Travelling back in time proves simply divine

Published on Monday 8 October 2007 12:13

Cowboy Junkies ****

The Queen's Hall

APPARENTLY, the name for Canadian country and rock band Cowboy Junkies came when they were on their way to their very first gig in 1985. Just as well they weren't naming themselves after some of the sights on Clerk Street on Saturday night.

However, inside the Queen's Hall it was a different story entirely, with their first of only four dates in the UK being a truly grown-up affair. Many members of the packed audience likely grew up listening to the band and not a single person made a sound out of place, such was the respect.

Siblings Michael, Peter and Margo Timmins, along with Alan Anton, have released more than 20 albums and some of the fans present may have expected this tour to kick off with songs from their latest, At The End Of Paths Taken. But, lead singer Margo explained to the audience that An Evening With The Cowboy Junkies was a slightly different affair. "If you're hoping to hear Black Eyed Man, you're not going to get it," she said as she told them that they would, in fact, be performing their second - and biggest - album The Trinity Sessions in its entirety.

Originally recorded in one day, using one microphone, their performance of the 1988 album made for a highly enjoyable - and chilled out - way to spend an evening. In fact, it was easy to see the influences of Cowboy Junkies on artists such as Julee Cruise and Tori Amos.

This was an extremely slick and polished performance that was so civilised that Margo even sipped from a china cup between numbers, as she sat beside a bunch of flowers that would make Elton John envious.

A cover version of The Velvet Underground's Sweet Jane, as heard in the movie Natural Born Killers, got a particularly big response, but the most beautiful number was arguably of Hank Williams' I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry.

Despite not having enjoyed much commercial success outside of Canada, their dedicated fans were most definitely rewarded by this rare UK appearance and it's somewhat surprising that their star hasn't shone brighter.