The Trinity Session

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

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.

Not my usual temporary but actually enjoyed this

Shitty melatonin

Lord have mercy this was good!

Terribly depressing album. Not your usual country album.

high 3

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.

This was a cool one. I had no clue what to expect going in, but the backstory grabbed me right away. The whole album was recorded in one day, live, with a single mic in a church. You can actually hear the space in the songs, and it gives the whole thing this intimate, ghostly vibe. Their covers of Hank Williams and Lou Reed were unexpected but really well done. They made those songs their own without trying too hard. It’s mellow, slow, and kind of hypnotic. Definitely not something I’d throw on every day, but it’s a beautiful listen when you’re in the right mood

Too consistently slow for my tastes.

Pretty fun stuff here

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

Tough listen

There's a reason why album's need a change of pace

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

Very nice. Calming.

7.5/10

The moody songs work alright. They aren't essential listening but give the impression it would be cool to see the band play them. The blues stuff doesn't work. Letting the guy sing doesn't work. You should not ruin the weirdo vibe by playing bar band songs. It's so tasteless it's surprising anything else came out alright. I rate Establishing A Vibe a little higher than I ought to and am rounding up to 3, with a nagging feeling that I'll regret it the more I hear of the Cowboy Junkies. music: hated. (⌐■_■)

At first I thought this album seems totally non-essential. But then I remembered, not everyone in the world has a lot of exposure to CanCon. So this IS essential, so that non-Canadians can have the experience of listening to it and thinking “Ok, this is a familiar genre, but something is off about it…… oh it’s Canadian that’s the problem here.” It’s just not essential to me, as I’ve been going through this my whole life. The prison of being Canadian.

A lovely alt country surprise.

The right album for people with sleeping problems.

Finished stronger than it started. Definitely need to be in the mood for it, but I can see myself listening to it again. 3.5.

dark and morose -- like Tennessee in the wintertime. This record sounds like it was made in a world that no longer exists. This record is a time capsule.

Sultry singing over jazz-country

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

I might be biased by the absolutely soulless rendition of Walkin' After Midnight but this was a very sleepy album with the only spark of life being contributed by the harmonica player.

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.

A little too slow for me

This was OK and nice and chill, I would probably like it more if I was in a different mood.

I have always loved the Sweet Jane cover but had never listened to this album until now. 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. Albums like this are more about creating an overall vibe and less about making those album defining, standout tracks. Favorites: Sweet Jane, Dreaming My Dreams With You , I Don’t Get It 3⭐️

3/5. These are very beautiful and calming songs, and give very traditional vibes, even the ones that are modern covers for their time. It runs the risk of getting caught in the repetitive cycle of similar sounding songs that are hard to differentiate and although there are times I lost track if it was the same song, it is nice enough to listen to to make up for it. I wouldn't say it is profoundly awesome but it's a good to throw on now and then when you want to relax. Best Song: Blue Moon Revisited, Walkin' After Midnight, Working On A Building

Margo Timmins never wanted to be a singer. She’d grown up surrounded by music from her parents’ record collection, or working as a roadie for her brother Michael’s early bands, or exploring Toronto’s burgeoning punk scene. Years later, she was cajoled into fronting the band by her brother (guitarist Michael Timmins). She didn’t sing in front of the rest of the band for years, performed with her back to the audience, and still suffers stage fright. This is one of many facets which lends the Cowboy Junkies’ debut album, “The Trinity Session”, a haunted, cracked and almost unspeakably intimate air. Recorded live in a church with the band hunched around one microphone, it rarely rises above a whisper. It’s perfect wallowing music, for getting lost in a dream late at night, slowly melting like an ice cube in an old-fashioned. After a quick and mournful a capella intro from Timmins, we swoon our way into “Misguided Angel”, which has all the band tiptoeing into the picture. If you’d told me it were a standard, I’d have believed you: in fact, the band have such a distinct and homogenous delivery that their own originals sit perfectly well alongside such classics as “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” and “Blue Moon” (in the case of the latter, within the same song). “Sweet Jane” is possibly the most surprising cover on here (and the band’s most well known track). A re-interpretation of the Velvet Underground classic, it’s achingly sweet and earnest and just about sells itself alongside all the other tracks here. The band aren’t about showing off their musical chops- there’s little flash here, all atmospherics- although the guitar work in “Dreaming My Dreams With You” leads the whole song, and is lovely. In the final stretch, though, the album unfortunately deteriorates into nothingness. “Postcard Blues” and “Walking After Midnight” are more of the same: maudlin folk and blues which end the album as it began (with a whimper). All in all, I’m glad to have listened to this but the band could have been playing it in some bar or pub and I perhaps wouldn’t have batted an eye. It’s the very definition of unfussed, unhurried music, for better and for worse.

ja mitä hemmettiä on tämä? meaningless drivel.... aaah aaha liikaa ääntä!! liikaa ääntä tässä vuosikymmenessä aaaahhh!! mitä- mitä tämä on... cowboy junkies... kuulostaa äänekkäältä rokkihulivili bändiltä! jahas mitä VITTUA YRITÄT MIKÄ ON TARKOITUS... ONKO TÄMÄ JOKU VITSI VAI?? no kuunnellaas.... kokeillaans sitten kun kerran erilainen.. uniikki kuulemma... voi....... voivoioi... kaunista..... tämähän on kauneutta.... kuin kuiskaus... joka lävistää kaiken muun kaiun...echoes.... Strangers passing in the street, by chance, two separate glances meet, and I am you and what I see is me.. postacrd

This album is really quiet. Like most of the time it's super soft sounding and then you'll get a guitar part that comes in at normal volume. It was really strange to listen to. Fantastic voice on the vocalist, really nice but way too quiet in the mix. But the music just sort of washed over me and I didn't really feel any kind of connection to it at all. Also the whole record is really slow tempo. Like I felt like it was dragging most of the time. I'm not a country fan and this album didn't really do much to change that. I wouldn't call it straight country though, maybe country-folk or country-adult contemporary. Vocals were absolutely the best thing about this album. 2/5

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

Quite pleasant.

