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This Complete List Of The Cowboy Junkies Albums And Songs presents the full discography of Cowboy Junkies studio albums. The Cowboy Junkies are a Canadian alternative country/blues/folk rock band that was formed in Toronto, Ontario in 1985. The band was founded by Michael Timmins, the primary songwriter and guitarist, along with his siblings Margo Timmins (vocalist) and Peter Timmins (drummer). Bassist Alan Anton completed the lineup. They quickly gained attention in the local scene for their unique blend of folk, blues, and rock, spiced with a touch of country.
The Trinity Session (1988)
Their breakthrough came with their 1988 album, “The Trinity Session,” which was recorded in Toronto’s Church of the Holy Trinity in just one day with the help of a single microphone. This album included their famous cover of The Velvet Underground’s “Sweet Jane” and became a critical and commercial success, gaining them an international following.
Caution Horses and Black-Eyed Man (1990–1992)
The early ’90s saw the release of albums like “The Caution Horses” (1990) and “Black-Eyed Man” (1992), where they delved deeper into storytelling and experimented with various musical textures. “The Caution Horses,” in particular, displayed a significant shift towards a more acoustic and laid-back style.
Lay It Down and Miles From Our Home (1996–1998)
In 1996, “Lay It Down” was released to critical acclaim. This album was a balanced mixture of folk, blues, and rock and became one of their most successful projects. “Miles from Our Home” in 1998 followed a similar trajectory but included elements of pop, taking the band in yet another direction.
2000s: Diverse Directions
The 2000s saw them releasing a variety of albums including “Open” (2001), “One Soul Now” (2004), and “Early 21st Century Blues” (2005), each marking a step in their constant evolution. They continued to mix genres and themes, constantly defying categorization.
The Nomad Series (2010–2012)
Between 2010 and 2012, the Cowboy Junkies released a four-volume set of albums known as The Nomad Series. This ambitious project allowed them to explore different musical styles and themes, reaffirming their status as musical chameleons.
Recent Years
In more recent years, albums like “All That Reckoning” (2018) and “Ghosts” (2020) have been released. “Ghosts,” in particular, was a nod to their long-time fans and served as a fundraising effort during the COVID-19 pandemic. Of course, the band just does not stop as they continue to release material in the post-pandemic era.
COWBOY JUNKIES STUDIO ALBUMS
Whites Off Earth Now!!
Released 1986
This was Cowboy Junkies’ debut album, showcasing their unique blend of blues, country, and folk. It received modest attention upon its release but set the stage for their more successful ventures in the future.
The album featured Margo Timmins on vocals, Michael Timmins on guitar, Alan Anton on bass, and Peter Timmins on drums. Produced by Peter Moore, the album was recorded at Studio 547, Toronto, Canada, in June 1986.
CD Track Listings:
- “Shining Moon” – 4:03
- “State Trooper” – 2:41
- “Me and the Devil” – 6:32
- “Decoration Day” – 7:43
- “Baby Please Don’t Go” – 5:00
- “I’ll Never Get Out of These Blues Alive” – 5:24
- “Take Me” – 3:37
- “Forgive Me” – 5:22
The Trinity Session
Released 1988
This is Cowboy Junkies’ second album and by far their most famous. It was recorded at Toronto’s Church of the Holy Trinity, lending the album its name. The acoustics of the church and the band’s minimalist style created a haunting, atmospheric sound. The album achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success.
The album features the same lineup as their debut: Margo Timmins on vocals, Michael Timmins on guitar, Alan Anton on bass, and Peter Timmins on drums. Produced by Peter Moore, it was recorded in a single day on November 27, 1987.
CD Track Listings:
- “Mining for Gold” – 1:34
- “Misguided Angel” – 4:58
- “Blue Moon Revisited (Song for Elvis)” – 4:31
- “I Don’t Get It” – 4:34
- “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” – 5:24
- “To Love Is to Bury” – 5:20
- “200 More Miles” – 5:29
- “Dreaming My Dreams with You” – 4:28
- “Working on a Building” – 4:46
- “Sweet Jane” – 3:32
- “Postcard Blues” – 4:55
- “Walkin’ After Midnight” – 5:56
The Caution Horses
Released 1990
This album continued the band’s characteristic introspective, laid-back style, and while it did not achieve the commercial success of “The Trinity Session,” it was highly praised by critics.
