Cowboy Junkies
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All the Reckoning
For 33 years, the Cowboy Junkies have played rock/blues/country/folk music that has not grown old for those of uslucky enough to hear of this fabulous Toronto based four piece band. Amazingly, the composition of the band has remained unchanged. It is made up of three siblings—Margo Timmins (singer), Michael Timmins (songwriter and guitarist) and Peter Timmins (drummer). Alan Anton (bassist) completes the makeup
While it has been six years since their last album, the new album ‘All that Reckoning’ is likely to rank amongst their best. This album is a reminder of what popular adult rock music used to be about. It is guitar (both acoustic and electric) driven, the lyrics are often insightful and meaningful, and the melodies are hummable. The understated beat and plentiful hooks will stay with you.
The album’s songs are a mix of buzzing guitar and quieter, country/rock tracks. The constants are Michael Timmins’ significant songwriting talents and his guitar style, and the clear and unmistakable voice of graceful Margo Timmins, who ensures that we don’t need to find a lyric sheet to appreciate the songs’ poetry, commentary and stories.
This album is an excellent introduction to this band’s backlist of over twenty albums and numerous classic songs. While the sound on all the albums is unmistakably Cowboy Junkies, the albums also exhibit subtle differences in style. For example, on their 1988 ‘Trinity Sessions’ album, the songs are more country in style – more like fellow Canadian, Neil Young. On the other hand, the band displays greater versatility on their 2005, ‘Early 21st Century Blues’ album, covering songs made famous by artists such as John Lennon, U2 and Bruce Springsteen.
But, be warned – since a Canadian friend and colleague introduced me to the Cowboy Junkies in 2001, I have felt compelled to acquire all their music.
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