This is all very pleasant, and so soothing I fell asleep multiple times while it was playing. I wasn't even tired, but the slow, drawn out melodies and the smooth vocal acts like an hour long lullaby. Each song melts into the next with little variation, there are no highlights nor any lowlights.

I was expecting to like it more than I did. The roots/country influences and the weird almost covers threw me off. Still it's a vibe.

Hazy, stoned, very, very subdued. It's tough to describe, because it's mostly just blues, jazz, with some country flair. I like the idea of the band recording around one mic, but it does show in the final recording with just how quiet everything is. Favorite track: "Blue Moon Revisited"

It's no Joni, but it's decent. I like it. It's not groundbreaking, but weirdly sounds ahead of it's time. Still would have it in the 3 range, but it's nice

Gorgeous voice. One star off for being Canadian

I tried to get into the Cowboy Junkies a few years ago, so I already knew how I felt about them. It's pleasant, inoffensive and well-done. I think the major draw of this album is how it was recorded, around one microphone with no overdubs. Most of all, this album is quiet. Very fucking quiet to the point I had to pump the volume up just to hear the music. It's a headphones-only album for me. What really surprised me is how quiet the album is and then BOOM here comes a harmonica at the highest decibel level possible. A bit disconcerting the first time you hear it. Not a bad album and I had it recommended to me, so I imagine I could see myself recommending it to others. It's just too chill and too torch-songy for me to listen to often. I mean, they are all torch songs and they aren't exactly short torch songs either. Appreciate it, don't love it.

not very funny is it mjau

Pretty good but not my style. I love the sound of the recording.

This was almost entirely amazing, but that is the worst version of i'm so lonesome i could cry i've ever heard. it was so grating for reasons i can't pin down. star deducted for that alone.

I did not love the country vibe, even if the lead singer did have a nice voice.

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

Blue Moon is great. Definitely music for a dystopian future western bar.

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

More my tempo

I do enjoy finding artists that are new to me that I was unaware of before. This was an enjoyable listen.

This was so disappointing/ I think I thought it was going to be ethereal, idk like The Cocteau Twins maybe. Instead it is just dull, and it all sounds the same. No eemotion, no passion, it was giving absolutely. And the cover versions are awful. Nearly gave it a 1 and didn’t make it through the second listen

One of the dullest records on the list. The best song was a cover of a great song and they even managed to make that dull. Shite.

Quite enjoyed the first song or two, the singer has a nice enough voice. As it continued it blended into one, the music never loud or interesting enough to pull focus from the singer to the point it started to sound like hotel lounge music. I played this on a bus and I could hear the background noise more clearly than the music, which is partly my fault for listening to it there but I think shoes it needs to at least increase the volume slightly every now and then.

Really, really dreary. I didn't enjoy the vocals at all, and this is one of the most forgettable albums on the list.

Not what I was expecting at all. The name suggested a more rocky sound to me. I quite enjoyed it though. Not biased by the blue moon song at all..... It's very slow and haunting though so not the most interesting thing but not bad at all

Pretty good folk/country rock album. Can be a bit slow and chill but nice to hear when you're in the mood for it

Day230 - not at all what i thought cowboy junkies would sound like. interesting and different the sweet jane cover was good

This album is kind of like an aural coma. I can understand wanting to create a cohesive feel for an album but man, the consistent atmospheric, melancholy, low-key vibe for EVERY SINGLE SONG becomes a real drag and is really boring after a while. I hated the Hank Williams and Patsy Cline covers. Sweet Jane is easily the best song on the album. The mellow vibe and the singer's voice suited the song very well. It wasn't horrible overall and it was well executed for what it is but I have no desire to hear it again.

2.5

Good chill music. Kinda dull so I can't rate it too highly, but good for what it is. 3.2

Enjoyable, and I am glad I listened.

It’s a mellow, easy listen. Very close to a 5. The sound is stripped back, the vocals are gentle, pulling you in close. It’s the kind of music that feels like a quiet conversation late at night. Simple.

The "Sweet Jane" cover is the absolute shit, the rest doesn't quite match up to it but it's not that bad either.

Smooth listening. Pleasant to my ears without being anything I love extra special. 3.5

Really liked this. Slow enjoyable music. Added several other albums from the same band to my favorites for future listening.

The Trinity Session is okay but it tries to be intimate and low-key without doing enough to properly invite you in and make you feel, so it just comes across as pretty boring for the most part. If you're going to strip it back and expose yourselves you need to have a singular trait rip through the shrouded darkness, be it angst, passion, pain, seduction, sarcasm, anything, and this lacks it, she has a nice voice but they try to sell it as ethereal and it sort of just meanders along and doesn't get anywhere that interests me, so it's a high 2.

