This page intends to give all fans club's members the opportunity to communicate to others their opinions, or their feelings. Here I will host short articles, advices, letters, info requests, that fans club's members consider interesting for other fans. I will publish, on my judgement, everything is inherent to Cowboy Junkies, according to precise instructions.
I remind everybody that for shorter messages or requests (and for space and updating frequency problems), I would like all fans to use my guestbook (access from home page) as a message board.
I thank everybody for the nice letters, though I regret to say that I won't be able to reply to all of them.
Please understand that I'm a fan just as you are, and I have a very busy "real life" too...
P.S.: Don't look for a nice formatting or graphics in here... this is a workshop!
To become a member of the fan club, all you need to do is to type your e-mail address in the appropriate box in the main index page and press join. You will then immediately receive a welcome message you have to reply to (just to be sure that it is really you who want to register). At the moment of the registration you will be asked several questions. You are not obliged to answer!
Using the guestbook or the forum:
One thing I am quite happy about is how everybody is using the guestbook and the forum. This short advice is to further invite you to participate, and to help other fans. If you see a request, and you know how to help, send him/her an e-mail or (better) reply on the guestbook or on the forum. There are good chances you'll have a new friend!
In this occasion, I take the opportunity to thank all the people who signed the guestbook and the forum (or just visited them)
Article 1 - Me and the Cowboy Junkies - By Maurizio:
My first cd by CJ was "The Trinity Session". I'm really fond of music, as I am victim of an elder borother who instructed me in my very early years (first LP he bought for me with my money: Lou Reed - "Rock'n'roll animal" when I was 6!! Lost innocence! First song I ever loved: "Sweet Jane" Just a case?) with old records by Led Zeppelin, Stones, Zappa... The Trinity Session represented one of the times I was the one to make him listen to something great. And he immediately loved CJ almost as much as I do.
After that cd came all the others, including the republishing of "Whites off earth now!". And I bought them the same day they came out, without any pre-listening or magazine reviews. When I said that to Margo, the last time she was in my hometown for a concert, she smiled and thanked me. And her eyes said the same thing.
I was so embarassed and trembling to talk to her, and believe me: she's so wonderful she can make you fall in love with a glance. But it was a quick nice chat, one of these days I'll tell you more about it.
Wanna see the autograph she made me?
Letter 1 - Lyrics of "Hard to explain" - By Jennifer Houser:
Thanks for the great site!! It's wonderful that there are people with
enough intelligence (and taste!) to put together sites like this.I'm sure that you have gotten several replies to your request for the
lyrics to "Hard to Explain" but in case you haven't here they are (as
well as I can understand them)
If it isn't one thing
I tell you it's always another
I wondered why
I started treating you like a step-brother
Lord, it's so hard to explain
I know my loss is someone else's gain
Sometimes life is like a bitter pill
But we just have to take it like it is
Sometimes love is the sweetest thing
Sometimes it's just naked pain
Oh, it's so hard to explain
I know my loss is someone else's gain
My trouble started when I found you
But that's when I built my world around you
And now my living ain't so easy
I thought that's what a woman was supposed to do
You see, it's so hard to explain
I know my life is someone else's gain
I went to see my doctor
'Cause I thought I had a whole in my heart
But he said "Girl, you're just wasting my time
Because some man messed up, went and messed up your mind"
And it's so hard to explain
I know my loss is someone else's gain
Oh Lord! It's so hard to explain
It'll make you forget your name
It'll turn you upside down
It'll make you wish that you'd never been found
If I can help you with anything let me know. Thanks again for providing
a great site with tons of information!
Jen Jennifer Houser jhouser@kidsmail.lth2.k12.il.us
Thanks to Hawk too
Letter 2 (22/07/97)- Great news! - By David Houghton:
hi cjfan,
the site looks great. probably the best source for junkies info on the web.
just wanted you to know the band is working hard on a new record,
probably for release early next year.
all the best,
david
Letter 3 (26/07/97)- Lyrics of "Lost my driving wheel" - By Hawk:
Here they are :) [...]
