The Trinity Session

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

Mellow but didn’t really engage me

Blue Moon vind ik wel leuk, verder een beetje saai Would not buy

I wanted to be generous to this album. I just was bored by it. It’s way too slow. It’s not that I mind slow music. I’m a big fan of slow core so that doesn’t bother me at all really. I was just bored. I kept waiting for anything interesting to happen, there’s no hooks, nothing catchy going on nothing. Even ambient music has more interesting things going on and that’s not a knock on ambient music. I’ll listen to music for airports over and over again for the rest of my life. I’ll never listen this album again. The most interesting thing about this album isn’t even their song and it’s not even a cover that I want to hear again The album is an hour long, but it felt like two, and that was with skipping quite a few of the tracks halfway through. I’m getting tired of writing the question why did I need to hear this before I die?

Like the intimate feel, for C&W not bad at all 6/10

Steady album.

This was a slow start for me. At first, I was annoyed that it sounded like a rough demo of an album they were going to record later, but then I read about how they recorded it all in a single day with one microphone - so, okay, that's kinda cool. She's got a great voice, and it's real old-timey, jazzy, country vibes. I was a little bored, but the last 4 tracks really saved it for me. Solid work, Junkies.

Easy going. A bit too slow and low key in my opinion. Nice clean guitar sound and reverb.

This is so different to the kind of music I usually listen to. There were some cool unique sounds across the album which I liked and I added a few songs to the playlist.

Another album that is slower than molasses. Dear god I'm falling asleep. Not my jam.

Great start. Sublime.

it was okay. isnt something i would have listened to if not for this app. very bluesy/folky which i dig.

with a name like cowboy junkies you'd think it'd be something cool

have always loved this album, all time best

Sounds a bit like if Fiona Apple did this instead of her own thing, very low key but enjoyable!

A nice, laid back listen. I like the vocals, and the instrumentation, while understated at times, suits the songs well.

The first half of this I found a bit slow. But there were some tracks later on that I really enjoyed and you could hear the influence on bands like Khruangbin

I have always heard of the Cowboy Junkies, but did not know their music, until now. This is fantastic! Exactly what I was hoping to find when I started this project - this is album 1077 for me from the list of 1089 (the list of 1001 just isn't limited to the current list of 1001 albums, it includes others that were removed from previous editions). Standouts: Sweet Jane, Misguided Angel rating: 4/5

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.

It is subtle and atmospheric, it is boring too.

This album really takes you elsewhere, enjoyable to listen

Like many here, knew and loved the Sweet Jane cover but didn’t know anything else. All a bit one tempo for my liking.

this album is proof that a list of 1001 of anything is way too many

Pretty fkin boring.

Soild, Southern blues album

Holy shit.

Now this is alternative country I can get behind! Almost getting Beach House vibes from it.

The raw atmospheric feeling of the instrumentation combined with Margo Timmins’ ethereal vocals really makes Cowboy Junkies stand out when compared to some of their contemporary genre colleagues. An absolute pleasure.

I did not think I'd enjoy this as much as I did. The album is slow and calm and put me in a good mood. There were a few songs on here that I have heard before too, which was neat.

pace and voice make all sounds feel long and same

her whisper was a sign, in Nineties. Great Lou Reed cover.

Folk rock, country alternativo. Ni fu ni fa.

Alternative country,country rockfolk, blues. Casi todas, voz mujer superbonita.

The vocal mix of Trinity is exquisite. The record feels like a wonderful local show, not one that gets your heart pounding but exciting later. Edges between covers and originals exist but are unimportant. There's a lot of secondhand: Listening to, looking at, thinking about. Perfect for cool winter nights.

It’s very nice and the story behind the recording is cool but… it’s a bit dull isn’t it?

5? 5.

01) Mining For Gold - 7,0 02) Misguided Angel - 8,5 03) Blue Moon Revisited (Song for Elvis) - 8,5 04) I Don't Get It - 8,0 05) I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry - 8,0 06) To Love Is to Bury - 8,5 07) 200 More Miles - 8,0 08) Dreaming My Dreams with You - 8,0 09) Working on a Building - 8,0 10) Sweet Jane - 9,5 11) Postcard Blues - 7,0 12) Walkin' After Midnight - 8,0 TOTAL: 8,08 (81/100) I can almost imagine myself sitting in that church while they're playing and recording. And I enjoy the worship. Listening this on a cloudy winter tuesday morning is definitely helping to set the mood. Very nice.