This was pleasant, quite dreamy and melancholy, not captivating enough to get a really high score but a reasonably comfortable 3, I think. Not quite my jam, but it's not bad.

not enough of... anything

First listen. Pretty good.

Intimate, tender, warm and wise

This is a very smokey album. The album has very strong character which helps me get immersed in the slow progression of each song, but it does mean I struggle to differentiate individual songs. Standout Track: I Don't Get It

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

just okay 3/5

There’s a song on here called “I don’t get it” and I think that sums it up. Lynn called it “twangy Portishead.”

Just not my sound

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.

This is boring!

They're very talented. Vocalist has a great voice. Slow ass Americana isn't exactly my style (I always enjoy it better in the live format) but this is pretty good - I just wouldn't listen to it on my own.

meh

sounds like an Enya alternate project. It's quite enjoyable although I don't know about the hearing before dying part.

Sweet Jane is class

By every metric this is something that i should not like, but it went by at a lovely clip. Gentle and relaxing.

2+

I very rarely listen to slowcore music. The closest I get is with Duster, or some post-rock stuff, like Godspeed You! Black Emperor. But often the slowest parts are just build up that lead to some very explosive moments. But music that is purely slowcore is not at all my forte. I was still intrigued by the idea of this combined with 80s alt-country though. Folk does often go hand in hand with slowcore music. If anyone decides to give this album a listen themselves, fair warning that if the first song does not interest you, the rest of the album won’t either. What you hear there is what you get in its entirety. It changes very little, if at all. To some, this consistency might be appealing, especially if they are into this sound. But I can understand why many others would be positively bored to death by this. There is very little to really latch onto. It’s probably one of the weariest and most depressing sounding albums I’ve ever heard. By all means, it’s pretty simple once you break it down. Just imagine any 90s indie rock/country album, but slower. This listen really just reaffirms my original thoughts. This isn’t much of my thing. I think the lead singer’s voice is lovely. And it’s clearly made by a group of very competent musicians. Although that harmonica is even more ear piercing and intrusive on the rest of the music than Bob Dylan’s. Didn’t think that was possible. I find it funny their name is Cowboy Junkies. Totally sounds like it would be some kick ass punk band. And it’s about as far away from that as you can get. This also feels like hippie indie nerd music. Reminds me of what I’d hear my English teacher playing in class. That’s not necessarily a good thing either. This is music suited for a very specific kind of person. That which I am not. Rating: 5/10

Just kinda meh overall. Enjoyed I Don’t Get It, and that’s probably what bumps this up to a 3, but honestly could take it or leave it

I really enjoyed the change up! Good vibes and I like her voice. Don’t think I can give it higher to a three because it was all a little too similar but had a good time

Felt similarly to this album as the last one, except this didn’t have a standout song to me. 2 stars based on that.

Absolutely pleasantly surprised by this album. Little bit of blues, folk, and soft rock all mixed into one. Peaceful and soothing throughout, so really there aren’t many complaints. I’d give it a nine out of ten but here I’m rounding down.

Not bad. I can cross Canadian Alternative Country off the list now. I had a decent time listening to this album, but I probably won't be coming back.

I'm sorry, I can't do anymore of these slow folk albums. There's nothing I can say about it, except that it's slow and boring. Enough please 😭😭😭

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

Very slow and cozy tunes. I found it to be a pleasant experience.

I wanted to like it more but it just never picked up for me. I enjoyed the more bluesy songs and the covers especially sweet Jane!

Beautiful voice and I liked the songs But it was just a bit too slow for me. A few upbeat songs in there and the album would have been much higher 3 ⭐️

Really enjoyed the jazz/rock feel

Not my absolute favorite, but I do like this one and I really appreciate the production style. Really like the Sweet Jane cover. 3.6+

Impressively performed! I love music that moves at a snail's pace, and I'm really surprised Yo La Tengo doesn't list Cowboy Junkies, a band I probably would never have listened to apart from this generator due to the name, as a prime influence.

Dreamy. Good late night chill listening.

Mega country, not for me

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

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

could i write poetry to this? n

It's a bit like a countryfied Low. Twangy slow core and quite decent.

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

Surprising I listened all the way through, it was easy enough background,.. although tuning in it really was not my thing. The singer did my head in, the covers were off beat.

I dunno what I expected but this mellowness wasn't it

It’s the sound of this album that really hits you. Literally recorded around one microphone. Sounds so warm, that does a lot of the hard work. A really nice listen and one I’d happily put on again. Good to chill out to if you’re feeling on edge.

Great instrumentalists! I'd give them 5 stars if the vocalist didn't sing every damned song the same.

Mjög kósí og næs.

Such a low key album. Solid for what it is. 2.5/5

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.

My parents love Cowboy Junkies so I'm not going to hate on it too much. The songs are very pretty and pleasant and the vocals quite angelic. 5/10

Wouldnt listen again, but its alright

In my opinion, this album is best described as beautiful melancholy. It's not something you'd listen to to get excited, but is more contemplative. Also, I love it when bands cover songs. Here, some of the covers worked really well, but I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry misses the same emotion the original has. Best Songs: Blue Moon Revisited, I Don't Get It, Sweet Jane Worst Songs: I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry, To Love is to Bury

Bien

I hoped for a lot more from this album. Unfortunately, I was left disappointed. If you want something to put you to sleep, then this is the album for you

Nothing really special to my ears

Totally new to me. Wonderful!

