album with an acapella solo is a bold move. It sets the right tone, though. It pulled me in. The rest of the album is a great mix of laid-back blues, country or americana. I quite enjoyed it. 4 stars.

some nice sad storytelling country/folk music, love me a sorrowful sounding harmonica. Honestly I couldnt help but think of the Red Dead Redemption soundtracks listening through this, so it sat very well with me. My only gripe is that it keeps the low energy throughout, you wouldnt make a rock album with only ballads!

A low key country and western album. Maybe too low key at times. I got a little drowsy listening to this one despite enjoying it. That cover of Sweet Jane is great though!

Nice music for a gloomy day. Her voice is killer and the instrumentation is spot on. Love the 'Sweet Jane' and 'Blue Moon' covers.

Today, in not judging an album by the cover (or band name), I was expecting a country record, but this turned out to be closer to blues or folk, with an interesting mix of styles and influences. Save for the first track, the whole album was recorded in one day with no overdubs, using a single microphone set up in a church which lends a unique ambience and live feel to the recording. The highlights are a riff on Blue Moon by Elvis and a cover of Sweet Jane by the Velvet Underground, with vocals from lead singer Margo Timmins being spine tingling throughout.

Despite living in Toronto for years, immersing myself in Canadian music and even becoming a Canadian citizen, somehow the Cowboy Junkies have only fallen within my radar today. What a classy & warm recording full of beautiful songs. I loved Blue Moon Revisited; admittedly the album swung too heavily on the woeful side a few times (I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry, Postcard Blues), but altogether worthy of a solid 4.

Beautiful voice, very slow though. Have to be in the right mood for this album