Music review - Cowboy Junkies - Songs of Recollection

Cowboy Junkies have always been a diverse and eclectic musical group – Making their way with their unique blend of alternative, country and folk styles. So it should be no surprise that they have come forward on their latest release with a grouping of songs that inspired them along their way.

Songs of Recollection is a nine-track treat that is filled with covered versions of tunes by the likes of David Bowie, Gram Parsons, Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, plus fellow Canadians Neil Young & Gordon Lightfoot and more.

That can sometimes become a tricky proposition - Covering songs as well known and beloved as Bowie’s “Five Years”, “No Expectations” from Mick & Keith, and Neil Young’s “Don’t Let It Bring You Down” are acts of bravery that should earn anyone medals just for the attempt. They’re not gonna replace the originals in your affections, but the strings and guitar crescendo and suitably regretful and resigned vocal that close out one of Bowie’s finest tunes – The keening slide, the tasteful drums and the plaintive piano, on what was basically a Robert Johnson cover by the Stones in the first place, is an admirable take on a classic - The tremolo and gentle guitar work develop into a fairly satisfying finale for Neil Young's forlorn classic. Gram Parsons’ “Ooh Las Vegas”, which was previously available on the excellent 1999 tribute album, Return of the Grievous Angel, benefits from a more radical reinterpretation with its scatter-gun slide guitar and the slightly unnerving feeling that the singer is now a ghost haunting the desert after a trip to sin city ended badly. The band also earns a few bonus points by selecting a few ‘off-the-radar’ cuts to cover. A case in point might be their take on one of the best Bob Dylan song of the last several years with “I’ve Made Up My Mind To Give Myself To You”, or “The Way I Feel” from Gordon Lightfoot, as well as “Seventeen Seconds” which was originally done by the Cure.

Just an unexpected gem of a release that deserves as many ears as possible. Interested listeners can check some of these songs performed live when the Junkies come to the Ardmore Music Hall on Saturday, April 9th – Well worth the effort to get out & experience the magic for yourself!

Here’s their take on David Bowie's "Five Years"…