Doses, just in doses. Really good

I've heard of Cowboy Junkies before, but I've never heard any of their music before, so I have no idea what I'm in for on this album. But I see that there are covers of Hank Williams and Patsy Cline on this album, so I'm excited to give it a listen. As interesting as this album was on paper, it didn't live up to my expectations. The concept behind the recording of this album is incredibly unique, and the vocals were really great throughout it, but this album fell flat with me. I was pretty bored listening to this, and I didn't find any of the songs particularly memorable. I was really hoping that the band would add something new to their renditions of "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" and "Walkin' After Midnight," but I was let down by what I heard. I wasn't familiar with Velvet Underground's version of "Sweet Jane," so while the song was fine, I can't compare it back to the original. The original songs on this album weren't much better than the covers in my opinion. "Blue Moon Revisited" was interesting, but I didn't have any other strong feelings about it. This album wasn't without merit, but it's definitely not my thing, and I'm confused as to why it was included on this list. Great vocals, but there wasn't really much else going on.

Nice, really didn't do much for me. Very atmospheric. Lovely singing. I remember Sweet Jane from back in the day. It was nice, different, but I didn't buy the record. 3 stars I guess.

Enjoyed it! Great sounds for waking in the morning!

Day 31 of listening to 1001 albums, one album at a time. This album is slow, like really slow. Sometimes it works other times not so much. I think some songs didn’t really need to be 5 minutes long but that’s just me. I thought a lot of the folk type blues was good and for the late 80s with country music it’s a nice refreshing sound from what you would usually hear from country. However I don’t think this album is really anything special though. I think it has good songs but it becomes boring unfortunately.

I already knew sweet Jane from the natural born killers soundtrack. So, I liked that... The rest is okay, I guess, just wasn't really in the mood for this kind of sound.

Not bad but I had to fight my way through the first few songs. Afterwards it got better and I enjoyed parts of it a lot.

Boring. Christ.

Not sure if 3 or 4 yet. I did enjoy, will need a couple more listens haha

I didn't think I'd enjoy an "alternative country" album by a band called cowboy junkies quite so much

A fair few covers in there which I’d normally be inclined to get annoyed by but in this case it’s bonus points for that nice Sweet Jane cover. Album sets a mood and I feel like I’m there with them. Something like Cigarettes After Sex or similar definitely stole their flow and made it modern in that sense, kind of reminded me of that spatial, nocturnal mid/low tempo in the room with you type of production, I liked that about this album. Only difference is this was recorded in a church, that was recorded using a boss pedal (probably). Not actually sure which technique is sicker now that I type it out, but this is digressing. 4/5.

It’s always fascinating listening to a “family band” that still likes each other after a long career (eg, Oasis, kings of Leon, CCR,etc). They sounds is good, very Irish folk meets Norah Jones vocal jazz, I mean, 15 years prior to NJ of course. Blue Moon Revisited and Sweet Jane are definitely stand outs, but I remember hearing those when I was a kid. Margo Timmons voice is beautiful and almost ghostly. The hard part is if they came up on the radio I would listen , but it would take a specific mod to look for them.

Wow! This one is super chill and recorded at an extremely low volume. I had to crank this one up just to hear it. I'll be revisiting this on some super chill night. I have hope this one will grow on me. The covers of Sweet Jane and Blue Moon jumped out at me. This requires a lot more than one listen to really feel this one.

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.

The highlights here will forever be Blue Moon and Sweet Jane, but this album is lovely throughout.

Sopor-fucking-ific. I guess it could work for something other than making me sleepy, but I am not sure what that might be

I found the alt-country vibe really interesting, but not enough to be really submerged by it

I really enjoy the aesthetics of this album. Haunting is a fitting descriptor and reminding me of Talk Talk's last two albums. Perhaps a bit dry in places, but it still strikes a great chord for a particular mood.

It's OK, I remember when this was big, but it is a bit too low key for me. And the best tracks, including Sweet Jane, are covers.

Never heard of this band before, the album starts off very slow and stays slow throughout , nice folk track about miners to start with. I can hear a khruangbin guitar sound throughout, wondering if this was one of Speer's influences. Would have check other albums out before I made a decision about the band Stand out tracks: - Mining for gold - Blue Moon Revisited (song for Elvis) - I don't get it - Great harmonica parts - Working on a building - Sweet Jane - Walking after midnight - harmonica again

I'm not going to say I hated it, I just didn't like it. It was so slow. There's no catch. It was slow and nothing else. There wasn't one song I liked. 1/5

A boring and sleepy album that sounds virtually the same from beginning to end. This one didn't do it for me, but it's pleasant enough, hard to recommend unless you are trying to sleep.

It sounded good but felt a bit boring. I enjoyed hearing a very different take on one of my favorite songs “Walking After Midnight” but it was a bit too slow for me.

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

At first I thought it would be a nice sort of ballads. It was. But I got pretty bored in the middle. 2.5/5.

5 stars, should still be on the list.

Cozy but gets kinda repetitive after awhile

Melancholy not bad

Nice voice but a little uneventful

It establishes a pretty distinctive atmosphere, but ultimately feels like a pale imitation of Americana by artists that either don't have the chops or the heart for it (or both).

