Cowboy Junkies

With over a dozen critically acclaimed releases under their belts and millions of albums sold worldwide, Cowboy Junkies belong in the pantheon of Canadian pop music icons that includes Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, and the Tragically Hip. It was 20 years ago that the Toronto-based alternative roots group released their seminal second album, The Trinity Session, a compelling mix of Velvet Underground, Patsy Cline, and Hank Williams covers and original material recorded at Toronto’s Church of Holy Trinity. The release proved to be a breakthrough internationally, and the melancholic mixture of blues, country, folk, and rock styles brought the Junkies both a cult following and critical notice in the U.S. The Los Angeles Times voted the recording one of the best 10 albums of 1988. Last year the group commemorated their two-decade anniversary by releasing Trinity Revisited, a re-recording of the album featuring guest artists Ryan Adams, Vic Chesnutt, and Natalie Merchant. All the while Cowboy Junkies have retained their signature sound—hushed vocals, minimal instrumentation, and a deep, fluid groove. As well, gorgeous melodies and great songwriting continue to characterize the band’s... more...