The lineup remained the same, with an addition of Jaro Czerwinec on accordion. Produced by Michael Timmins, the album was recorded at Eastern Sound, Toronto, between June and July 1989.
CD Track Listings:
- “Sun Comes Up, It’s Tuesday Morning” – 4:31
- “‘Cause Cheap Is How I Feel” – 4:16
- “Thirty Summers” – 4:13
- “Mariner’s Song” – 6:19
- “Powderfinger” – 5:44
- “Where Are You Tonight?” – 5:04
- “Witches” – 2:41
- “Rock and Bird” – 3:52
- “Escape Is So Simple” – 5:14
- “You Will Be Loved Again” – 3:26
Black Eyed Man
Released 1992
The band’s fourth studio album, “Black Eyed Man,” saw them take a slightly different musical direction, incorporating more rock elements but maintaining their core folk and country influences. The album received favorable reviews and charted in various countries.
The lineup was consistent with their previous releases. Produced by Michael Timmins, the album was recorded at Chemical Sound, Toronto, in the second half of 1991.
CD Track Listings:
- “Southern Rain” – 4:50
- “Oregon Hill” – 4:14
- “This Street, That Man, This Life” – 3:17
- “A Horse in the Country” – 4:17
- “If You Were the Woman and I Was the Man” – 3:37
- “Murder, Tonight, in the Trailer Park” – 4:25
- “Black Eyed Man” – 3:21
- “Winter’s Song” – 3:36
- “The Last Spike” – 4:26
- “Cowboy Junkies Lament” – 3:12
- “Townes’ Blues” – 2:51
- “To Live Is to Fly” – 4:53
Pale Sun, Crescent Moon
Released 1993
This album represents a significant departure for Cowboy Junkies, leaning heavily into alternative country and rock elements while maintaining their signature laid-back, bluesy sound. The album didn’t achieve significant chart success, but it received positive reviews from critics and remains a fan favorite.
The album features Margo Timmins on vocals, Michael Timmins on guitar, Alan Anton on bass, and Peter Timmins on drums. Produced by Michael Timmins, it was recorded at Eastern Sound, Toronto, in May and June 1993.
CD Track Listings:
- “Crescent Moon” – 5:01
- “First Recollection” – 3:44
- “Ring on the Sill” – 4:24
- “Anniversary Song” – 3:10
- “White Sail” – 4:18
- “Seven Years” – 4:42
- “Pale Sun” – 3:20
- “The Post” – 4:26
- “Cold Tea Blues” – 2:56
- “Hard to Explain” – 4:17
- “Hunted” – 3:42
- “Floorboard Blues” – 4:14
Lay It Down
Released 1996
“Lay It Down” sees Cowboy Junkies continuing to explore the boundaries of alternative country, blues, and folk. The album reached No. 52 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and No. 10 on the UK Albums Chart, making it one of their most commercially successful albums.
Featuring Margo Timmins on vocals, Michael Timmins on guitar, Alan Anton on bass, and Peter Timmins on drums, the album was produced by John Leckie. It was recorded at The Manor, Oxfordshire, England, between April and June 1996.
CD Track Listings:
- “Something More Besides You” – 3:35
- “A Common Disaster” – 3:21
- “Lay It Down” – 4:20
- “Hold on to Me” – 3:21
- “Come Calling (His Song)” – 3:32
- “Just Want to See” – 4:11
- “Lonely Sinking Feeling” – 4:02
- “Angel Mine” – 4:59
- “Bea’s Song (River Song Trilogy: Part II)” – 4:30
- “Musical Key” – 4:05
- “Speaking Confidentially” – 4:24
- “Come Calling (Her Song)” – 3:33
- “Now I Know” – 3:09
Miles from Our Home
Released 1998
“Miles from Our Home” continues in the vein of their previous work, blending alternative country and rock influences with a touch of blues. However, it received a mixed critical reception and failed to achieve the same level of commercial success as its predecessor.