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.

Eh. I was not impressed

Absolutely beautiful, if a bit same-y

Super slow burn and sort of same-y, but I’m crazy about the vibes here. Incredible atmosphere and an arresting singer help form a strong if unorthodox album. Best song: 200 More Miles

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

An album of pedestrian songs that are as interesting as pile of wet cardboard.

I'd definitely heard the Sweet Jane cover, but the whole thing is really nice. Really low key, gentle stuff. Not for every day, but for right now.

I really liked the singer of this band, it's weird because I thought this was an all male band by the album cover, but her voice was great. Says alternative, but this felt like a sort of country, singer songwriter type album. Like if Kurangbin had more/quieter vocals.

Here we go, here's something pretty interesting. A group I've never heard of, and it seems to be a very raw, unpolished recording session from them. Apparently they were all huddled around one mic playing these songs, that's really cool. I really dig the vocalist's voice, she reminds me a bit of Fiona Apple, but with more of a country/folk edge. Really enjoyable tunes on here, a number of them covers, and I especially enjoyed the one track that, well it's not a cover of Santo & Johnny's "Sleepwalk," but it sounds a lot like it, I think it's an old standard. Anyway, really good album. Very consistent vibe. Favorite tracks: Mining for Gold (really powerful way to open an album), Blue Moon Revisited, 200 More Miles, Sweet Jane. Album art: Washed out, grainy photo of the group, definitely captures the DIY energy underlying the music. Nice touch with all the cups and drinks, definitely in scumbag mode. 3.5/5

Definitely not what I was expecting.

Yeah, I liked this. It was slow, felt like watching the waves on a beach or something like that. But the singer had a pretty voice, and it felt very personal. The blog mentioned this was recorded with the full band around a single microphone, and I felt that. This sounded like I was attending a small, intimate concert, and I liked it.

Way more chill than expected. What a voice though

I thought the haunted feeling of songs like I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry and Walking After Midnight would appeal to me and I wanted to like this one more than I do.

Integer en minimalistisch

I like the Natalie Merchant's voice, although she can come off as overly somber, the reigning mood of this album. She gets close to a kind of slinky sexuality on "I Don't Get It", which would've been welcome on other songs (I think "Misguided Angel" would've benefited from some of that energy). I've seen other reviews refer to this as a kind of proto-slowcore record, which I'm inclined to agree with. If a lot of these songs were a minute (or two) shorter, I think fewer reviews would complain about being bored. Many of these tracks just overstay their welcome. The lead guitar playing is great, often bluesy, and the gritty tone cuts right through the lowfi production and restrained vocals. I think this album is beautiful, in a way. I also think it could've used some edits and more varied vocal performances. I could see myself revisiting parts of this. Highlights: Blue Moon Revisited, Dreaming My Dreams With You, Sweet Jane

All cowboy, no junkie. Whoever made this list loves them some slow country/folk. I guess this is good at what it’s going for but I feel like I just listened to this lady hold a note for an hour with the occasional harmonica interjection. Snore.

nominative determination. the only people who will listen to this shite are cowboys or junkies.

Fuck off then. Let's just end this list.

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.

I didn’t know the cowboy junkies had a girl!

Pleasantly surprised… I liked this album. I never listened to them as I was turned off by their radio hit. A common mistake in my musically arrogant teen years

Ready to listen again

Wasn’t bad it’s just like who tf listens to this

I could see myself listening to this on the dock at arrowhead

country that I don't hate. I never thought I'd see the day

Kinda dull in my opinion, but ultimately inoffensive. I just don’t have a lot to say and I’ll most likely end up forgetting it. 3/5

It's got a sorrowful tone. not bad, but also not something I'd listen to often.

This is a carousel in slow motion. It doesn't take long to realize you are going nowhere. The music comes across as very similar, same vocal delivery, same slow playing. A single song of it might be soulful and interesting, but an album of it feels long quickly. It isn't officially bad, just a bit boring.

