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).

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. 

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

by far the most thoroughly New To Me record of the project so far, having never caught a whiff of either it or the band. obviously its a bit harder 2 write ab stuff i have absolutely no associations with but the things that jump out are (1) i kinda forgot something can be So Beautiful it actually kind of hurts. like wind up a bodily tenseness instead of just releasing it (2) not gonna assume this is the first band to do this, but country and slowcore is one of the most inspired Genre Pairings i can think of...the latter rly lets the former soak and bring out all its dormant feelings of loneliness, melancholy, and peace (3) i need to remember this record when im looking for autumn tunes in a few months. also some incredible bass grooves on this. its just incredible in general ig. maybe my favorite New Discovery of the project so far

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.

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

Pretty chill alt country/jazzy sounds. I enjoyed this quite a bit. As the penultimate album, this was a nice way little album to discover.

Enjoyable, but could have done with a bit more variety. 3.5*

Love me some Cowboy Junkies. Chill AF. That version of Sweet Jane is an exceptional cover. That's an easy four. I'm to chill to say much more.

First listen to these guys, nice.

Synes det er fedt! Meget stille og rolig vokal, meget mellow, lidt af det hele med blues, folk og country. Kan godt lide instrumentering med slide guitar og harmonika. Bliver lidt stille i længden dog, og har svært ved at lytte efter og huske teksterne

The opening track made me unsure of where this was going, bit I liked it. I've heard the band's name before but never listened to them. This is well produced. The musicianship is solid. The vocals used well. I did not care for the slow jam version of I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry. I almost want to give it a 3, because I'm not in the mood for this, but it's hard to complain. Good lullabies or music to stare into a fire to, or both at the same time.

Haunting, sparse arrangements of modern country and classic country tunes. Best Tracks: Blue Moon Revisited (Song for Elvis); I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry; Walking After Midnight

Recorded in a single day, with a single microphone, in Toronto's Church of the Holy Trinity. The opening a capella track Mining for Gold sets the stage with the natural reverberation of the church becoming a focal point for the album's production. What follows is a mix of covers and originals, making great use of space all the while. This feels like an honest, sombre advancement of country music that was on the cusp of being lost of Garth Brooks and his arena tours. Listen to the Hank Williams classic I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry, played low and slow with the feeling of someone too numb to get out of bed anymore, and tell me that's not what Williams intended on writing that song. The Trinity Session is an exceptionally pretty album, encompassing just enough space to be heard, while allowing the sound to carry out it's own journey without being washed out. It's an intentional and delicate position to take but it's one that's effective the more you really listen.

The definition of chill.

Kinda boring tbh lmao. I liked it alright tho she has a gorgeous voice just wished it was shorter

I only knew of Sweet Jane from the Natural Born Killers soundtrack, so what a treat to discover the whole album sounds just as dreamy. Certainly an album that could grow on me. Faves: Sweet Jane, Walking After Midnight.

Very nice vocals and cool western instrumentals.

Spare sounding alt-country. Margot Timmins has a fantastic voice that is the centerpiece of the album.

Mining for Gold is such a great listen. The rest of the album was fine. It was an easy listen, but the classification as rock did not fit as much as I would have expected. It had more of a blues vibe.

Pretty fun stuff here

a very cozy album. would hit on a warm, rainy night. feel iffy about giving it a 4 but it’s just a little too good for 3

Det folk, det langsomt, det god vokal - jeg digger det

7.5/10

A lovely alt country surprise.

If you're in the mood for some mellow, relaxing Country music, this album is the way to go. 3.5/5

Truly a beautiful and haunting record, recorded with the band circled around a single microphone. The sound and atmospheric effect is near perfect for the quiet, slow-burn music of the Junkies. I saw the band live on tour for this record and though it was one of the most boring visual concerts (stage presence?) I've ever been to, the music is interesting and you definitely have to be in the right mood for a mellow evening. Their cover version of Sweet Jane gained them wide spread attention (even from Lou Reed...positively!), but there are other tracks that also deserve a serious listen. My only wish was that is was even a slight bit more upbeat, I know it's they're style and this isn't a "rock" record, but it did make me very drowsy listening to this again.

When I heard this band name, I expected my ears to be assaulted by drunken southern rock. This was the opposite. Thoughtful, lilting alt-rock-country. And what a sound for 1988! I could see this fitting right in ten years later. I kept feeling like the singer was holding back though. I wanted her to belt some of these tunes, but she remained reserved and gentle, perhaps a style choice.

Gorgeous voice. One star off for being Canadian

OK look I saw "Canadian country group" and then "recorded in one night at a church" and braced myself but this was very good!

Was fully expecting to hate this, but I was wrong. The atmosphere across the album is so good and her voice is gorgeous.