I would listen to Margo Timmins sing delivery menus

A smoky, sultry collection of country crooners, Margo Timmins purrs out these slow jams about lonesomeness and silicosis.

This was a unique album. It starts with the female a cappella song which is a nice intro and showcases her singing ability yet feels very dull and hymnal. Throughout the album it felt like a big cohesive entanglement of indie folk music. It wasn’t bad but just not something I truly enjoyed listening to. 5.6/10

Sad cowboy.

Can be kind of haunting. I liked it although I'm not sure how much I'll revisit it. 3/5

I felt like this album never went anywhere. Nothing really stood out and if you didn't pay attention sounded like one long sad gloomy song.

I only knew this album from the cover Sweet Jane, great version. I like this album mellow yet groovy, with a beautiful haunting voice. This album works best on maybe a lazy Sunday morning when you have no interest in getting amped up but just want stay lethargic.

Intriguing. Kinda forget it was running but it kept grabbing my attention every few minutes. 3 stars

lil slow but some good tunes at times 2.8/5

Love that Sweet Jane!

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

Да что ж мне не везёт на альбомы последнее время! Ковбои торчки это фолк кантри блюзбэнд. Аризона кантри мама. ладно, то что поёт девочка мне нравится. Это приятно. Такой кантри нам надо. на удивление кайфанул

Didn't listen to the whole album because this shit is SOFT.... but the Sweet Jane cover is kinda cool I guess

That was real nice! I didn't think it was my mood and it'd be a write-off but it eventually brought me in.

Decent stuff here

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

slow and boring, that fucking harmonica was hell

2,5

**The Trinity Session by Cowboy Junkies: An In-Depth Review** **Introduction** Released in 1988, *The Trinity Session* by Cowboy Junkies is a landmark album that showcases the band’s unique blend of country, blues, and folk. Recorded in a single day at Toronto’s Church of the Holy Trinity, the album is renowned for its atmospheric production and intimate performances. This review delves into the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, offering a balanced view of its strengths and weaknesses. **Lyrics** The lyrics of *The Trinity Session* are one of its most compelling features. Margo Timmins’ vocals convey a sense of melancholy and introspection, bringing to life the poetic and often haunting words. The album opens with “Mining for Gold,” a traditional folk song that sets a tone of longing and sorrow. The themes of love, loss, and introspection are prevalent throughout the album. **“Misguided Angel”** tells the story of a flawed but deeply loved partner, capturing the complexities of love with lines like, "I said 'Mama, he's crazy and he scares me / But I want him by my side'." The lyrics of “I Don’t Get It” explore confusion and frustration in relationships, while “To Love Is to Bury” delves into the depths of heartbreak and mourning. **Music** Musically, *The Trinity Session* is characterized by its minimalistic approach, with a focus on creating a rich, atmospheric sound. The band’s use of traditional instruments like the guitar, harmonica, and mandolin adds to the album’s rootsy feel. Michael Timmins’ guitar work is particularly noteworthy, providing a sparse but emotionally resonant backdrop to Margo’s vocals. The standout track, **“Sweet Jane,”** is a cover of the Velvet Underground song, reinterpreted with a slow, languid tempo that transforms the rock classic into a melancholic ballad. The band’s rendition of **“Blue Moon Revisited (Song for Elvis)”** is another highlight, blending Elvis Presley’s “Blue Moon” with original material to create a haunting, dreamlike piece. **Production** The production of *The Trinity Session* is integral to its distinctive sound. Recorded live with a single microphone, the album captures the natural acoustics of the church, lending an organic, reverberant quality to the music. This minimalist recording technique, overseen by Peter Moore, gives the album a raw and intimate feel, as if the listener is present in the room with the band. The decision to record live in an unconventional setting was both a risk and a stroke of genius. The natural reverb of the church adds depth and warmth to the music, creating an immersive listening experience. However, this approach also means that any imperfections or inconsistencies in the performance are captured, adding to the authenticity but occasionally detracting from the polish of the final product. **Themes** The themes of *The Trinity Session* revolve around love, loss, longing, and existential reflection. The lyrics often explore the darker sides of human emotion, reflecting on failed relationships, personal struggles, and the search for meaning. The recurring motif of **spirituality and redemption** is evident in tracks like “Mining for Gold” and “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry.” The use of a church as the recording venue further amplifies these themes, creating a sense of solemnity and introspection that permeates the album. **Influence** *The Trinity Session* has had a lasting impact on both the alt-country genre and the broader music landscape. Its innovative production techniques and blending of genres have influenced countless artists and bands. The album’s success helped pave the way for the alt-country movement of the 1990s, inspiring artists like Gillian Welch, Ryan Adams, and Wilco. The album’s influence extends beyond genre boundaries, with its atmospheric soundscapes and emotional depth resonating with fans of indie rock and folk music. The Cowboy Junkies’ ability to reinterpret classic songs and infuse them with new life has also set a precedent for cover versions in popular music. **Pros and Cons** *Pros:* 1. **Atmospheric Production:** The use of a single microphone and the natural acoustics of the church create a unique, immersive listening experience. 2. **Emotional Depth:** The lyrics and vocal delivery convey a deep sense of emotion, drawing the listener into the stories being told. 3. **Innovative Covers:** The band’s reinterpretations of songs like “Sweet Jane” and “Blue Moon Revisited (Song for Elvis)” showcase their ability to transform well-known tracks into something entirely new. 4. **Musical Minimalism:** The sparse instrumentation and careful arrangements highlight the strength of the songwriting and the performances. *Cons:* 1. **Production Imperfections:** The live recording approach means that some tracks have minor imperfections, which may detract from the overall polish for some listeners. 2. **Pacing:** The album’s slow, contemplative pace might not appeal to all listeners, particularly those who prefer more upbeat music. 3. **Homogeneity:** The consistent mood and tone throughout the album can make it feel somewhat monotonous to some listeners, lacking in dynamic variety. **Conclusion** *The Trinity Session* by Cowboy Junkies is a seminal album that combines evocative lyrics, minimalist music, and innovative production to create a deeply atmospheric and emotionally resonant listening experience. While its slow pace and production imperfections might not appeal to everyone, its strengths in storytelling, emotional depth, and genre-blending innovation make it a standout work in the alt-country and folk music genres. The album’s influence continues to be felt, cementing its place as a timeless piece of musical artistry.

