Cowboy Junkies- Powderfinger LIVE (REACTION//DISCUSSION)

[@O_Towne_Bear]

They were Canadian Indy darlings. Great live. Their dreamy rendition of "Sweet Jane" is a must. Also recommend their song, "Cause Cheap Is How I Feel"

[@brumleytwitch6265]

Cowboy Junkies are worth digging into. They do folk/county acoustic music (as you just heard), but they are also one of the few current bands that can do a full psychedelic guitar jam. And Michael Timmons is an excellent songwriter, in the Neil Young vein.

[@noelheaton5098]

Sweet Jane, another great cover of lou reed

[@rickjones3612]

Have been a Cowboy Junkies fan since late 80s. Margo’s voice is simply one of a kind. She takes you into the songs emotionally and loved it through all these years. My one regret is not having a chance to see them perform live yet. You should definitely check out more of their music.

[@mannycalavera6011]

I love their album The Trinity Session. What a special one.

[@sylvaindupuis5595]

Cowboy Junkies, hearing their names, you expect to listen to some country/western music, but it's so far from that and still keep a part of it. I saw them a few times and it's one of the last shows I have seen before the COVID shutdown. I heard them the first time when Sweet Jane started to play on the radio. They recorded a previous album, but it was self promoted so unknown beside a few fans in Toronto. For the Trinity session, they recorded a demo in a church and brought that to producers. They expected to go in studio and record it again, but the quality and the sound given by the acoustic of the church was so great that the producer didn't want to change anything. So, listen to their album Trinity session or at least Sweet Jane. Sweet Jane is a cover of a Lou Reed song that he said was even better than what he had done with Velvet Underground.

[@jking195]

Very well known in their native Canada, their first notice came from their cover of "Sweet Jane". Also a great cover. If you want another incredible, but entirely overlooked Canadian female vocalist, you must check out Mary Margaret O'Hara. "Body's in Trouble" was a single from her amazing 1988 "Miss America" album and features, apart from her completely unique vocal style, the electric violin styling of Hugh Marsh (prominent musician who's worked with many artist including Bruce Cockburn, whom you featured quite a while back and should revisit). Great reaction as always. You feature artists no other channels do and is always appreciated. Cheers

[@Ignatius1972]

The Junkies were very popular here in Brazil too, until "Miles from Our home". I must admit the only thing about Mary Margaret O'Hara that I've heard was that weird and freak collaboration with Morrissey, "November Spawned a Monster". Very strange piece (the video indeed) from Moz

[@davidgale7384]

Hugh Marsh is another gem from up above the 39th that needs more recognition.

[@noseeyou]

Mary Margaret also happens to be the sister of actress Catherine O'Hara.

[@robertmckinney1898]

I absolutely love Cowboy Junkies, so happy to see you react to them.

[@bjorn6495]

Thanks a lot for doing this. The Junkies have been one of my favourite bands for ages now. As others have said, Michael Timmins is a great songwriter in his own right - some songs you might want to check out: "Sun Comes Up, It's Tuesday Morning", "Where Are You Tonight?", "Pale Sun", "Dragging Hooks". Also, their cover of Tom Rush's "Driving Wheel".

[@GareksApprentice]

You've dipped your toes into Bruce Cockburn, Neil Young and now Cowboy Junkies. Inching ever so closer to a Tragically Hip listen!

[@maruad7577]

Wheat Kings and pretty things

[@MisterWondrous]

Listen to "Sweet Jane", "Blue Moon", "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry", and she will be on your top female list. Similarly sultry will you find Nouvelle Vogue's "Too Drunk to F*ck" and "I Melt with You". Have a great weekend. We are getting snow.

[@Drummingvulture]

I finally saw them in 2013 after being a huge fan since '88. Fifth row, center. Jeff Bird was with them. They even played "Murder, Tonight, In The Trailer Park". It was a request made by me through their email. Otherwise they weren't doing it on this tour. My favorite Junkies song. Margo's voice hasn't lost one iota of it's power and gentleness. It's always reminded me of Sarah Nixey's voice (Black Box Reccorder), breathy and airy. I have to echo everyone else here: "The Trinity Sessions" is the album to check out first. The entire album, please. Recorded in one night, gathered around one mic in an old church in Toronto. Simply magical.