Just came up on the Midnight Special
Hey, how 'bout that
My car broke down in Texas
She stopped dead in her tracks
Just called to tell you that I need you
Just called to tell you how I feel
I feel like some old engine That's lost my driving wheel
They took my money on the night train north, What a terrible thing
I gave my promise that I'd be there with you, by Saturday night
I want to tell you that I need you
I need to tell you how I feel
Can't say much in a phone call babe, you know how it is.
I have to tell you one short thing, oh wont you listen to this
I want to tell you that I love you, babe
I want to tell you just how I feel
Rob "Hawk" Ireland hawk@multiboard.com
Letter 4 (31/12/97)- Concert on 30/12/97 and the new album - By Eric Owen:
Greetings,
As always, thanks for a great page. Yours is one of the best.
I thought I might pass along some info to you. My wife and I went to see the
Cowboy Junkies play at the 9:30 club in Washington DC last nigt, 12-30-97.
They took time off from their new album and played last night and tonight for
a new years festivity. Like most all of their shows, this one was excellent.
The show consisted mainly of old favorites spanning all of their past albums.
They also played about four or five songs off their new album. According
to Margo, this was the first time they've ever played them live, outside of the studio.
It showed too, she forgot some of the words and had to read the lyrics out of
their song book. In typical Margo fashion, she joked about it and laughed
about her lack of memory. The new album will be called "Miles from my home" or
"Miles away from home". She said that recording is complete and it should
be out very soon. They played the title track with the same name along with "No Birds" and
"Final Feet". "Miles" was by far my favorite, it has a similar temp and
flavor to "Common Disaster". The other two were much slower tempo with a
dark feel to them. "Final Feet" was dedicated to her grandfather. Margo
also mentioned that her brother Micheal will actually be singing on the new
album. The show was scaled down quite a bit. It only consisted of the four
band members. Margo said Jeff Bird and the rest of the crew will return on
their next tour early next year.
Take care,
Eric Owen, Richmond,Va.
timbuk@mindspring.com
Letter 5: Concert at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano - By Elbert:
It's great to see another great CJ site. I just had the pleasure of seeing
them perform here in So.Calif a few nites ago at the Coach House in San Juan
Capistrano.Iv'e been to about 4 or 5 of their performances. Became a fan back
about 1989 or so after seeinf them on Saturday Nite Live. I fell in love then
with them (or Margo, I'm not quite sure which).
Their performance was one of the best I've ever seen. They performed 2 or 3
new songs that will be on their upcoming new album, to be released about June
'98. One was called "No Birds Today", that could be a tenetative title
though.Dont recall the names of the others but all were very good.
Margo made her usual post performance apperance to greet fans. I must
sheepishly admit I become a weak in the teenager when I hug her. She really is
a sweet person, very warm. Got my picture taken with her on this last
occasion, as also did my wife.
Had a great opening act too, a girl named Shannon McNally, if you like the
Junkies, probably like her too. It was a very good choice for an opening act,
her music blends in well with CJ's.
Elbert
Pharo1829@aol.com
Letter 6: About two shows in San Juan Capistrano - By Mike Bogan:
Great Page!
I caught two of the shows in San Juan Capistrano this last weekend.
Great shows, as usual.
They played two songs from the new album, and Margo mentioned that the
new album has been pushed back until June.
The set was similar both nights, except for a few songs. I was
especially pleased to hear them play Crescent Moon,
which they didn't play when I saw them on the Lay It Down tour. If you
or anyone else is interested in a set list,
I can post it. There were some technical difficulties both nights. The
first night Michael kepy breaking strings. The second night Margo's
headset transmitter kept falling off of her dress. Margo also forgot
several lyrics, and had a little trouble remembering the melody to Blue
Moon. But both shows were excellent, and well worth the trip from
Indiana.
Thanks,
Michael
mbogan@maxim-it.com
Letter 7: LA/UCLA Review - By Alyson Dutch:
Saw the CJ's at Royce Hall at UCLA in Los Angeles last week.
It's the first time I've seen them. My beau and I found a couple of 3 row seats at the last minute. Sitting through the concert, I realized that I have all their albums, know all the songs and am completely in love with this band. Their music makes me dream; it opens my heart and let creativity just flow through my veins. Am I the only one who feels this way?