Didn't hate it but most of it was a one and done.

Nice voice

Worth checking out if only for that "Sweet Jane" cover. As for the rest, your mileage on unobtrusive shoegaze having country inflection will decide if you join the ranks of listeners ascribing a cult status to this record. If you're a fan of Mazzy Star, chances are that *will* join that cult! 3/5 for the purposes of this list of "essential" albums. Which translates to a 8/5 grade for more general purposes (5+3). Number of albums left to review: less than 400 (I've temporarily lost count here) Number of albums I'll include in my own list: half so far, approximately Number of albums I *might*  include: a quarter, approximately (including this one, most probably) Number of albums I'll never include: another quarter (many others are more important to me).

Alternative country,country rockfolk, blues. Casi todas, voz mujer superbonita.

Relaxing blues and country songs. The guitar work is top notch and the vocals are beautiful. It does start to drag though.

Quite Nice and chill. 3

Not interesting

surprised by how much i enjoyed this!

This music was pleasant enough to have on in the background but didn't really move me or hold my interest for long. the covers are pretty good but i don't know how much of this i'd relisten to. it has a cool origin story though. favorites: mining for gold, blue moon revisited, I'm so lonesome i could cry, sweet jane

Yeah, not bad.

The singer has a beautiful voice but the music is too slow and plodding for me to really enjoy. Not bad overall but could be better.

Good album. Never listened to them before. I enjoyed it but probably won't revisit.

This was a 90s dorm room staple. Like most, the "Sweet Jane" cover is the only one I can remember, but what a cover it is! It's kind of the epitome of what you want a cover to be, true to the melody but interpreted in a way that you hadn't imagined before. The rest of the album is solid, establishes a mood early, and keeps you involved throughout. Trippy emo country/folk has seldom been done better. Tip: If you like this you should also be checking out Mazzy Star.

I was expecting the worst sort of country from the name, and what I got was a slightly downbeat, folksy and often beautifully sad album. They really should have picked a better name!

Enjoyable! Fair number of covers.

Not great

A dark take on the classic country sound, with all of the songs (covers and originals) having a distinctly dreary vibe. The session has a lot of mystique around it, and that is certainly evident in the music. My only critique is that it sticks to pretty much one sound, which can make the listen drag a little by the end, but the sound itself is very well done

didn't listen to all of it but it was def a vibe, would come back and listen more ++ cowboys

Meh overall, not what I like

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.

Chill relaxing folky

Their cover of Sweet Jane sums Cowboy Junkies. Its superficially quite nice but has no soul at all

Nah

I wouldn’t normally give good marks for an album with so many covers but this is a lovely piece of work. I’m no fun of country either. But this is worth a listen.

File under : music I would play at my small town Canadian bar on a dreary Tuesday evening

The first track is kinda fun but this entire album creeps by at a dull 60bpm. It really just goes on and on and it’s fine but like why are they so bored with their own music

The music was a bit too hokey, and the vocals a bit too breathy and somber, for my taste.

Not good

It started off really nice, with couple of very atmospheric songs with very good vocals, real melancholic tunes, but the rest of the album became a little too country generic for me. The shtick became tiring and I couldn't stay connected with the music. It was a nice position on the list though, definitely better than a lot of other country artists I found in here.

Soooooooo boring

Unique album and sound. Feels familiar while also completely distinct. Can see myself returning to this.

This album gave me anaemia

I am always in awe of Margo Timmins' voice. Soooooo good! I remember some of these tracks from when this album was in release in the late 80s. I hadn't listened to them at all since then so it was nice to hear this album in full for what I think was my first full listen. I don't think I'd heard their cover of "Walking After Midnight" before. Like a lot of their music, they arranged it to be a bit more sparse and haunting yet it also has soul. Nicely done. They are a talented band and this is an excellent record.

Timeless beauty

Pretty and gentle with more blues than country. Very quiet and mature. Excellently measured singing voice.