[@pepeye]

As others will no doubt note, Cowboy Junkies also did a cover of the Velvet Underground's Sweet Jane. On hearing it, Lou Reed called it "the best and most authentic version I have ever heard." Here's the link to the video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJKcn4FpfJd2ick

[@brumleytwitch6265]

The Cowboy Junkies are officially members, but they often play with additional players on 2nd guitar, mandolin and accordion.

[@rienvandijk2288]

Beautiful! I think tomorrow I'll have their cd The Caution Horses in the car on my way to work. The studio version of this song is on it. This live version reminds me of the Waterboys in their folk-period '87 - '89 especially the fiddle player Steve Wickham.

[@kirbywilliamson2942]

Wow, sometimes the depth of your pool defies the odds. A great band from Canada , who don't even get their duely recognition in their home country. Hope you follow this with some of their own compositions , Sweet Jane, Cause Cheap Is How I Feel , would be a good start.

[@jimbricker4982]

Their live album 200 More Miles is sublime.

[@RedGiraffe1]

Great video JP. Keep up the fantastic work! Road to 21K, and we are almost there. I hope everyone in the comments has a fantastic day!

[@JustJP]

Ty Red!

[@noelheaton5098]

so glad you covered this JD.,the facial exespestions is icing on the cake.did you reaction aswell mate😊

[@stephenmclaughlin5191]

God they are good. Not really listened to them for years... So thanks for bringing me back.

[@patrickmcgrath4837]

This was just a beautiful cover of a really great song ,hi JP I watched your copyright videos and I will be sticking with your channel regardless of which forum takes shape in the future , my regards pat ...keep rockin 🤘

[@JustJP]

Thank you so much Pat!

[@blitztim6416]

Saw them at Coachella. Probably the same year. Really enjoyed their set. Try their cover of Lou Reed's 'Sweet Jane'.

[@stephenpesta1550]

Great Alt Country/Folk band! Saw them play Toads Place in New Haven in ‘88, shortly after Trinity Sessions came out, and it remains a Top 20 show for me! Margo Timmons angelic voice is restrained but so amazing. Whether you review it or just prefer a personal listen check out “Misguided Angel” and the truly incredible remakes of “Blue Moon”, “Sweet Jane” and especially Hank Williams Sr.’s “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry”.

[@Ignatius1972]

Margo

[@stephenpesta1550]

@@Ignatius1972 yes sir, she deserves an edit on that … I get excited.

[@Drummingvulture]

In '88, Alpine Valley announced a great show - Lou Reed / Elvis Costello / The Sugarcubes / Cowboy Junkies. I was so excited. But when I went to get tickets, the show was canceled. DAMN! It wasn't 'til 2013 that I finally got to see them. Worth the wait!

[@stephenpesta1550]

@@Drummingvulture wow, what a lineup! Glad you got to see them. I worked security at the Toads show just to get a better view. The advantageous Junkies sound/lighting guys made me buy them beers. lol

[@mightyricky]

(pearls clutched) NEVER HEARD OF COWBOY JUNKIES!!!

[@JustJP]

🤭

[@bobholtzmann]

Great cover band -- me and my brother really liked the Cowboy Junkies' first album -- the Trinity Sessions. This song cover's style sounds incredibly like the Joni Mitchell song "Circle Game" -- and a great cover of that song was recorded by Tom Rush (from his Circle Game album).

[@Drummingvulture]

'The Trinity Session' is actually their second album. Many people think it's their first 'cause it was the one that brought them their initial recognition. Their first album is 'Whites Off Earth Now', and is in the vein of 'Trinity Session". Quite sparse, but beautiful. Almost as good as the next one. I highly recommend giving it a listen. Peace.

[@jamespaivapaiva4460]

Man, you are swimming in some warm, deep water here! Cowboy Junkies hit some of my favorite nerves, great Canadian artists who don't get the airplay here in the U.S., fantastic female singers, and acoustic wizardry on many fronts. Kudo's, keep it in the regular mix, variety isn't the spice, it's the life. Peace.