Featuring Margo Timmins on vocals, Michael Timmins on guitar, Alan Anton on bass, and Peter Timmins on drums, it was produced by John Leckie and Cowboy Junkies. The album was recorded at Town Music Studios, Toronto, in November and December 1997.
CD Track Listings:
- “New Dawn Coming” – 4:43
- “Blue Guitar” – 3:47
- “Miles from Our Home” – 4:35
- “Good Friday” – 4:00
- “Darkling Days” – 3:59
- “Hollow as a Bone” – 3:58
- “Someone out There” – 3:12
- “The Summer of Discontent” – 5:13
- “No Birds Today” – 4:14
- “Those Final Feet” – 5:26
Open
Released 2001
The Cowboy Junkies returned with “Open,” an album that tends to be more melancholic and introspective compared to its predecessors. The album received positive critical reviews but didn’t achieve high chart placements.
The musicians involved are the same as the previous albums, with Margo Timmins on vocals, Michael Timmins on guitar, Alan Anton on bass, and Peter Timmins on drums. Produced by Michael Timmins, the album was recorded at The Clubhouse, Toronto, in May and June 2000.
CD Track Listings:
- “I Did It All for You” – 5:10
- “Dragging Hooks (River Song Trilogy: Part III)” – 7:49
- “Bread and Wine” – 4:29
- “Upon Still Waters” – 4:15
- “Dark Hole Again” – 4:15
- “Thousand Year Prayer” – 4:17
- “I’m So Open” – 4:07
- “Small Swift Birds” – 2:53
- “Beneath the Gate” – 4:31
- “Close My Eyes” – 4:22
One Soul Now
Released 2004
“One Soul Now” continues the Cowboy Junkies’ tradition of alt-country, rock, and blues styles. While not a commercial hit, the album maintains a faithful following and received generally favorable reviews from music critics.
Musicians featured are Margo Timmins on vocals, Michael Timmins on guitar, Alan Anton on bass, and Peter Timmins on drums. Produced by Michael Timmins, the album was recorded at The Clubhouse, Toronto, in October and November 2003.
CD Track Listings:
- “One Soul Now” – 4:23
- “Why This One” – 4:46
- “My Wild Child” – 3:49
- “From Hunting Ground to City” – 6:20
- “The Stars of Our Stars” – 5:01
- “Notes Falling Slow” – 4:21
- “No Long Journey Home” – 4:11
- “He Will Call You Baby” – 4:11
- “Simon Keeper” – 6:03
Early 21st Century Blues
Released 2005
“Early 21st Century Blues” is a collection of covers and original songs focused on themes of war, injustice, and loss. The album received critical praise for its conceptual cohesiveness and emotional depth.
Musicians include Margo Timmins on vocals, Michael Timmins on guitar, Alan Anton on bass, and Peter Timmins on drums. The album was produced by Michael Timmins and recorded at The Clubhouse, Toronto, between January and February 2005.
CD Track Listings:
- “License to Kill” – 4:39
- “Two Soldiers” – 5:28
- “December Skies” – 4:04
- “This World Dreams Of” – 4:38
- “Brothers Under the Bridge” – 5:07
- “You’re Missing” – 3:44
- “Handouts in the Rain” – 5:37
- “Isn’t It a Pity” – 5:24
- “No More” – 4:06
- “I Don’t Want to Be a Soldier” – 6:24
At the End of Paths Taken
Released 2007
This album is another journey into the realms of alt-country and folk-rock for Cowboy Junkies. It received moderate reviews but wasn’t a significant commercial success.
The lineup remains consistent with Margo Timmins on vocals, Michael Timmins on guitar, Alan Anton on bass, and Peter Timmins on drums. Produced by Michael Timmins, the album was recorded at The Clubhouse, Toronto, in October and November 2006.
CD Track Listings:
- “Brand New World” – 4:05
- “Still Lost” – 3:54
- “Cutting Board Blues” – 4:20
- “Spiral Down” – 3:37
- “My Little Basquiat” – 4:43
- “Someday Soon” – 2:18
- “Follower 2” – 5:09
- “It Doesn’t Really Matter Anyway” – 3:25
- “Blue Eyed Saviour” – 3:02
- “Mountain” – 3:46
Trinity Revisited
Released 2008
A revisitation of their seminal 1988 album “The Trinity Session,” “Trinity Revisited” was recorded live at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Toronto, where the original was made. It received high praise for its lush reinterpretations.
