Fri Apr 21 2023
3
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.
This is a Random Album Generator.
One album a day.
From the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
The Trinity Session
Cowboy Junkies
1988
- Album Summary
The Trinity Session is the second studio album by Canadian alternative country band Cowboy Junkies, released in early 1988 by Latent Recordings in Canada, and re-released worldwide later in the year on RCA Records. "Working on a Building" and "Blue Moon Revisited (Song for Elvis)" did not appear on the Latent Records release. "Blue Moon Revisited" was originally released on It Came from Canada, Vol. 4 (1988), a compilation of Canadian independent bands. The music was recorded inside Toronto's Church of the Holy Trinity on November 27, 1987, with the band circled around a single microphone. The album includes a mixture of original material by the band and covers of classic folk, rock and country songs. Notable among the songs is the band's most famous single, a cover of the Velvet Underground's "Sweet Jane", based on the version found on 1969: The Velvet Underground Live (1974) rather than the later studio version from Loaded (1970). Also included is "Blue Moon Revisited (Song for Elvis)", which is both a cover and an original, combining a new song by the band with the pop standard "Blue Moon". In 2007, the album was performed live in its entirety as part of the All Tomorrow's Parties' Don't Look Back series. Also that year, the band returned to the Church of the Holy Trinity to record a new version of the Trinity Session with guest musicians Natalie Merchant, Vic Chesnutt and Ryan Adams. This new set of recordings was released as Trinity Revisited to commemorate the 20th anniversary of The Trinity Session.
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Sun May 07 2023
3
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
Fri Jul 28 2023
5
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.
Wed May 17 2023
5
la voix de la chanteuse c’est un 12/5
Wed May 17 2023
5
L'oracle disait vrai
Fri May 19 2023
5
Actually fantastic. If country was actually like this most the time, I would love it.
Wed May 31 2023
5
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).
Mon Jun 19 2023
5
9/10 such a lovely album very diverse, and yet it never feels overwhelming
Sun Jun 25 2023
5
Haunting, beautiful, intimate
Thu Jun 29 2023
5
Get album, ja lyssna de 3 gånger, utrop kopojke musik
Wed Aug 02 2023
5
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.
Sun Aug 13 2023
5
I think this is the best live album ever recorded. Margo Timmins has never sounded better.
Mon Sep 11 2023
5
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.
Wed Sep 20 2023
5
Some really good songs. Very much enjoyed the album, I've even added Misguided Angel and Walking After Midnight to one of my playlists.
Thu Sep 21 2023
5
That was wholly unexpected, and entirely spellbinding and magnificent. One of this music journey's treasures.
Mon Apr 24 2023
4
ok
Tue Apr 25 2023
4
4.0
Wed Apr 26 2023
4
Sparse, ethereal, magical, surprisingly wonderful. The story of the recording is also really cool.
Fri May 05 2023
4
Disco tranquilo y reposado con una excelente voz suave. Con pocos instrumentos y canciones relajadas
Fri May 05 2023
4
This is a good one. Has the feel of being in some backwoods bar with a low-key local band playing as you slowly drink yourself into a blackout. And of course it's like the grandaddy of slowcore, so there's no way I wouldn't like it. Gotta be in the right mood for it I think, but it fuckin' hits if you're there.
Tue May 09 2023
4
I really enjoyed this. Recording session story was cool.
Thu May 11 2023
4
This album has great blues undertones
Wed May 17 2023
4
Nice albom
Wed May 17 2023
4
Nice
Wed May 17 2023
4
Really good! Loved the vocals.
Wed May 17 2023
4
I know the band name, not the music. And glad I discovered it, thanks! Not life-changing, but lovely, haunting music. But does any track stand out? Nope.
Fri May 26 2023
4
Ooh coole ontdekking
Sun May 28 2023
4
This album is spacious. The sound is subdued in a very intentional way to a very ethereal effect. It sounds as if I’m listening to this music in a smoky room in a memory that is not my own. This album was recorded in a church so that accounts for the echoey atmospheric sound, but the band itself had a classic country touch that feels updated and timeless all at once.
Mon May 29 2023
4
Perfect mood setter moving into the Memorial Day weekend. Plaintive vocals and just enough instrumental to make a very easy to listen to set.
Wed May 31 2023
4
Perfectly grim Sunday music.