I heard the CJ's for the first time last winter when I was driving home from the mountains after a hard day of skiing. For the first time, the 4 hour Sunday night drive in traffic didn't even bother me, as I was in a reverie listening to Trinity Sessions.
The concert at UCLA was fab. Almost all of the 3500 seats in this pretty little auditorium were filled. Two women who are Margo's backup singers opened with a few songs; I can't remember their names: one gal with short, straight bright blond retro hair and the other with should length flower child looking golden locks. But, the music was so similar to the CJ's that I kept turning to my date and saying "is that them?" Before this experience, I didn't know what the CJ's looked like or what they're names were.
The opening set was a little folksier, and smaller instrumentation that the CJ's.
The CJ's set was about 2 hours. The music was creamy and the mixed just perfectly. I almost felt like I was in studio. Margo cut her hair (apparently) and was looking sexy in a long, flowered sheath dress that, in the back, was cut to the small of her back. An audience member shouted out "nice hair" and she told us how different it was to not have hair to hide behind. She told funny stories about being on the road with too many men and praised her new female backup singers. Told the audience how happy she was, after 12 years, to be surrounded by some female energy and kidded that they were both "baaaad women..."
Letter 8: My review of the LA/UCLA show - By Janette Segui:
Continuing on their "Miles From Our Home" tour, the Cowboy Junkies
landed in Southern California.
Their show at the UCLA Royce Hall was
just...PHENOMENAL!
The hall itself had a certain organic spirit to it that
amplified the 3500+ crowd in attendance. The Cowboy Junkies have the Ohio
band, "Over the Rhine" opening for them during this tour. This great band is
also helping out the Cowboy Junkies during their set as well, and this has
proven to be a very melodically successful venture.
After the opening act'sset, the Cowboy Junkies stepped on stage and began the 2 hour set with "Blue
Guitar." There was dramatic lighting and effects that served to heighten the
feeling of the songs. They performed about 7 of the 10 songs on the "Miles
For Our Home" CD, like "New Dawn Coming," "Good Friday" (Margo's favorite song
on this new album) and "Darkling Days." The audience was laid back, taking in
Margo's voice, yet there were several amusing audience outbursts. The first
one was a comment about Margo's great new hairstyle, to which Margo gratefully
thanked the fan, saying that he was the first person to have mentioned her new
haircut. Later on, another fan, in response to Michael's wonderful guitar
playing made the comment, "Make that guitar sing Michael." He was amused (and
actually smiled) and so was Margo. Margo spoke with the audience about life
on the road, and made a hilariously funny comment about the video games that
the guys play. Other highlights included an acoustic set, with acoustic
renditions of "Anniversary Song," and "Something More Besides You." Other
songs performed were: "Hunted," "A Common Disaster," "Bea's Song," "Sun
Comes Up, It's Tuesday Morning," "Blue Moon" and the encore was "Lost My
Driving Wheel." Jeff Bird was there, helping out on mandolin and like I
mentioned before, "Over The Rhine" would come in on certain songs, like
"Darkling Days" to help Margo with the harmonies. Their keyboardist, Linford
Detweiler, helped out throughout the entire Cowboy Junkies' set.
After the show, Margo chitchatted with the fans, signed autographs
and took pictures.
Just as a side note: at the show, they were handing out postcards for the
Cowboy Junkies mailing list. FINALLY!!! :-) Over all, the show was too GREAT
for words. I've a feeling I've left out some songs, but hey, bear with me,
I'm only human! I can't wait to see them again here in LA.
Janette Segui
Jazzydevil@aol.com
Letter 9: Burlington review - By Stephane Giroux:
Hello Maurizio,
I saw the show in Burlington last night. They played at the Flynn Theatre.
Burlington is a small (and beautiful) college town in Vermont, a 90 minute drive
from Montreal.
Here`s a quick review
Great show once again, even if the place only had half of its 1400 capacity. The
crowd was mostly students, altough there were a number of much older people.
