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06/10/2004 Melancholia in suburbia: Cowboy Junkies in St Albans
Venues like the 750-seater Alban Arena don't host many vital musicians. They major on pop acts from yesteryear, mediums who claim to make contact with the other side, and retired sportsmen reminiscing about the old days. So last night's visit by the Cowboy Junkies, a band briefly popular in the 1980s, but still creating fresh new music and presenting it as living, developing performance art, was warmly welcomed by music fans in the historic market town, 20 miles north of London. The band's set, lasting well over two hours, was split into a delicious acoustic section and a longer, driving electric set. They mixed old favourites (Horse, Townes etc) with some inspired covers of Neil Young and Springsteen classics, as well as promoting their new album, One Soul Now. The four song encore was a particular delight. The material, all from the rootsy/bluesy/country end of the rock spectrum, inhabits a fairly narrow lyrical and emotional range. As singer Margo Timmins freely acknowledges, they tend to do "sad songs". Nothing wrong with that. There's some fine, bleak writing in their catalogue, even if unsuspecting listeners might need to raise their dosage of happy pills following over-long exposure. Timmins is a one-off vocalist. Uniquely, she fuses the voice and sensibilities of a jazz chanteuse with the on-stage persona of a country rock hippy chick. Her smouldering contralto is fixed in a narrow vocal range, but it implies that there's a lot of unused power being kept under leash. Her style is less mannered in live performance than it can seem on disc. At times, she reminds you that she could have been a solo folk or country singer. Thank You, Lord, for small mercies. Brother Michael, writer and guitarist, is clearly the family's musical leader. His guitars last night were captivating, vying constantly with the singer for your full attention. His extended riff on Springsteen's State Trooper was the night's highlight. Mandolin/harmonica and accordion players added to the richly evocative soundscape. The rhythm section, joining for the second half, brought a different feel. (The bass might have been too high in the mix.) Acts like the Cowboy Junkies tend to attract devoted cult followings. From nothing, the musicians have created their own world, following a unique artistic vision. And they make a life - and a living - from sharing it. Not as good a living as the leaders of their pack - Dylan, Young, Morrison et al - because their material lacks the vital spark which would make it more accessible. But make no mistake, this is serious art, to be taken seriously by grown-up music fans. The short UK tour continues in Leeds tonight and then for another couple of weeks. You should try and see them. Recommended recordings: the favourite album of many fans is their second, Trinity Session. Studio is a highly recommended compilation. www.cowboyjunkies.com
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