Thu Jun 08 2023
4
This is the kind of country I can fuck with. Her vocals are GORGEOUS and the minimal, chill instrumentation fits them perfectly, allowing them to breathe but still maintaining interest.
Thu Jun 08 2023
4
Was not expecting to like this at all based on the title and the first notes; was blown away by the end by how much I appreciated the blues here. Not an everyday listen still.
Tue Jun 27 2023
4
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.
Wed Jun 28 2023
4
Felt more country and progressively got a more blues feel. Steel lap guitar and harmonica solos were my highlight
Thu Jun 29 2023
4
I guess I thought of this band as more of a country band than they seemed to be on this album. The songs were a lot more torch song-y, which I enjoyed. The songs have that spur of the moment feel, which I liked. I enjoyed the performances, but they did start to sound very same-y after awhile. I was surprised because I really thought of the band as being something different than it was, and I'm going to have to check out more of their stuff...
Thu Jun 29 2023
4
Som gjort för dygnets tysta timmar!
Thu Jun 29 2023
4
Yeehaw… 🕊️
Fri Jun 30 2023
4
Great country album with covers that delight. I loved the vocals and laid back vibe.
Mon Jul 17 2023
4
Alternative country,country rockfolk, blues. Casi todas, voz mujer superbonita.
Fri Jul 21 2023
4
J'ai vraiment aimé. un album country qui se démarque avec de bon cover et une chanteuse qui vole le show parfois. Une réécoute pour un album tranquille qui s'écoute bien et mais un ambiance calme. 4.10
Sat Jul 29 2023
4
I just wanted to point how much of a coincidence it is that I listened and reviewed this while in the Toronto airport for a layover. An early example of slowcore, this record consists of dreamy covers and re-interpretations of classic folk, blues, rock, and country tracks. A bit on the long side, it's full of some great jammy songs. "Blue Moon" is one of my favorite Elvis songs (due to his haunting voice) and this is a fantastic follow-up to it. It starts and ends with strong pop / rock tracks with the middle feeling like a lucid dream.
Sun Jul 30 2023
4
First time hearing this. I have heard of the band before but was unfamiliar with their music. This album is quiet, reserved and amazing. Standouts: Sweet Jane, Misguided Angle, Blue Moon Revisited, I'm So Lonely I Could Cry, Walking After Midnight. Others: I Don't Get it. Mining for Gold, Postcard Blues. Amazing album. I can't believe I've never heard it before. 4/5
Fri Aug 11 2023
4
me gustó. La mezcla de covers y canciones originales, más la atmósfera y la instrumentalización lo convierten en un disco de "onda": hay que estar en la misma para sentir la vibración
Sat Aug 12 2023
4
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.
Sat Aug 12 2023
4
On the surface this is underwhelming, but as I listened more and learned more about it - recorded on one microphone, in a single day (more or less) - it started to grow on me. There is something captivating and calming about the minimalism.
Thu Aug 24 2023
4
Quite a charming record, reminds you of quiet nights indoors, perhaps it is raining outside, lights down low, reading a book... This isn't shaking any trees but it is extremely well done and accomplishes what it sets out to do.
Thu Aug 24 2023
4
I did not expect to like this so much. Almost a 5
Sun Sep 03 2023
4
A very lovely 53 minutes of quiet country blues recorded in a church around a single microphone. The record somehow captures that slow, calm, reverent atmosphere. Rating: 4/5 Playlist track: Sweet Jane Date listened: 02/09/23
Mon Sep 04 2023
4
Definitely a unique sound. A little monotonous, but good throughout.
Tue Sep 05 2023
4
I liked this one. Nice and mellow rock.
Fri Sep 08 2023
4
Beautiful, spare country soaked in reverb. Sad and slow (but sometimes sexy), it’s definitely music for a certain mood. Excellent covers of “Blue Moon” and “Sweet Jane.”
Sun Sep 10 2023
4
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.
Sun Sep 10 2023
4
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.
Sun Sep 17 2023
4
Really good album that I somehow have never heard. Come back and re listen later.
Fri Sep 22 2023
4
loved this album, love the band and the lady singing! Sweet 4 stars
Thu Apr 20 2023
3
I can here this in any blues bar in America
Wed Apr 26 2023
3
Non è che sia brutto, ma non è il mio genere
Thu Apr 27 2023
3
26th April 2023 Listened during the day while working from home. Tour of Stroud mat ward and dinner at Cheltenham Turkish place in the evening with West Ham Liverpool later. A surprising, soulful blues country treat. Very smooth and precisely produced and she has a lovely voice. 3.5 if I could.
