loading the iPod this past week has given me renewed appreciation for a couple of albums i’ve loved for many years but hadn’t listened to in a while.

waaay back in 1988 one of my best friends was an art student at the Art Academy of Cincinnati. he had eclectic taste in music and introduced me to such groups as siouxsie and the banshees, edie brickell and the new bohemians, and 10,000 maniacs. one night we were at the art academy and this slow, funky groove is playing in the background with a most awesome female vocalist crooning in an sultry, ethereal tone – who is this, i demanded to know!

it’s the Trinity Session from the cowboy junkies.

never heard of them.

and never forgot them after that night.

their music since then has been consistent. their first album with geffen records almost a dozen years later may be even better than the trinity session album, but maybe not. they’re still together. margot timmins still has one of the most awesome voices out there.

they’ve toured and been good friends with over the rhine for many years, and it’s no wonder. they have a similar sound and style, although i’ll go with the junkies over OTR probably 9 out of 10 tries.

don’t have the album? go download one of their concerts from the Live Music Archive – particularly THIS ONE. it’s probably the best sound quality of the bunch.

have a great thanksgiving!