[@JustJP]

Spicy life🌶

[@robertbruce4618]

For a live version that's crisp. It's from their 2nd album, caution horses, not a bad track start to finish. Pretty sure that's the only only cover on that album. Their first was all blues covers + 2 of their own, also very good

[@thefabulousmula]

they sound much better in their studio albums especially when they were younger

[@johnmavroudis2054]

The genius of Neil Young is continuously revealed with every cover of his songs I prefer Neil (of course), but the sheer beauty of the music and lyrics can be reinterpreted and you're still left in tears. Wonderful stuff.

[@double00spy]

You must hear their cover of The Velvet Underground's "Sweet Jane" and Grateful Dead's "To Lay Me Down". Magic.

[@alva1370]

Check out the list of artists that covered After the Goldrush.

[@piershollott339]

Two of Canada's best bands from the past 30 or so years are the Cowboy Junkies and the Rheostatics. The Cowboy Junkies do better covers than just about any band, with the exception of maybe Yo La Tengo. Their version of Sweet Jane is not just entirely unlike the Velvet Underground original, it makes both versions better just by being. Similarly, the Rheostatics cover of the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Just amazing bands.

[@piershollott339]

Oh yeah, the Cowboy Junkies version of Bruce Springsteen's "State Trooper"? It is just straight up terrifying the amount of tension they build up through that song. I saw them play it live years ago, and for a band that hardly moves on stage, they were riveting.

[@James-np8pu]

You should listen to their album "The Trinity Session" released in the 80's. It's incredible. "Black Eyed Man" is also a great album.

[@frugalseverin2282]

This was an instant click for me, Cowboy Junkies is a favorite band of mine, they're Canadian like Neil Young, Joni Mitchell and The Band. Their first album came out in '86 and they're still going. Margo's voice is to die for she had me crying in my tacos without even listening to the words. They did a cover of Lou Reed's song 'Sweet Jane' which got them some attention but not much after that. I still bought all their albums. In 2010-12 they released a 4 volume series of albums called "The Nomad Series", get the box set though which has a 5th disc of outtakes. Their tone evolved, some times they're more electric and they can rock when they want to.

[@stevewallis795]

they are all canadian siblings or cousins, if you thaught yhis was good , sweet jane, just slowed down and deeply felt

[@zenpuppy6025]

They do a great cover of George Harrison’s Isn’t It A Pity.

[@HippoYnYGlaw]

One of the best b sides ever released was Stephen Duffy’s InTheEveningOf HerDay. Alternatively, “23” from the same LP , “i love my Friends”. You could even try the ultimate deep cut, “Autopsy”. This? It pales in comparison for me. I don’t know why.

[@raymondcpl]

Cowboy Junkies had been one of those bands that in my "little known" category... Their first two albums Whites Off Earth Now and Trinity Sessions are great.. Sparse, minimalistic, atmospheric... Great stuff JP.. Looks like Bruce Cockburn is up your alley too...

[@maruad7577]

He has heard "Silver Wheels" and owns but likely hasn't heard the "Humans" cd. "Trinity Sessions" is a brilliant album.

[@JustJP]

Got some Bruce coming in a few days :)

[@raymondcpl]

@@JustJP some of my fave deep cuts.. "Celestial Horses" "Rose Above The Sky" "Mighty Trucks Of Midnight" "Charity Of Night"... and my wife favorite "Coldest Night Of The Year"

[@maruad7577]

@@JustJP 😎

[@maruad7577]

@@raymondcpl My very favourite is "Badlands Flashback" but there are so many I really like.

[@jameswiglesworth5004]

such a different approach to the song, much slower than neil young, but they absolutely nail it, in fact I think the tempo suits the song better.

[@crestenify]

You must listen to the Cowboy Junkies "Trinity Sessions", an album recorded in one of Toronto's oldest churches. Magnificent

[@maruad7577]

One of the best albums to ever come out of Canada.

[@Drummingvulture]

I believe they only used one mic, too.

[@tommycanadasmobazimmer]

@@Drummingvulture I was going comment on that lol Its true..

[@karlgee4589]

Justin, Cowboy Junkies just released fantastic cover of Bowie's Five Years which I know you will also enjoy.

[@JustJP]

Ooo I'd love to see that!