Don’t have a lot to say about this one. Not really my sound.

isn't this album something! i didn't love it but i found myself intrigued. the lead singer of the cowboy junkies has such a lovely voice that lends itself well to their airy, alternative country sound. honestly, i found similarities between an album like this and "emo music" in the early aughts, and the trinity sessions was released in 1988! i enjoyed what they did with their covers; they definitely made these famous country songs their own. for instance, "walkin' after midnight" is barely distinguishable from patsy cline's! the cowboy junkies used their unique sound to change these covers, and because i'm familiar with some of the original songs, it's easy to see how different their sound was and how it drove the songs in unexpected directions. one easy example of this is how the use of the harmonica had a near "crying" sound effect.

This album was really surprising. It's indie/alternative country/folk from 1988, and yet, it would be entirely believable that this album were released today. It sounds current and relevant when compared to alternative music in these spaces being released today! When I looked ahead at the tracklist and saw that this album was a mix of original material and covers, I was definitely partially intrigued, partially concerned. But upon hearing the album, I can say that the covers are done with such intentionality. They didn't just cover these songs for clout, they reinvented the songs in their own image. The covers take on new life of their own. I didn't absolutely love this, as sometimes it was a bit TOO slow and mellow and fell into the background for me. But man, it was interesting and unlike most things I've heard on this project so far, to say the least. Anyone who loves indie/alternative country should not skip this album, an album that came out long before such music was considered "hip".

Too slow for my taste.

Meh

#8. I had never heard of this before, and now I guess I know why. I honestly have no idea why this would possibly be on a list of 1001 albums that should be listened to, except for maybe to learn the lesson that you can't truly appreciate the good without experiencing the bad. I can imagine some Mumford and Son hipster twirling his mustache and telling his friends about this over a warm IPA, but for me it gets a nope out of ten. The girl's voice is good, but when the best part of your album is a handful of pretty weak covers, I simply cannot find a way to be even a little bit interested. 1/5: terrible Song added to playlist: 200 More Miles I've created a playlist on Spotify that consists of the best and/or my favorite song from each of the albums in this book. This list can be found here if you are interested: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7MAXDGLWlwLkFLb8veGfkA?si=FqkQQPgZTFWG0jAUJXLFZA&utm_source=copy-link

This album had a little bit of almost every genre that I love but the whole didn't quite live up to the sum of its parts. It had the sound of a slower, bluesy black keys album and the sultry, haunting vocals of Beth Gibbons from Portishead, and while I really really enjoyed this album, there was something about it that kept me from unconditionally loving it like I do Dummy or Brothers. It might just be that there weren't many energetic songs to keep things fresh but I also liked each of the slower songs. Either way, if I was going through a breakup or setting a sexy mood in a rural Southern town, this album can cover both. Between these guys and The Band, Canada really did produce some great country/blues/folk artists.

1. mining for gold - 1 2. mizguided angel - 1.5 3. blue moon - 1.5 4. i dont get it - 1.5 5. im zo lonezome i could cry - 2 6. to love iz to bury - 1.5 7. 200 more milez - 1.5 8. dreaming my dreamz uuith you - 1.5 9. uuorking on a building - 1.5 10. zuueet jane - 1 11. poztcard bluez - 1.5 12. uualking after midnight -

suave

Nothing too exciting here, it was quite pleasant but that's all. Would have thought that Fairport Convention would have been a better bet. But perhaps the compilers were American.

Taking music to a new level of mellow. I really did like her vocals, and the bluesy guitar vibe. I’d happily listen to any single track on this album, but the whole album was just too one paced for me. Background mood music. A 2 star rating because I’d listen to this before any of the shite I’ve rated as 1 star, but can’t see myself buying it, or listening to it again.

I remember reading about this band and this album in the NME back in 1988 and I was equally intrigued and put off by the 'alternative country' tag given to it. After all these years I've finally listened to it. AND.... it was okish. I don't mind a bit of slow, but it was pretty much the same all the way through, but not in a disastrously boring way. I assume the compiler of the book is an avid lover of the harmonica with two albums on the trot featuring this noise, but I don't want to keep labouring a point regarding my lack of love for this object. Quite liked the use of the accordion and guitar work with a pleasant enough vocal. Sweet Jane was by far the better cover than the other cringey effort. A middle 2

Ethereal sadness

Though the way it was recorded is pretty dang cool, the results themselves really aren't anything special for me.