Margo Timmins is on vocals, Michael Timmins on guitar, Alan Anton on bass, and Peter Timmins on drums. Produced by Michael Timmins, the album was recorded at the Church of the Holy Trinity, Toronto, on November 15, 2006.
CD Track Listings:
- “Mining for Gold” – 1:33
- “Misguided Angel” – 4:59
- “Blue Moon Revisited (Song for Elvis)” – 4:31
- “I Don’t Get It” – 4:36
- “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” – 5:26
- “To Love Is to Bury” – 4:47
- “200 More Miles” – 5:29
- “Dreaming My Dreams with You” – 4:29
- “Working on a Building” – 6:46
- “Sweet Jane” – 3:34
- “Postcard Blues” – 5:00
- “Walking After Midnight” – 6:13
THE NOMAD SERIES
Nomad Series, Vol.1 Renmin Park
Released 2010
The first volume in the ambitious Nomad Series, “Renmin Park” was inspired by Michael Timmins’ experiences in China. The album is a blend of alternative country and folk-rock, punctuated by samples of street sounds and overheard conversations from China.
The musicians are Margo Timmins on vocals, Michael Timmins on guitar, Alan Anton on bass, and Peter Timmins on drums. Produced by Michael Timmins, the album was recorded at The Clubhouse, Toronto, between November 2009 and January 2010.
CD Track Listings:
- “Intro” – 0:59
- “Renmin Park” – 4:20
- “Sir Francis Bacon at the Net” – 2:44
- “Stranger Here” – 4:26
- “A Few Bags of Grain” – 2:44
- “I Cannot Sit Sadly by Your Side” – 5:00
- “(You’ve Got to Get) A Good Heart” – 4:03
- “Cicadas” – 3:33
- “Interlude” – 1:09
- “My Fall” – 4:33
- “Little Dark Heart” – 4:21
- “A Walk in the Park” – 5:09
- “Renmin Park (Revisited)” – 3:54
- “Coda” – 2:36
Nomad Series, Vol.2 Demons
Released 2011
“Demons” is a tribute album to the late Vic Chesnutt, a close friend of the band. It features covers of Chesnutt’s songs in the inimitable style of Cowboy Junkies, blending elements of alternative country, blues, and folk.
Musicians are consistent with Margo Timmins on vocals, Michael Timmins on guitar, Alan Anton on bass, and Peter Timmins on drums. Produced by Michael Timmins, it was recorded at The Clubhouse, Toronto, in April and May 2010.
CD Track Listings:
- “Wrong Piano” – 4:56
- “Flirted With You All My Life” – 4:43
- “See You Around” – 4:53
- “Betty Lonely” – 5:23
- “Square Room” – 5:37
- “Ladle” – 4:44
- “Supernatural” – 5:19
- “West of Rome” – 6:01
- “Strange Language” – 3:36
- “We Hovered With Short Wings” – 4:48
- “When the Bottom Fell Out” – 3:10
Nomad Series, Vol.3 Sing in My Meadow
Released 2011
This installment in the Nomad Series explores Cowboy Junkies’ rock and blues influences, resulting in a powerful, electric record. While not commercially successful, the album has been appreciated for its raw intensity.
Musicians include Margo Timmins on vocals, Michael Timmins on guitar, Alan Anton on bass, and Peter Timmins on drums. Produced by Michael Timmins, the album was recorded at The Clubhouse, Toronto, between September and October 2010.
CD Track Listings:
- “Continental Drift” – 3:42
- “It’s Heavy Down Here” – 3:46
- “3rd Crusade” – 6:02
- “Late Night Radio” – 4:33
- “Sing in My Meadow” – 4:45
- “Hunted” – 3:43
- “A Bride’s Price” – 5:15
- “I Move On” – 4:50
Nomad Series, Vol.4 The Wilderness
Released 2012
The fourth and final volume in the Nomad Series, “The Wilderness,” is a return to the group’s classic, alt-country sound. This album consists mainly of songs written over the years but never released, which have been revamped and recorded for this series.