Tue May 02 2023
3
pretty good, had not heard it much before.
Sun May 07 2023
3
Ambiance on the first song is instantly haunting. This has me yearning for the mines fr. The Sweet Jane cover was cool, they started with my favorite verse of that song so that was neat. This album had a really cool aesthetic, but the songs themselves didn’t do much to stand out outside of that. Cover art: 4/10
Wed May 17 2023
3
Nice
Wed May 17 2023
3
Nice, is if but a bit depressing
Wed May 17 2023
3
it’s only one trick but it’s a good one, their own tunes are thin but they did write Misguided Angel which is pretty fkn solid
Thu May 18 2023
3
The vocals and the music are pleasing. But the overall tone is too sleepy throughout, it never picks up or gives me something to latch onto. I need to rock, I like to groove, I wanna funk shit up. This record meets 0/3 of my essential listening needs. But I do still appreciate the new path they forged with this bizarre country-alt fusion that nobody was asking for at the time.
Fri May 19 2023
3
Pleasant, but not memorable.
Mon May 22 2023
3
When I seen alt country I was expecting much, but enjoyed this a lot more than I expected, really liked their take on the covers of blue moon and sweet Jane. Really good vibe throughout the album, though that same vibe could get lost as background music. Deserves to be on the list.
Thu Jun 01 2023
3
A country album which does things a bit differently, if for a bit too long. Straightlaced female vocals in place of stereotypical male twang was a welcome change to the usual formula, and the instrumentals were executed well. Just wish there had been a tad more variation in the melodies, as I did feel a bit fatigued by the LP once the 50 minutes were up.
Mon Jun 05 2023
3
Wasn’t sure I’d like it at the beginning but warmed up to it Saved tracks: Blue Moon Revisited Soon (Song For Elvis), Working On A Building, Sweet Jane, Walking After Midnight
Mon Jun 12 2023
3
Folk rock, country alternativo. Ni fu ni fa.
Wed Jun 14 2023
3
Another band I've never heard of before. Strong start, the singer has a really nice voice. It got a bit weaker in the end, but I probably give it another go.
Tue Jun 27 2023
3
Based on my history and knowledge, I shouldn't like this album, but I enjoyed it for most songs. Alternative country is far from what I look for in new songs, but the "Cowboy Junkies" will be included in future listening sessions.
Tue Jun 27 2023
3
It's easy enough to compare this to Goldfrapp since they're both fairly laidback and chill. The Cowboy Junkies arrangements and production are less adventurous, which you would expect since they were all sitting around a single microphone in a church. The guitar solos are nice but I could have used a few more. Margot Timmons' vocal range is more limited than Allison Goldfrapp's. The highlights of this album are the covers and I prefer bands whose highlights are original material.
Thu Jun 29 2023
3
You can't grow up in Canada in the 80's and 90's and not know who the Cowboy Junkies are. That said, I was never a fan - not my scene. And that was their more rock country sound of later albums. But to their credit, this is a nice, sultry piece of country jazz. Margo Timmins' voice is perfect for their soft, suppressed style. Still not my scene and it's tough to get me too excited about mostly cover songs. I've heard it now, respect, and time to move on.
Fri Jun 30 2023
3
Given the recording circumstances, kudos for how good this sounds! Musically though i can't give more than 3 stars as pretty much the whole album sounds the same and just drags on a bit
Sat Jul 01 2023
3
There's a certain artistry in the restraint displayed by the singer here, but it needs some contrast. The Sweet Jane cover was a perfect opportunity to get loud and nasty, but it all stayed at an intensity of 2. Best track: Walking After Midnight
Thu Jul 06 2023
3
This is fine if a little boring. I am happy to hear records like this in the 1001, even if this really isn't for me.
Thu Jul 13 2023
3
Om op het gemakje de zaterdagochtend mee te beginnen was dit best fijn. En de feitjes die ik op wikipedia las maken het nog wat boeiender: de hele plaat is in 1 week opgenomen, met de band die live speelde rondom 1 stereo-microfoon, in een kerk. Niet gemixt en geen overdubs. Dat is toch wel behoorlijk indrukwekkend.