Over the Rhine opened the show. It was my first exposure to that band from
Ohio. They`re great and share more than one thing in common with CJ. Very
smooth, mellow sound that`s a tad more commercial than CJ. It's also less blues
and more MOR. Audience approved loudly.
Their singers Karen and Terry, along with the keyboard player and their guitarist
later joined CJ on at least half the songs.
They opened with Sun Comes Up, with only Michael and Margo onstage. It was
sublime. The simplicity of just one guitar rejuvenated the song. They did the
same thing later in the set with Something More Besides You and Anniversary
Song. Margo said that the night before in Northampton, a bride left a wedding
ceremony fully dressed in her gown to catch the show! And she was invited
onstage for Anniversary Song. "Our new wedding song," Margo is reported to have
said.
Funny moments included Margo thanking a fellow CJ fan named Ed, who apparently
sends her roses at every concert. In fact, there were flowers every where on
stage last night, not just by her table.
I spoke to Ed after the show and he says he`s seen most of the east-coast shows
so far. he reports that the band changes their set list nightly. A good excuse
to follow them around
At some point during the show, there were nine musicians onstage, including the
four from Over the Rhine. It made the newest songs, particularly Miles from our
Home and Good Friday, sound really powerful. Yet Margo never lost her emotional
edge, and she was at her peak during Bea`s Song (which she called her personal
favorite), No Birds and Blue Moon. Michael attacked his guitar with rare
intensity during that one.
I was quite pleased to hear Lost My Driving Wheel as set closer.
All in all, a great show, and certainly a lot tighter than last time I saw them
on July 1st. I can`t wait to see them again on the 24th here in Montreal.
BTW Margo once again took the time to meet everyone and sign autographs after the
show. Someone handed me a poster for Miles from our Homes and I got it signed.
Remember CJ fans before you go to your show: bring your camera, discs, photos
etc...
Ciao,
Stephane
stephane@cartier-giroux.com
Article 2: Pre-review of Rarities, B-Sides and Slow, Sad Waltzes - By Maurizio:
This is certainly going to be another five-star album. I have already
listened to seven out of ten of these songs, they are rarities and B-sides
which have already been released, and I can say that they are certainly
amongst the finest CJ recordings. There are three unreleased songs, which I'm
really looking forward to listening to.
There are certainly other top-class songs which could have been included in
this collection, such as Dead Flowers, Captain Kidd, In The Long Run, Let Me
Call You Sweetheart, Lungs, Tired Eyes, and God knows how many other
brilliant rarities, outtakes, alternate versions. In my opinion the choices
are excellent though, and who knows, maybe if this record will be successful
as it deserves to be, there will be a volume two sometime in the future. I
consider this record as a present to all of us fans, and it is certainly
worth it every penny (cent). I will not miss it.
01 - I Saw Your Shoes
Previously unreleased song. From Amazon's review: "Even when they get a bit
noisy, as on I Saw Your Shoes, it's a sparse noise, made more by volume than
by density."
02 - Five Room Love Story (Michael and Margo Timmins) - 5:19
Originally released in the UK single "A horse in the country," 1992
Slow and very melancholy song, essentially structured on vocals, guitar and
piano, inspired by a newspaper article about a discouraged widowed old man
who lived with his wife in a 5 room apartment. Lyrics available in the lyrics
page.
03 - Sad To See The Season Go (Michael Timmins) - 5:18
Originally released in the benefit multiple artist compilation "30 Hour
Famine," 1998
This song belongs to the Maiden's Mills sessions which took to the release of
"Miles From Our Home," and like the others it is very full-sounding and with
some overdubs. Brilliant song. Lyrics available in the lyrics page.
04 - If You Gotta Go, Go Now (Bob Dylan) - 3:07
Originally released in the UK single "Southern rain," 1992
This great cover of the 1965 Dylan's song does not really sound like a
typical CJ song. Very rhythmical, it features guitar, harmonica and piano
following each other, prominent drums, and rockish vocals. Lyrics available
in the lyrics page.
05 - Love's Still There (Michael and Margo Timmins) - 3:36
Originally released in the promo single "Pale sun," 1993
In my opinion, one of the more countryish sounding CJ songs. Nice and simple.
Lyrics available in the lyrics page.