Surprisingly bluesy and downtempo. I really enjoyed this, even though it had a bit of samey bloat.

They didn't quite steal "Sweet Jane" from Lou Reed like Aretha took "Respect" from Otis, but it's close. I flat out love the Elvis tribute, and the acapella opening is stunning. All the Cowboy Junkies you'll ever need. It sounds years ahead of its time and somehow timeless. You could tell me it was recorded yesterday or 1977 and I'd believe you.

Boring. The exact opposite of the Black Eyed Man album. Hang in there peeps...CJ gets better.

First time I listened I wasn’t real into it but on listening again I really liked it.

Languid and torchy proto-alt country with a simmering, bare bones vintage vibe. I've got to say, I appreciate the band's original work over most of the covers, which tend to be rather flat reimaginings of some pretty iconic songs. That said, the band's interpretation of "Sweet Jane" is really lovely, best song on the album by far. Fave Songs: Sweet Jane, Dreaming My Dreams with You, Blue Moon Revisited (Song for Elvis), 200 More Miles, Misguided Angel

This album was very important to me at 13. It's kind of an oldie but a goodie and certainly reminds me of my first girlfriend as we listened to it alone slacking around in our bliss. Dark, moody, emotive. Lots to still love here. There have always been a couple tracks I didn't get, but the most are still sounding good. Timeless.

College music, I was so young and unexposed. I thought the Velvet Underground and Elvis had covered the Cowboy Junkies. Never my jam, but this one still lives on in my heart.

Country may be my least favorite genre of music, but the Cowboy Junkies’ “The Trinity Session” is a style of alternative/folk country that I can appreciate. It also continues to challenge my opinions about live albums on the list and makes me think about the diverse ways musicians record music. “The Trinity Session” is not quite a live album. It’s mostly one session, but without an audience. But the Cowboy Junkies found a space with unique acoustics, lied their way into that space, and set about recording an intimate performance. Some albums are recorded in a day in a church. Some are recorded in a state-of-the-art studio over weeks. Some are recorded live on stage in front of a cheering crowd. All can produce amazing results. Except the live albums that stitch together several different shows. I still don’t care for those.

I am actually surprised I never heard this album before. It is squarely in my family's wheelhouse of country adjacent folk music like Nanci Griffith. I love the mix of an original song and a cover on Blue Moon Revisited. Ultimately, this band is probably too country for me to pick up much these days, but perfect for a passing time on a rainy day and a pleasant surprise.

I would enjoy this a lot more love than as an album. I lose the beauty of what’s here because I get bored. Margo Timmons does have a sweet voice though. They need to amp it up for me.

Niet mijn muziek

Several covers that IMHO don’t do justice to the originals. Not a lot of interesting melody or energy. The idea here is that the singers very enchanting and beautiful voice will carry the album, but it just doesn’t do it for me.

Some songs, like "I Don't Get It", have an incredible combination of an alternative folk sound with more direct modern lyrics. But most of the album leans too far into a more traditional southern blues-rock sound, which quickly gets boring and sleepy.

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.

3.5 interesting

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.

Husker ikke helt men sikker 3.5

22 year old me was very into this album. I haven't listened to it in years, but it still holds up. It was like a breath of fresh air, going against the tide of music at that point in time, similar to how the Band and Bob Dylan were playing rootsy Americana music when the world was going psychedelic. It's mellow and atmospheric. Margo Timmins' voice is sublime. Their version of Sweet Jane is one of the best covers of that song I've heard. 4 stars.

loved this album, love the band and the lady singing! Sweet 4 stars

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.

Nothing too offensive, just boring

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

Really good album that I somehow have never heard. Come back and re listen later.

Hjelpes

6/10. Eh, ethereal cowboy music, whatever

A sorry excuse for an album. Alt-country continues to disappoint. 4/10

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'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.

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.

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.”

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

Too slow

First listen Saved 0/12

Better than I thought

I liked this one. Nice and mellow rock.

Saw these guys live once. I like it but I don't love it.

