Early 21st Century Blues

Cowboy Junkies | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 16, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Zoe Records
• ASIN: B000A6T2M6
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #62,130 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Nearing the twenty-year mark (their first album, Whites Off Earth Now!!, was released in 1986), Cowboy Junkies have devoted an album to a component that has informed their identity from the beginning: interpreting material written primarily by others. Two of the eleven songs are by Michael Timmins, the rest being arrangements of traditional material ("Two Soldiers" and "No More") and covers by a bracing mix of writers who have exerted an influence on the band over the years (Bob Dylan, John Lennon, George Harrison, Bruce Springsteen, U2, and Richie Havens). Much like gaining insights into someone by gazing at the titles on their bookshelf, these song choices both fit and embellish the already established portrait of Cowboy Junkies. Throughout, Margo Timmins gently unadorned bearing moves subtly between quiet sadness and quiet hopefulness. --David Greenberger

Product Description

In February, 2005 the Cowboy Junkies gathered together for five days of music making at their Clubhouse studio in Toronto. Each band member brought along a handful of their favorite songs by other writers -- songs which focused on the themes of war, violence, fear, greed, ignorance and loss. The atmosphere that week was so magical that the band decided to simply roll tape and document the sessions. The result is Early 21st Century Blues, an album filled with a very special intimacy unmatched since the Junkies released their landmark The Trinity Session album 18 years ago. Early 21st Century Blues features interpretations of songs from artists such as Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and John Lennon, plus two new Junkies originals, and is the Junkies' own "small document of hope" for the times we live in.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, September 18, 2005

By 

Peter G. Andrijeski (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Early 21st Century Blues (Audio CD)

I don't know what it is about when the Junkies just gather for a really brief time and let the tape roll, but this is probably my favorite release after Trinity Session. The spare eloquence of Michael Timmins' arrangements and the earthy beauty of Margot's voice are here in spades. Even the more offbeat arrangements -- including the "rap" portion on Lennon's song -- worked very well for me.

If you love The Trinity Session, I'd buy this CD now.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The geese look up?, September 21, 2005

By 

Addison Phillips (San Jose, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Early 21st Century Blues (Audio CD)

"Early 21st Century Blues" is, I guess, a cover album from the Cowboy Junkies, if you can imagine that. It is also a war protest album. But, no matter what your politics or deep seated desire for more Michael Timmons penned tunes, it is also a new Cowboy Junkies disc.

I saw the band not long ago (at Mountain Winery), where they were presenting some of the same material you find here. This disc captures the energy and lovely, live, acoustic sound associated with the CJs. While this isn't up to the level of "Open" in my opinion, it is still an amazing album. I mean, sure, Margo Timmons could sing the phonebook and make it sound interesting. And the band plays their instruments just fine. But they really take ownership of many of these songs.

The first Springsteen tune is a bit thin, but the second one is poignant. And the redition of "One" on the last track makes me sing along---and even tear up a bit at that precise moment when Margo's voice reaches a bit singing "one love..."

All in all, another fine work of art.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars For the late nights, August 18, 2005

By 

V. Poon "CD Mellowholic" (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Early 21st Century Blues (Audio CD)

I'm slowly being turned onto the Cowboy Junkies after many attempted tries to really get into their groove. What did it for me was working till late in the evening, when night silences all sound, and the typing on the keyboard is as loud as a jackhammer. That's when I truly discovered the Cowboy Junkies, as an evening companion that truly filled the air with their dulcet tones and sparse laidback vibe. Don't listen to it during your active moments, but listen to it during your moments of quietness, cuz that's when you will truly hear them for all their hushed splendor.