Fri Jul 14 2023
3
The lead singer had a very nice voice, but this didn't really do anything for me. Very mellow - easy to fall asleep to.
Tue Jul 18 2023
3
Pretty nice and pleasant. 6/10
Thu Jul 27 2023
3
Un album très bien placé juste après le repas du midi, permettant d'entamer sa sieste dans les meilleures conditions possible.
Thu Jul 27 2023
3
Je soupçonne la chanteuse d'être liée de près ou de loin à Nico et ses portails, je vais mener mon enquête et vous tiendrai informés.
Fri Jul 28 2023
3
Wasn't sure I would take to this, but it's like REM's Country Feedback slowed down. Which it turns out I like. One to drift into, and a whole mood for a dark, rainy Sunday afternoon. As it turns out it's Thursday, but I'm off work sick, and it's dark and rainy, so this gentle album is basically perfect for today. I wasn't that impressed with the patsy Cline cover though, that was a bit dragged out. Not a metric to judge this album but Spotify played a very pleasing mix of stuff after it finished as well. I extremely unsurprised to hear Mazzy Star, of course
Thu Aug 03 2023
3
Very somber slow moving album. First listen has been hard to get through, not due to it being unpleasant, but I find it difficult to focus on the music as i find it uninteresting. Going to give a second listen and re-evaluate.
Sun Aug 06 2023
3
Wikipedia says that the group's music is alternative country/country rock/folk blues and it's none of these and all of these at the same time - it's quite unique. Recorded in a church around a single microphone with no edits, mixing, or overdubs, the sound has a very natural sound, and the vocals from Margo Timmins are ethereal. I liked the album, especially "Blue Moon Revisited (Song for Elvis)". Music to chill to.
Tue Aug 08 2023
3
Folk. Jazz. Agradable aunque un poco aburrido.
Fri Aug 11 2023
3
Really chill and easy listening. Nice vocals
Sat Aug 12 2023
3
Semi-sweet-country-folk. Kinda came and went, not bad but nothing latched on.
Thu Aug 17 2023
3
I felt like I needed to be at a 90s house party in the early hours to fully appreciate this album. Did not dislike.
Fri Aug 18 2023
3
I had entirely the wrong notion of their music and got ready to pan them. Errrr, couldn't have been more wrong. How were they making music like this in 1988 with everything else that was going on around them? Still, it's good to listen to and chill. The level of musicianship is good, as is the production.
Sun Aug 27 2023
3
Always liked it, but grow weary of it quickly.
Sun Sep 03 2023
3
I bought this under some unknown influence maybe 10 years after it came out, listened to it once. On a second listening I remain perplexed by it. In general I prefer the original versions of the cover songs, and the original songs just don't make a deep impression. I don't hate it, but it is all a little vague and whispery.
Tue Sep 05 2023
3
Saw these guys live once. I like it but I don't love it.
Tue Sep 05 2023
3
Better than I thought
Wed Sep 06 2023
3
Too slow
Fri Sep 08 2023
3
Interesting album- got some nice jazz in there, some blues, some country-western. I dug the pedal steel guitars, harmonicas, and that droney country-western bass. The Spotify description for this band called them "quiet, beautiful, reflective" which I think is a fantastic way of painting their sound. I didn't love the album to start but it grew on me. 3/5
Sun Sep 10 2023
3
I'm not big on country, but I enjoyed the Junkies' moody, bluesy take on the genre more than most country acts. Margo Timmins' voice compliments their style, and the pinnacle of that combination is undoubtedly "Sweet Jane," which is absolutely transcendent. We'll call this a 3.5.
Tue Sep 12 2023
3
6/10. Eh, ethereal cowboy music, whatever
Fri Apr 21 2023
2
Honestly, not an album I could really enjoy. Vocals were beautiful and there is some great musicianship, but overall it feel flat. It was much too slow, and not enough variation between songs for such a slow album. Some of the mixing wasn't to my taste, specifically one song where the harmonica came in way to hot with no tamed high end and I had to pull my headphones off due to the shrill sound.
Fri Apr 21 2023
2
Oh god it's a FAMILY BAND! and they're Canadian but sound like they come from deepest Ireland! For almost an hour! This can go in the fucking BIN! 2/5.
Thu Apr 27 2023
2
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