Definitely a unique sound. A little monotonous, but good throughout.

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.

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

Always liked it, but grow weary of it quickly.

Sounds okay on initial listening but very samey after a few songs. 2.5 stars.

I did not expect to like this so much. Almost a 5

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

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.

I’m sorry but removed from its 80s alt country beginning context, this album is a bunch of deeply unoriginal covers. I feel like the impetus behind its notoriety is simply the place and way it was recorded. Like they had the idea to record it in a church into one microphone and everybody kept patting each other on the back about the concept, despite the end result being a very ho-him, unremarkable. All the press and writing about this album seems focused on trying to convince you that the mojo inherent to its production is enough to make this record more than it is. Maybe I’m just not the right receiver for the message. Nothing ever felt very interesting on this record. Very safe arrangements of very safe cover choices. Boring/10

Just another one of these shitty forgotten albums that clogs this list. Brings nothing to the table. Completely average, boring, unremarkable pile of crud. Bargain bin-core.

There were elements I liked and I was really giving with it for the first couple tracks, but ultimately it ended up feeling very same-y and one dimensional. I think that owes to the recording process. Reading up on it this record was recorded live around a single microphone, which is such a cool vibe but I feel hurts this album because of the lack of dynamic changes in the songs. Most of them are roughly the same tempo and style. Every track has every instrument and vocal at the same volume and position in the mix. It really drives what begins as a chill ambient vibe into the ground. I really did want to like this because of my initial impression of “this sounds kind of like the band that plays at the bar in Twin Peaks” and because of my fascination with the recording process , but it ultimately fell flat for me. That being said, I’d still take a track out of context now and again to get that chill vibe. I’d just probably prefer to listen to the original version of one of the many covers if given the choice.

Cowboy music for babies too scared of horses

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.

I felt like I needed to be at a 90s house party in the early hours to fully appreciate this album. Did not dislike.

Gääääähn. Nö.

Oh my Jesus, this album sucks. It's actively giving me a headache as I am listening to it! Ugh, why is this album on the list?? Why would you want to listen to some whiny almost yodelling type music? It blows my mind! Best: Sweet Jane Worst: Blue Moon Revisited (Song for Elvis)

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

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.

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.

Semi-sweet-country-folk. Kinda came and went, not bad but nothing latched on.

Laid back and gently unassuming. Incredibly boring. I'm sure there's some great stuff going on here, but it's really not for me. I have heard many albums from this list that are outside my comfort zone and I learned to love, but this is just an hour of dullness. I guess it would make good atmospheric music for something where the music was entirely in the background, but it's not something I would ever choose to listen to again. As the album progressed it felt more and more like it was slipping away from me, shyly trying to hide itself, almost as if the volume on my headset was being turned down lower and lower. I was reminded of that game kids play where they make quieter and quieter noises in turn, until it's almost impossible to distinguish between the noise and utter silence. Having an hour of silence might have been preferable here. I was thinking 1 star, but they cover Sweet Jane and that's got to be worth a star maybe. God it's an awful cover though, it sucked all the life out of that poor song. I think 2 stars for the astounding levels of tiredness I felt listening to this. I might have found the perfect music to put myself to sleep with?

Really chill and easy listening. Nice vocals

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

Miellyttävää kuunneltavaa, kaunista. Tuntuu silti, ettei ole syvempää sisältöä. Tuntuu puuttuvan muu tunne kuin sellainen perus mukavuus pienellä country-haikeudella. Useampi kuuntelukerta taidetaan vaatia.

Luulevat, että kauneutta voi esittää sellaisenaan. Samalla biisinteko jää minimiin.

Folk. Jazz. Agradable aunque un poco aburrido.

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.

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.

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.

I really thought I was going to like that album so much more than I did. I only knew Sweet Jane, which is a really solid track. But the rest all kind of sounded the same. Slow, plodding folk sounding vocals with a little twang to back it up. Might have been good on a head full of mushrooms...

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Un album très bien placé juste après le repas du midi, permettant d'entamer sa sieste dans les meilleures conditions possible.

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

Pretty nice and pleasant. 6/10

Alternative country,country rockfolk, blues. Casi todas, voz mujer superbonita.

