When The Carolina Chocolate Drops dropped by they put a few things in perspective. Firstly the interview had to hold off for ten minutes or so while Rhiannon’s baby had a feed. Her baby is on the tour too and it made me realise that this band was serious. No one ( in their right mind) really chooses to tour with a baby. I did it with one who’s now 17 and there is still a pleasure for me of getting on a flight and knowing I can concentrate fully on a newspaper, meal and a film without trawling the aisle for a missing dummy.
They also explained bout the roots of the Jug Band and despite what we probably think you’ll realise that the roots of country are as strong in the African American tradition as they are in the descendants of Scots and Irish in the southern states. Maybe the Europeans (as often happens) wrote the history books…but the Chocolate Drops will tell you more.
In 1988 an album came out that caught the popular imagination. On it were songs by Patsy Cline and Hank Williams and also the Velvet Underground. The band was The Cowboy Junkies and the album was called The Trinity Sessions. Given that I spent a degree of that year flitting between London, Glasgow and New York trying to put the vocal on one song and sit around while someone mixed the track, it was with a little chagrin that I discovered the Cowboy Junkies had recorded their entire album in one room and on one microphone. Years later I got a chance to visit Holy Trinity church in downtown Toronto and discovered for myself the magical ambience of the building that gave birth to the album. On Friday we suggest to you that The Trinity Sessions should form part of your beginners guide to Americana.
There’s old music and new: Jan Howard sings about being married to Harlan and we hearr from Glasgow’s own Woodenbox With A Fistful of Fivers and check in with the new Langhorne Slim LP.
On Sunday….
Ethical Banking, Reuniting Refugee families and The National Youth Orchestra of Iraq – directed from Glasgow. Music for Mother’s day from
Holly Williams, Alison Krauss and The Impressions.
Cowboy Junkies’ “The Trinity Sessions”. That’s a superb album that I’ve owned for many years now, but it will of course be good to hear it aired on Another Country. “Misguided Angel” was my way in to that album (another of those bizarre choices for a wedding song, no less, from a family wedding in the USA some 15-odd years ago) whilst “Blue Moon Revisited (Song For Elvis)” is another personal favourite.
Just beautiful music, although bizarrely I’ve never sought out any of their other albums. Happy to receive any recommendations on that score!
Adam
Firstly outstanding Elvis review, sorry I have been a bit stretched last couple of weeks and always hoped to get the time to post a response worthy of your review and I never did get that time…..!
Trinity Sessions is simply an outstanding album and I would direct you to the almost as good Caution Horses. Brilliant album especially the starting double of Sun Comes Up and ‘Cause Cheap Is How I feel.
A great starting point is Best of Cowboy Junkies on RCA 07863 68052-2. This is a brilliant collection.
But if you like Trinity do not fail to check out Trinity Revisisted, with Ryan adams, Vic Chesnutt and Natalie Merchant.
Incredible.
I’ve yet to watch “Crazy Heart” — am dying to do so — but was so glad to see The Dude himself (harking back to previous comments on that particular Coen Brothers masterpiece), Jeff Bridges, recognised with an Oscar.
I also hopped on over to iTunes and bought “The Weary Kind” after a single listen. Simply a beautiful song.
Thanks, Norrie. Glad you appreciated the Elvis review for one (and no worries – I know only too well how precious time can be) and thanks very much for the Cowboy Junkies recommendations. I’ll be checking each of those out!