Boring with only a couple of good moments. They obviously sound exactly the way they want to sound. It's actually quite hard to play this slow. So it's hard to call it bad. But I don't like this record at all. Favorite song: blue moon

3,5. ljúft áheyrnar en of mikil áhrif af leiðinlegum jazzi. önnur yfirferð.

I tried to give this a shot but 52 minutes is just too long for an album this one-note. There are some really nice moments here, but I can't say I have any desire to listen to it again in a single sitting.

mazzy star if they were boring

I did not need to hear this before I die. Maybe it was stellar for the time or something but I did not enjoy this and can't see myself listening again.

Quite good

Had to adjust my expectations as the name 'Cowboy Junkies' definitely had me prepped for something harder than this. It was much slower, softer and calmer than I expected. Not bad but I did get a little bored with it as there wasn't much variation to the vocals, lovely as they are. Probably a 3 for me - quite listenable but not something I'd revisit.

Made me a bit sleepy

This was a surprise indeed! Didn’t hold out much hope, but it’s really good! Beautiful, melodic and stripped back!

This album definitely has a unique sound, not sure it's quite my tempo though. I definitely liked the country instrumentals, but I think the songs are just a bit too slow, which made it uninteresting at times. The singer has a good voice though.

Quite relaxing

What a pleasant surprise! With a name like Cowboy Junkies I was expecting yet another another variation of old white dude rock, but instead got something this gorgeous thing. Beautiful record, beautiful recording.

4.5/5

Mellow and soothing.

I didn’t hate it, I just felt that the entire album was incredibly boring. I was waiting for it to be over not because it was horrible but because it’s what I listened to first thing in the morning and didn’t want to fall asleep again. It just wasn’t my type of music- sleepy.

Well. There's definitely a place for this. I just get absolutely nothing out of it whatsoever. Positives...? Lovely sound to it (all recorded live in a large church which is definitely interesting/unique). ... Just terrifically soporific from start to finish and cannot recommend enough to avoid this while driving alone on a highway. 4/10 2 stars.

Mostly, I am rating this a 3 because I didn't hate it. I truthfully didn't have the time to give this the focused listen that I would have liked. This might instead be a 2 but only a relisten will really tell me. What I liked about it was the vocals and felt like a good mix of country and blues. What I am unsure on is that some of the stuff sounded very samey, but I can't tell if that was because I wasn't focused enough or if that's accurate. I definitely wouldn't balk at a relisten though so at the least I passively enjoyed it.

At times, this band will entertain. Trinity Sessions? So painfully slow! I bought it years ago, told it was special. Years later, unable to find anything remotely special about it. Slow. Agonizingly slow.

Det är inte dåligt men samtidigt är det rena sömnpillret.

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

3.5

This album kind of meandered from start to finish. It's briefly rescued here and there by some extra instrumentation, but it's mainly just a big stew of midrange.

Sometimes a cover version of a song can be the definitive version. Cowboy Junkies Sweet Jane is up there with Johnny Cash Hurt for this title. Album is kind of overpowered by that one track, but still good overall. 4/5

Notable tracks: Misguided Angel, Blue Moon Revisited (Song for Elvis), I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry, Dreaming My Dreams With You, Working On A Building, Sweet Jane

dosadno za popizdit

Really doesn’t age well. It was an important album to join the dots between folk, country and the Velvet Underground. But now it really sounds boring.

Has sweet Jane on it.

i didn't think i liked country

Not at all what i expected which just brings the rating down honestly. Terrible

how are you gonna name yourself "cowboy junkies" then do this

Good album, very relaxing. Many imitated it, none did better.

Really enjoyed this and could see revisiting. Super vibey and sparse for an alt-country act in 1988!

Lovely little album. Would've loved to witness the recording in the church. Not appropriate for all occasions, because it really is quite slow, not very dynamic, but with the right mood it's wonderful.

Great album

I went into this thinking of a different band. Initially surprised, eventually comforted, it was a fine live album of life's simple things.

This was really lovely and unexpected. Beautiful songs.

Loved the mellow vibe of this

Vocals five, song choices four, instruments three. Lovely to listen to.