The album features Margo Timmins on vocals, Michael Timmins on guitar, Alan Anton on bass, and Peter Timmins on drums. Produced by Michael Timmins, the album was recorded at The Clubhouse, Toronto, between August and September 2011.
CD Track Listings:
- “Unanswered Letter (For JB)” – 5:25
- “Idle Tales” – 6:15
- “We Are the Selfish Ones” – 4:19
- “Angels in the Wilderness” – 5:59
- “Damaged from the Start” – 5:06
- “Fairytale” – 4:26
- “Staring Man” – 3:45
- “The Confessions of Georgie E” – 8:03
- “I Let Him In” – 4:11
- “Fu*k, I Hate the Cold” – 3:33
All That Reckoning
Released 2018
“All That Reckoning” marks a return to the band’s darker, introspective style. The album delves into themes of societal unrest and personal relationships, balancing haunting ballads with experimental soundscapes.
The musicians are Margo Timmins on vocals, Michael Timmins on guitar, Alan Anton on bass, and Peter Timmins on drums. The album was produced by Michael Timmins and was recorded at The Hangar, Toronto, between May and September 2017.
CD Track Listings:
- “All That Reckoning (Part 1)” – 3:52
- “When We Arrive” – 4:44
- “The Things We Do To Each Other” – 3:56
- “Wooden Stairs” – 4:25
- “Sing Me a Song” – 4:20
- “Mountain Stream” – 5:22
- “Missing Children” – 3:42
- “Shining Teeth” – 4:13
- “Nose Before Ear” – 4:17
- “All That Reckoning (Part 2)” – 3:37
- “The Possessed” – 3:21
Ghosts
Released 2020
“Ghosts” is a special album released by Cowboy Junkies, created as an appreciation to their fans and also as a fundraising effort during the COVID-19 pandemic. This album includes new material as well as acoustic renditions of some older tracks, giving fans a unique and intimate experience of the band’s rich musical history.
The line-up features Margo Timmins on vocals, Michael Timmins on guitar, Alan Anton on bass, and Peter Timmins on drums. Produced by Michael Timmins, “Ghosts” was recorded in their home studio, between March and May 2020.
CD Track Listings:
- “Disappear” – 5:45
- “Breathing Hole” – 4:17
- “Grace Descends” – 6:22
- “He Will Call You Baby” – 5:30
- “Misguided Angel” – 5:03
- “Sun Comes Up, It’s Tuesday Morning” – 4:10
- “Ghosts” – 5:18
- “Ornette Coleman” – 3:52
- “Wooden Stairs” – 4:34
- “This Dog Barks” – 3:05
- “Saint John” – 4:28
Songs of the Recollection
Released 2022
CD Track Listings:
1. Five Years – David Bowie
2. Ooh Las Vegas – Gram Parsons
3. No Expectations – Mick Jagger and Keith Richards
4. Don’t Let It Bring You Down – Neil Young
5. Love in Mind – Neil Young
6. The Way I Feel – Gordon Lightfoot
7. I’ve Made Up My Mind to Give Myself to You – Bob Dylan
8. Marathon – Vic Chesnutt
9. Seventeen Seconds – Laurence Andrew Tolhurst (The Cure)
Sharon
Released 2022
CD Track Listings:
1 Sun Comes Up, It’s Tuesday Morning
2 ‘Cause Cheap Is How I Feel
3 Escape Is So Simple
4 Captain Kidd
5 Thirty Summers
6 Where Are You Tonight?
7 Mariner’s Song
8 Dead Flowers
9 Powderfinger
Such Ferocious Beauty
Released 2023
CD Track Listings:
1 What I Lost
2 Flood
3 Hard to Build. Easy to Break
4 Circe and Penelope
5 Hell Is Real
6 Shadows 2
7 Knives
8 Mike Tyson (Here It Comes)
9 Throw a Match
10 Blue Skies
Complete List Of The Cowboy Junkies Albums And Discography article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2023
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