No thank you!

The lead singer had a very nice voice, but this didn't really do anything for me. Very mellow - easy to fall asleep to.

Te rustig en te saai... bij Cowboy Junkies dacht ik eigenlijk ook hele andere muziek.

Niet veel van meegekregen.

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.

Ik begon enthousiast, maar vond het al snel slappe hap.

Nothing unpleasant, just totally empty in texture.

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.

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

Great country album with covers that delight. I loved the vocals and laid back vibe.

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

There's people who sing good songs, then there's people who can really sing. Margo Timmins is one of those singers who can sing. She can make a bad song a glorious experience. Effortless, breezy, lyrical beauty. this album is a solid bluesy groove. I think Timmins is what it works though. I think the original songs are fine, and the covers are great arrangements, but to me, the magic of this album is in the vocals.

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

Yeehaw… 🕊️

Som gjort för dygnets tysta timmar!

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...

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.

Felt more country and progressively got a more blues feel. Steel lap guitar and harmonica solos were my highlight

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. 

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.

Back in 1988 this album caused quite a stir and was widely praised by hipsters and also audiophiles due to its high quality recording in a church and slow-core production values. Most notable was Margo Timmins haunting voice. This album sounded very fresh back then because no other band at the time sounded like this and their cover of Sweet Jane was also really popular then also. Fast forward 35 years however, and it fails to stir any excitement remotely close to when it first came out.

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.

Haunting, beautiful, intimate

Probably the most apt band name ever. A bunch of cowboys up to their asses in heroin, that's what they sound like. Atmospheric, dilatant, with a touch of country music you won't find anywhere else. A real rara avis

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

2/5 Best: I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry Worst: Postcard Blues

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.

Folk rock, country alternativo. Ni fu ni fa.

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.

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.

I have a passionate hate for country: alright this wasn't the worst album I have ever listened to but it was by no means good at all. I just wanted to turn it off as soon as the first song started playing. Luckily this album wasn't lvl 1000000 country but instead a little bit tamed down but I still just didn't enjoy it and I don't think I could even if I played it on repeat.

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

Didn’t make a impression

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.

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).

Perfectly grim Sunday music.

Perfect mood setter moving into the Memorial Day weekend. Plaintive vocals and just enough instrumental to make a very easy to listen to set.

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.

Interesting Album but not for me

gezellig maar niet wauw

Ooh coole ontdekking

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.

Pleasant, but not memorable.

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

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.

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

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.

Really good! Loved the vocals.

L'oracle disait vrai

la voix de la chanteuse c’est un 12/5

Nice

Nice, is if but a bit depressing

Nice

Nice albom

really slow and melancholic inspired by the style of blues but not necessarily the the sound 2.5

That was a drag to get through. I can only picture being at this concert fighting back my head dragging back and choking on my own druel.

Definitely felt more like blues then country, which I appreciated!

This album has great blues undertones

Not for mw

Bit of a bore. Forgot it was on!?

I really enjoyed this. Recording session story was cool.

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

“The Trinity Session was like a whisper that cut through the noise -- and it was compelling. It stood out in the midst of the flash and bombast that came to define the late 80's.” Well give me the flash and bombast cause this was melodramatic horse shit 😂🖕🏻

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

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.

Disco tranquilo y reposado con una excelente voz suave. Con pocos instrumentos y canciones relajadas

Completely dull Great songs turned boring Great for lullaby's bad for literally anything else

Plain

This isn't bad, it just really isn't for me. I'm less into the soft spoken love and jesus songs and more into the songs about getting shitfaced and yelling at cops. The bluesy songs hit pretty fucking nicely though ("I Don't Get It" being a notable one).

pretty good, had not heard it much before.

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.

Melkosta läpsyttelyä kunnolla lyömisen sijaan. Tälle saattaisi olla oma aika ja paikkansa, mutta en kyllä nyt keksi milloin ja missä.

Menettelevä paketti

Sparse, ethereal, magical, surprisingly wonderful. The story of the recording is also really cool.

Non è che sia brutto, ma non è il mio genere

4.0

ok

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.

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.

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.

I can here this in any blues bar in America