Slow and boring. Every song sounded the same. Even the covers sounded the same. She has a very nice voice and it was quite soothing, but not really for me. 2.5 stars

Absolutely haunting This feels like a bit of a hidden gem Loved this

A fairly captivating start to the record but unfortunately it's a little too quiet and meditative for my tastes. Not sure when I'd listen to something like this. Even as background music I'd like something with a little bit more going on.

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.

Conocía el nombre y en su época lo mismo escuché alguna canción, pero si fue así no lo recuerdo. El disco no es lo que imaginaba por el nombre de la banda y en general me he aburrido y me ha parecido demasiado tranquilo. Otro de esos que no es malo, pero no me aportan nada más allá de marcarlo como escuchado.

I'm surprised that, as a person who grew up on a steady intake of CanCon, I've never heard of this band. Granted, this genre wasn't my scene...and mostly still isn't. I didn't hate this, but I would strongly prefer not to hear it again. The lead singer has a nice voice, I just didn't like it or the music.

So melancholy. I love it.

Roooosalega rólegt og lögin kannski pínku keimlík, en þetta er oft fallegt og það má hafa ánægju af þessu.

6/10 not bad in any way good sleeping music

Mining For Gold Blue Moon Revisited Postcard Blues Bouta make me fall asleep. Very slow. Not bad just nothing notable to say

I love this record

I don't get it

Favorite Tracks: Blue Moon Revisited (Song For Elvis) Misguided Angel Mining For Gold

Best Song: Dreaming My Dreams With You. Beautifully understated in a way that makes you want to lean in to hear her better. Worst Song: I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry. Sometimes, even in the pursuit of melancholy, you can be a little too on-the-nose. Overall: Extremely stripped down. Did not help that I had a head cold while listening to this album, but it did feel like it was trying to put me to sleep. Nevertheless, the vocals were quite nice and I came to relish the quiet of it all.

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!

2.5/5 - relaxing but nothing special or memorable

Pretty similar throughout. Standout songs: Mining for Gold 200 more miles Postcard Blues

This album makes me so nostalgic. I spent so many late nights writing college papers listening to this on repeat. Soothing melodies and a beautiful, haunting voice.

35 years ago I definitely had this album. I do love her voice and the arrangements but I didn’t realise how many covers were on here. I think all those years ago, it was very late night listening and suited those studenty smoke-filled environs. Sweet Jane is a great cover. .

I LOVE the Cowboy Junkies 1996 release, Lay It Down. That's a 5 in my book. I've always found this album rather boring. I get that it's a one-day recording and that's some big deal, but the end result is an album that sounds very much the same from start to finish. Cool concept, but not my fave.

Yeah, it's OK. I mean, each individual song is gorgeous. Some nice covers on here. But overall, every song is so quiet and chill, it's all a bit much. At one point, I kept turning up the volume and I swear the song kept getting quieter on me. I literally couldn't turn it up high enough to hear what was going on. Anyway, props to them for that Sweet Jane cover and for resurrecting that middle 8 that had been missing from the original VU single. OTOH, you now can't find that original VU single without the middle 8 added back in, and frankly, although that bit works here with the CJs it doesn't work as well on the original. But that's not the Junkies' fault.

CDs were just becoming a thing when The Trinity Sessions came out and it was one of the first I purchased. It's hard to listen to this album without the nostalgia. Such an unusual and new sound from other stuff I was into and yet so comforting with her soft vocals and pedal steel guitar. Reading about the production and how the brother convinced his sister to sing was as enjoyable as revisiting this old friend.

not for me

Just reading about how this was recorded has me intrigued and I know very little about the Cowboy Junkies' music. Oh fuck... Harmonica? I like the sound of this so far even though Misguided Angel is not something I would probably listen to again. She has a beautiful voice. One of those 80's/90's female fronted band voices. Oh this bass in Blue Moon Revisited. This is a good one. Half cover, half original. Goddamn. She has a great voice. I understand the church recording session now. The acoustics are amazing on this. Lost a little interest in the middle but sonically this album sounds really good and I could see myself returning to some of these songs.

2.6 Nope

Very mild campfire acoustics, slight country vibe

Admittedly, country/folk isn't my favourite genre but this was OK. Margo Timmins voice saved it. Soft, haunting but with no noticeable twang that keeps more than tolerable. I can see why Robbie Robertson and Neil Young liked this album.

Fantastic sound, but not much variation between songs.

Funcionou bem, especialmente a voz na cover de Sweet Jane

Dreamily relaxing and gentle -- if you're in the mindstate for that

3.4 - Sleepytime music for when you're curled up with a cup of chamomile, rocking your snuggy and fuzzy slippers. The problem is, snuggies make my belly itch and fuzzy slippers make my feet sweat. So, overall, this isn't ever the vibe I seek out. Also, I feel like on any college campus with a passable music program you could scout at least a handful of beautiful female singers who would kill to croon this type of sultry country-inflected prattle. Overall, this record isn't bad -- pretty voice and proficient instrumentation -- but it doesn't offer anything memorable.

I had heard of the Cowboy Junkies but had not heard them before! Nice record but the selections just seemed to plod along…

This was recorded in the church behind the Eaton Center. That's where they filmed The Silent Partner with Christopher Plummer and Elliott Gould. At least the Eaton Center has that.

Hauntingly beautiful at points, a little slow at others, but a neat album nonetheless. This is an album where the vocals make it - she's extremely talented and nice to listen to. If you like folk/blues/etc, give it a whirl. Fav tracks: Postcard Blues, Mining For Gold, I Don't Get It

BLUEEE MOOOOONNNN

Lille 4

Very lovely music.

