Monday, August 24, 1998
Intimate concert turns Royce Hall into homely Texas family
kitchen
MUSIC: Cowboy Junkies provide emotional sound, take audience on
historical journey of band’s growth
By Trinh Bui
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
A small table overburdened by a vase of white roses is the
centerpiece for a family gathering. Brother, strumming his guitar,
sits across from his sister who begins singing a folksy hymn. It’s
a scene reserved for close relatives, but last Thursday evening the
Cowboy Junkies shared that intimacy with an auditorium filled with
strangers.
In support of their latest album, "Miles From Our Home," the
Junkies quartet enraptured their Royce Hall patrons with a stunning
retrospective performance and down-to-earth humility.
Starting the show with songs from earlier recordings, the
Junkies engaged in distinctly Texas blues ballads, the type of
songs that reminds one about the cruelty of fate and regrets of
poor choices. "Blue Guitar" is a touchingly depressing requiem for
legendary Texas songwriter Townes Van Zandt. Stripped to simple
guitar work courtesy of Michael Timmins and appropriately somber
drum pacing from younger brother Peter Timmins, the chore of
carrying the emotion in "Guitar" was left to Margo Timmins’
beautiful vocals.
Indeed, it is Margo’s voice that captures the ears’ attention.
Weathered by heartache and unwanted tragedy, her voice is a curio
shop of abandoned feelings and knicked memories.
This versatility helps her lend depth to the Junkies’ tunes.
From the introspective "Darkling Days" to the love-sick "Miles From
Our Home," Margo Timmins adds subtle wrinkles to the blues guitar
crying melodies. The Junkies ended the show with their rendition of
Lou Reed’s "Sweet Jane." Their version replaced Reed’s cigarette
gruff with Timmins’ soft baritone musing and gave the song a nice
feminine perspective.
The concert surveyed the Junkies’ evolution from the days of
covering Chuck Berry to their current, poppier, multi-layered
sound. Throughout the evening, the atmosphere was always one of
invitation to come into their home. The Junkies allowed their fans
to sit in the living room and listen to a sister sing with her
brothers and friends. And everyone took up the offer. JAMIE
SCANLON-JACOBS/Daily Bruin
Margo Timmins, lead singer of the Cowboy Junkies, performs at
Royce Hall.