Customer Reviews

Whites Off Earth Now

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I can't remember when it was, but many moons ago a friend loaned me this album and told me I'd love it. The first time I heard it I think a fuse blew in my brain. I was hooked. The Cowboy Junkies first album is a collection of tunes which included Robert Johnson's "Crossroads" and "Me and the Devil" as well
as Bruce Springsteen's "State Trooper" that have been stipped raw and presented in a simple, unpolished fashion. What really got to me was the voice. Margo Timmons is a Goddess. Her voice is sultry and chilling. It cuts right to soul. "Take Me," the only song on the album written by band, is a wonderful tune
that is only of fortaste of things to come from them.
You gotta have this album.... You know you want it!

This album has a sinister sound which must be the aspect that some don't like. Granted, I am just speaking from listening to the audio samples of their other work listed here online, but I prefer WOEN because of its darker ambiance. It's not just sad; it's evil. It talks about killing, the devil, etc. . . . black magic afoot! This is the album to listen to when you're brooding, mad at a lover, or the like. I don't want to hear it all the time, but sometimes it's just perfect. The swinginess of the guitar is perfect.

To start off this is the most bluesy of the Junkies recordings. It is hard to imagine Margo Timmins singing Robert Johnson and John Lee Hooker songs but it comes off great. My favorite songs on the disc are Me and the Devil ( which rivals Robert Johnson's haunting version), Bucca Whites Shining moon a song that when Margo sings reminds you that there is someone who you dream of seeing in the moon light, and Forgive Me which is the most powerful blues song that they have ever covered. Michael's guitar is gritty enough to be blues but clean enough for Margo's vioce. Pete Timmins and Alan Aton are the kings rythum.

If you've just discovered the Cowboy Junkies, this album is essential to your collection. Beautiful, mellow tunes. Put this cd on and let it play all day.

This album is a joy to listen to. Any music fan who has ever sat transfixed by the early delta bluesmen such as Son House and Robert Johnson can appreciate this ambitious collection of covers recorded in a garage using a single microphone. Hearing Bruce Springsteen's "State Trooper" performed by singer Margo Timmins, you start to grasp where Springsteen was headed on his darkest album "Nebraska". The album won't appeal to fans of the Junkies' more conventional albums such as "Black Eyed Man" but this early document of an emerging group provides the connection that exists between Robert Johnson's delta blues and all of rock music that came after. A treasure for the serious music listener......

On a good stereo capable of handling the bass and closely miked guitar, it's chilling.

And in this case it's a lot more. Especially the simplicity of Take Me. This is the CJ's forgotten CD but it should be in everyone's collection.

The Junkies are the best. That woman can sing the blues better than anyone I know. I discovered this magnificent group several years back, what a blessing! Diana

I always return to the Cowboy Junkies's CD's with pleasure. Their first recordings, in the early 90's, produced severe electroshocks in the musical world of that period. It was also a shock to me ! And, from that moment on, I've followed the career of this canadian band through the years.

For a week now, I'm playing in loop their first production WHITES OFF EARTH NOW!! and I'm not getting tired of it. It's possible to hear the nine songs while reading or just admiring the wallpaper of your room with your neurons standing still. There is a certain hypnotic quality in these songs one can't find anywhere else. Don't get me wrong ! I don't say that you will fall asleep after 10 minutes, no way ! the bluesy guitar of Michaël Timmins will always be there to wake you up.

A great first recording.

This is probably some of the best music released by the Cowboy Junkies. Sparse, haunting blues at its best. The song selection and delivery make this a true masterpiece!