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.

I feel like you need to be in a certain type of mood to enjoy this album and I just wasn't really in that mood.

I don’t have much to say against this album, other than it just really didn’t click with me. Like everything about it was okay. And honestly I was waiting for it to be over. 2.5

Leiser Country/ Folk. - schon wieder- nicht meins.

3-3.5

Soft yet powerful.

Standouts: Mining for Gold, Sweet Jane

Rating: 6/10

Nice album well produced, she’s a beautiful singer,

Nice and relaxing

This was really pretty, but I'd suggest not listening to this if you are on the verge of falling asleep.

Not the sort of thing I’d normally listen to, but I found it surprisingly enjoyable

I enjoyed it, but not sure when I'd actually listen to it again. Can imagine it playing as background music in a hipster bar, or by a live band in the corner.

Wasn't unbearable, but at best it's background music

Really loved this. Opening track really sucked me in. Blue Moon Revisited was beautiful too. The album feels raw and unpolished in a good way. And it feels like they all really enjoy playing together. Didn’t really go anywhere but I liked it

Being a good Canadian, I really wanted to love The Trinity Sessions. Timmins’ voice is hauntingly beautiful, but the album is just too slow, there is nothing dynamic on it at all 5.1/10 5.9/10

It's mostly slow and boring yet satisfying at times. I have to be in the right mood to enjoy this otherwise it's a slog.

It was not a good album. It definitely was not the worst album on this list. There were a couple of covers. I tolerated the album. Not really a 2 but better than a 1. I will round down

With a name like Cowboy Junkies I was expecting some hardcore country and that first long soulful note was a bit of a jumpscare. That being said, this was a solid album. The music kinda put me to sleep but I’m not mad about it. This is the kind of music I would expect to hear at a yoga class while doing shavasanah.

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.

Very beautiful & slow. Some touching lyrics. Loved dreaming my dreams with you

La primera vez que los escucho y me ha gustado bastante.

Boring

I’ve always been opposed to this band off the name alone. You’re…cowboys who are junkies? Junkies strung out on cowboys? It’s a name a guy gripped by midlife crisis would come up with.

Cowboys? Not sure. Junkies? Definitely. 1/5 as I was not high.

Good cover of blue moon, and if course sweet Jane. Solid

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.

This record is simple and beautiful. Missguided Angel is an incredibly well written and performed song, and I loved the cover of Sweet Jane. However some tracks feel too restrained and a lot of them didn't really connect with me.

Very slow. If there had been a tad bit more to it, it might have been pretty great

Not my favourite but it was pretty good

4 stars for an alt-country album? I know, I'm shocked as well. Maybe it's because I was fully taken by surprise by how delightful Margo's vocal lines are. I expected gnasty country twangin' and it wasn't here. The decision to record live-to-two was a very VERY good choice. The result is a record with an vitality and responsiveness that you only get when musicians are playing together and responding to the back-and-forth feedback loop of live performance. I felt it immediately and I'm so here for it. Still too much steel guitar, though. I just can't bring myself to offer up a 5-star rating for an album with this much steel guitar. I hate it so much. Sorry not sorry.

I'm not sure how an album can sound at once ahead of its time and before its time, but this manages it. Not a bad thing in itself, but it feels like it influenced any number of bland country-tinged alt-rock bands of the 90s. At least this has a backbone though.

Inoffensive, just not for me. 2/5

Beautiful songs but just too slow for me. Throw in a banger sometime. Below average as a full album

Sad cowgirl type of album. Very quiet

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

Great alternative country

I really liked the intimacy of the recording for this, but after a few songs it just got very repetitive and was too dreary to enjoy that much

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!

Una mezcla curiosa de blues con un toque sofisticado.

The band name sounds familiar. So far, from the first track, this doesn't sound familiar. Into track 2, a lot mellower than I anticipated. So far not the band I thought it was. Not really my style.

Not really my kind of music.

I read this was alternative country but it sounded more like alternative rock/pop to me. The sound is haunting and captivating. I really liked this. 4 stars.

Boring

4.2 - Loved the melancholic tones of this album. Not a master piece but a solid album for me.

Gorgeous voice. Some beautiful songs, but didn't grab me. Maybe a 2.5. I feel like I need to listen again as it was very background music!

This is beautifully produced/performed. Never heard of this band or album but it’s definitely another in my wheelhouse. Only complaints - slightly lacking in variety, and I don’t think the Sweet Jane cover is all that strong. Fave Tracks: Blue Moon Revisited, I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry 4/5

Country perhaps my most disliked genre. This album stands out on this list however as it seems genuinely worth listening to. 3.5

Could have lived unlimited lives without ever having to listen to this

Lovely album. Always enjoy giving it a listen.

Nice ethereal folk/country album. The intimacy of the session, recorded in a church with a single microphone, is magical. The vocals sound a little monotone at points, and lacking emotion, but the delicate playing is beautiful. The covers are also well placed to sprinkle in some familiarity with well known influences. Great addition to the late night repertoire.

So this was recorded in a church on a single microphone, seems to give the whole album and ethereal yet intimate quality I adore. Kept me engaged the whole time. Bonus points for a sick sweet Jane cover. 8/10