[@karlgee4589]

@@JustJP Look forward to it. Your analysis is alway to notch.

[@karlgee4589]

@@JustJP Top notch.

[@mannycalavera6011]

Other thing everybody should heard, and somehow similar to Cowboy Junkies, is the album Floating into the nigth, by Julle Cruise. Such a masterpiece.

[@raymondcpl]

Very atmospheric!! I am a fan of Twin Peaks too

[@Ignatius1972]

I like very much Julee Cruise, but, for me, her music has more connections with the sound of the British indie label 4AD (Tarnation and Paula Frazer, His Name is Alive, Mojave 3/Slowdive, This Mortal Coil, Heidi Berry, Lisa Germano, etc) than with the Junkies

[@mannycalavera6011]

@@Ignatius1972 You have reason. Their sound are diferent, but breeding, to me, the same nostalgia. I think I compare them because i "meet" both albuns, more or less, at the same time. And because both are brilliant.

[@emilyflotilla931]

Haunting.

[@Ignatius1972]

I love so much Cowboy Junkies. I still have my vinyl copies of The Trinity Sessions and Caution Horses. I have all the Junkies CD albums until "Miles From Our home". After that, I've noticed some "tiredness" of the band and I've lost my interest in them from that period until now. Cowboy Junkies always have a considerable following here in Brazil (videos with good rotation on MTV Brazil and some exposure at the alternative radios. I bet is possible that they are most known here than in USA. Last, but not least, I must admit that It's quite shocking to see Margo with her hair completely white. Geez! I'm getting old (but my hair is still light brown. Yet)

[@greggbarrett7117]

As a guitarist and someone who has played live before I gotta say, man, I hate piezo pickups! I know that guitar sounds better than that. When will someone invent a decent acoustic pickup? Are you listening Paul Reed Smith?

[@maruad7577]

Justin, you need to sit down and listen to the Trinity Sessions album. Maybe not for your channel, but for yourself. It maintains this standard throughout the album. I do think you need to listen to a different Cockburn tune as well. Something off a different album as they do evolve. Speaking of covers, I think the best cover of a Cockburn tune I have heard is "You don't need to play the horses" done by Blackie and the Rodeo Kings on their King of Love album. edited to mention that I have seen CJ live at the Winnipeg Folk Festival.

[@4tuneagent]

You may also want to consider another Canadian band with similar qualities.. The New Pornographers..

[@maruad7577]

Maybe Neko Case's "This Tornado Loves You"?

[@4tuneagent]

@@maruad7577 Absolutely.. was going to mention Neko Case .. she probably has better solo material..

[@AriadneJC]

Plaintive and fragile singing? Check. Rustic-sounding violin? Check. Lyrics dripping with heavy feels? Check. Oh yeah... a Serious Song about Serious Issues for Serious People, this one!

[@debjorgo]

I'm not sure why anyone would recommend this. Does it have a different ending? I don't know. I didn't get that far. I mean it sounds alright but.... I'd recommend you listen to another Neil Young.

[@jameswiglesworth5004]

sounds allright, what planet are you on, You clearly know nothing of Neil Young or Cowboy Junkies, this is one of his great songs and I never thought anyone could better his version, but they absolutely nail it

[@debjorgo]

@@jameswiglesworth5004 Even if it were a much better version, I'd recommend another Neil Yong song before I'd recommend another version of a song he'd already heard. No, I've never listened to the Cowboy Junkies but I am a fairly big Neil Young fan. I love this song and Rust Never Sleeps. I'll listen to the song again if you chill down a couple of notches.

[@jfergs.3302]

Lyrically, this may've made a decent poem. Musically, this 'country', slow, droney stuff, just does nothing for me. Nothing leaps out, nothing exciting... my choice of the word drone, for me, is 100% apposite.

[@Ignatius1972]

I prefer the album version, that it's yet slower and quiet. But you probably wouldn't like it too.

[@jfergs.3302]

@@Ignatius1972 I gave the album version a listen. Can see why you like it, great production, cleaner, warmer sound, as you'd expect from a studio version. Felt like i liked it a teeny bit more than first listen, but still not really my cup of tea. Cheers for the info though 🙂