'Neath Your Covers (part 1) - Cowboy Junkies

First, let me say that I bought this latest Cowboy Junkies disc mostly to get my hands on the EP of covers. I was dying to hear Margo Timmins' sultry voice set against one of my all-time favorite songs: Thunder Road.

I was not disappointed. They turn in a fine folk-rockish version that waits until just the right moment to 'let go'. Seriously, I get goosebumps during those conclusive chords post-"..pulling out of here to win."

Thunder Road is followed by a Neil Young-ish take on the Cure nugget "Seventeen Seconds". Creepy & scary.

But then, after the relative cheerfulness of Townes Van Zandt's "Lungs", the Junkies drop right back into the shimmering doom of Jesse Colin Young's "Darkness, Darkness."

And what was that about Neil Young? This version of "Helpless" recalls Young and Joni Mitchell during The Band's Last Waltz concert. Very powerful.

I haven't even listened to One Soul Now yet...but this EP makes me feel like I've gotten my money's worth already.

(First posted on Mark Is Cranky)