Pale Sun, Crescent Moon

Cowboy Junkies

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 23, 1993)
• Original Release Date: November 23, 1993
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B000002WPK
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #113,429 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
The Cowboy Junkies' Michael Timmins is a most literary songwriter. On the Toronto quartet's Pale Sun Crescent Moon, Timmins imbeds lines from William Faulkner's Absalom, Absalom into the song "First Recollection" and a line from Gabriel Garcia Marquez's "The General in His Labyrinth" in the song "Seven Years" without it seeming the least bit awkward. He has found the perfect literary voice for his writing in his sister Margo Timmins, whose alto is all smoke and suggestion. Songs are not poems, however, and never was that distinction more obvious than it is here. The album's so-called songs float in atmospheric harmonies, unshaped by melody or meter. This droning music may seem haunting on first encounter, but by the third song the melodic monotony encourages dozing. --Geoffrey Himes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Your Second Junkies Stop Is Here, June 29, 2001

By	Erik J. Fortmeyer "beerisjoy" (Brooklyn, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Who doesn't like The Trinity Session? The Cowboy Junkies are defined by that 1987 masterpiece and plenty of radio stations still play their version of Lou Reed's "Sweet Jane" daily. But where next after you've put TTS up on your CD rack? Pale Sun Crescent Moon is that stop. This is a truly fine album made even more credible in that the best songs are entirely their own. Guitarist Michael Timmins' profoundly literate songwriting is made once again to sparkle throughout this album by sister Margo's trademark haunting, ethereal vocals. The mix is rounded out by brother Peter's hypnotic drumming and Alan Anton's undulating bass. Add in timely harmonica, mandolin, piano, and organ to create an ambiance that could enchant to shipwreck even the most stoic landlubber. You would do better with this album to not just let it play half-minded in the background. The band tells a fascinating musical story with each song that will seem muddled if you are not paying attention to the teller. You could miss the quote from William Faulkner or even "Is it better to have words left unsaid than to have words misunderstood?" Standouts include "Crescent Moon", "Ring On the Sill", "Anniversary Song", and "Floorboard Blues".

Don't misunderstand the Junkies. They are subtle and unobtrusive like gold dust beneath the roaring river of commercial music. Pale Sun Crescent Moon is brilliant, and possibly their best album ever but, you could miss it all if you don't buy it! Once you catch on to their siren call, you will, happily, never be the same.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars OPUS FIVE, October 28, 2000

By	wdanthemanw "wdanthemanw" (Geneva, Switzerland) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Unlike the four precedent CD's of the Cowboy Junkies, PALE SUN CRESCENT MOON demands some effort from the listener in order to be fully appreciated. One cannot listen to it while reading for instance. The guitars of Michaël Timmins and Ken Myhr sound way louder than in BLACK-EYED MAN and often hide the subtle melodies written by Michaël.

As always, the lyrics are of the highest quality and deserve the full attention of the fan. Some of us are going to regret the hypnotical quality of the sound of THE TRINITY SESSION that became the trademark of the Cowboy Junkies but Margo's sad and melancholic voice is still here and you cannot deny to the band the right to explore new musical territories.

ON THE SILL and ANNIVERSARY SONG are, in my opinion, pure masterpieces but I didn't like so much songs like SEVEN YEARS or THE POST, the music destroying the purity of Margo's voice. Ten songs out of twelve have been written by Michaël Timmins and the electrical flavour of the CD owes a lot to the guitarist Ken Myhr. Other musical guests include Jeff Bird with his mandolin and Richard Bell at the piano.

A CD deserving to be rediscovered.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Haunting music, May 13, 1998

By A Customer

This album is easily as good as "The Trinity Session," however, don't expect the same kind of sound! This one isn't quite as country-ish, but it's got a soulful sound that gets under your skin. "Hunted," a song about women in threatening situations, has a low, slow sound that is almost haunting. Yet it's counteracted by such songs as "The Anniversary Song" which is distinctly more upbeat (well, as upbeat as the Cowboy Junkies get). Margo Timmins's voice shines in this weighty songs and the blues undertones are still here. Perfect rainy day music.