06 - To Lay Me Down (R. Hunter and J.Garcia, i.e Grateful Dead) - 5:18
Originally released in the benefit tribute album "Deadicated," 1991
Terrific cover song, I remember somebody voting it as favourite CJ song ever.
Very slow, with Margo at her very best. Enough to justify the purchase of the
whole album. Lyrics available in the lyrics page.
07 - A Few Simple Words
Previously unreleased song.
08 - River Waltz
Previously unreleased song, it is the first part of Mike's River song trilogy
(the last one has not been released yet).
09 - Leaving Normal (Michael Timmins) - 3:52
Originally released with the Australian single "Anniversary song," 1993
This one sounds much more as a PSCM song than Love's Still There. Great
typical CJ song. Lyrics available in the lyrics page.
10 - The Water Is Wide (Traditional) - 3:17
Originally released in the official soundtrack of the "The River Wild" and as
a promo single in 1994.
Really nice arrangement in this traditional ballad, with guitars, harmonica
and mandolin. It's one of the best exhibitions of Margo's powerful vocal
skill.
Letter 10: Gram Parsons tunes - By Tony:
Hi Maurizio,
My name is Tony. I had a funny story to share concerning the Junkies and
their playing of a Gram Parsons song at a concert during the, I believe,
Black Eyed Man Tour.
I live in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA where many people are, putting it nicely, less-than-hip about music. My wife and I were at Junkies show in a small venue and during one of the songs had made our way towards the front of the stage to get a better look at the proceedings. As the song ended and the applause died down, the audience (for a change)
became very, very quiet as to hear Margo introduce the next song.
She did so by saying, "Our next song is by one of our favorite artists, the late
Gram Parsons..." At this point, being huge fans of Gram, my wife and I began
to loudly voice our approval much like the crowd does on the Cowboy Junkies
Live EP.
The problem this night was that not another single soul in the
entire club made a sound-- nothing-- just my wife and I in the middle of the
room loudly clapping and yelling. Needless to say, we were very, very
embarrassed! Luckily, Margo came to our rescue: She stopped in mid
sentence, smiled really big, gave us a wave and said, "Thanks you guys" and
giggled at the absurdity of the moment-- apparently nobody else knew who
Gram was-- only in Indiana!
We've never forgotten that night and later were
lucky enough to meet the band and they were just wonderful. 'Thought you'd
find our embarrassing moment funny! I'll be looking forward to hearing their
version of "Ooh Las Vegas"-- should be great! See you later!
cowboyjunkies.com/ pdx show - By Stacy:
hi maurizio,
if you care to post a short review of their concert, on follows this.
leo kottke opened with a great guitar set and his wonderful anecdotes between songs.
the junkies came on without much fanfare and just started playing. they turned their music up a notch, rock-wise, on all but a few songs. (set list follows) they showcased much of their rarities album, with an endearing dedication for five room love story. they parred down their band for a few songs - misguided angel, powderfinger, and final feet (which was the first of a few encore songs) michael sang a bit in this last song too - i think it was the first time i heard his voice (btw, he was hanging out near the memorabilia stand before the show, in clear sight of awe-struck fans like me) i think they shocked the crowd with louder renditions of saw your shoes, leaving normal, and if you gotta go (all off
the new album) and people were up and dancing - which margo thought was rare in all their years of playing. the version of sweet jane began more like a lou reed version with a wild guitar solo that meandered its way to the song. i recall someone mentioning on www.cowboyjunkies.com that they close with to live is to fly, which they did, and it was wonderful to hear it live - such energy and positive twist on tvz's piece. final feet, dedicated to their grandfather, had just margo and michael on stage for a slower, meditative look at losing
someone.
two musicians from over the rhine accompanied the cowboy junkies on keyboard and backup vocals/ acoustic guitar. jeff bird also played and amazed the crowd with his versatile playing.
southern rain
cheap is how i heel
sun comes up
few simple words
common disaster
hold on
five room story
leaving normal
highway kind (tvz cover - i don't think the cjs have recorded this)
saw your shoes
misguided angel
powderfinger
sweet jane
miles from our home
to live is to fly
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