Cowboy Junkies w. Ryan Adams

[Kanada Kev]

How was the show? Wish I could have been there. Just wasn't in the cards last night (even though a ticket became available to me)

[Jaimoe]

I'm going to write an off-the-cuff blog/review in a little while. For now, it was a good show and low-key love-in.

[phishtaper]

it was a good show and low-key love-in.

well said.

im glad i went. was a nice evening.

[AD]

The Toronto Sun gave it 4 stars out of 5

TORONTO - It was 20 years ago that Toronto alt-roots act Cowboy Junkies released their breakthrough and still most beloved album, The Trinity Session, a combination of Velvet Underground and Hank Williams covers, traditionals, and original material that was recorded in one day at The Church of Holy Trinity.

"It was a really, really good day - our lives were never the same," said singer Margo Timmons at Massey Hall on Saturday night, quoting her mother, in front of a packed audience.

The two-decade anniversary has already been commemorated with a Trinity Revisited CD/DVD released last year that featured the foursome back in their old stomping grounds with famous pals Ryan Adams, Natalie Merchant and Vic Chesnutt along for the ride.

So last night's show at Massey Hall, mere blocks from the church where it all started, featuring Margo with her brothers Michael and Peter Timmins on lead guitar and drums, respectively, and bassist Alan Anton, playing the album again in its entirety, plus a four song encore including Neil Young's Powderfinger, was essentially a continuation of the Trinity lovefest.

Sadly, Adams, who had been billed as a part of Saturday night's lineup was "really, really sick," as Timmins explained, so he didn't appear on stage.

And while he's a hit-and-miss live performer, it would have been nice to see the undisputedly talented Adams interact with the laid-back Junkies, no doubt on his best behavior.

However, the group, with longtime session player Peter Bird on harmonica and mandolin, and an accordion player named Yarrow from Sudbury who has been playing the instrument for 50 years (his full name was drowned out by applause), didn't disappoint with their hypnotic verging on narcoleptic brand of country-blues-folk-rock over the next hour-and-45-minutes.

Playing The Trinity Session from start to finish meant they opened with Margo - elegantly dressed in a black empire waisted dress with short black cardigan, large black earrings and red high heels- performing an a capella version of the traditional Mining For Gold.

The full band kicked in on the follow-up and audience favourite, Misguided Angel, which was followed by their druggy, electric take of the Rodgers-Hart tune Blue Moon Revisited (Song For Elvis) complete with blinding blue lights on an otherwise stripped down stage save for various bouquets of flowers at Margo's feet which she joked were from, "many, many admirers."

"I've been touring for 20 years and one of the best things about it is the flowers," said the singer. "I make sure they get on the tour bus - it improves the stink coming off the boys."

It should be said that Margo, whose trademark hushed, ethereal vocals were in top form as she favoured draping her hands over her microphone stand, was in equally fine form in between tunes, questioning one fan's choice of the Junkies' To Love Is To Bury as their first wedding song.

"It's about a murder-suicide," she deadpanned.

Then there was the Starbucks employee who noticed her Cowboy Junkies tour parka and said she must be a big fan.

Also worth mentioning was her brother and band songwriter Michael's feedback-laden guitar playing as he sat hunched over both electric and acoustic instruments on such highlights as slowed-down versions of Williams' I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry and the Patsy Cline-popularized Walkin' After Midnight, the hair-raising traditional Working On A Building - if someone hasn't used the Junkies' psychedelic version in a film they should - and of course the Velvet Underground's Sweet Jane.

The atmosphere of the concert had a cool, film-noir, almost David Lynch feel which probably won't come across in its taping for Canada Live on CBC Radio to be broadcast on May 11.

But as Margo ended the set by saying: "We hope to be here for another 20 years," the longevity of this accomplished, often underappreciated, group seemed solidly reinforced.

[NewRider]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but I just got word that Ryan is sick with the flu and has apparently cancelled for tomorrow's show.

I used to get the flu a lot too

Can't wait to read a review Jamoie. I watched Trinity Revisited on Bravo last night and really enjoyed it.