Right, time for some admissions / confessions. First, Cowboy Junkies may have been recording for 25 years with some critical acclaim but this is the first of their albums that I’ve committed time to. Secondly, this is volume 3 of the 4 album Nomad Series. I haven’t heard the other albums and have to admit to a certain slight prejudice against ‘series’ albums. In my view, they rarely tend to work alone and usually should have released as a complete set. But I have to be fair and have taken ‘Sing In My Meadow’ as a stand alone album. Either its good enough or it should have been packaged with the others.

Oh dear, it sounds like I’ve set my stall out against this album doesn’t it? Well let us get that question out of the way first shall we. I like this album. It’s not perfect, but this is good stuff and can be recommended on its own merits.

Margo (vocals), Michael (guitar) and Peter (drums) Timmins and Alan Anton (bass) (plus ‘live’ member Jeff Bird on these tracks) admit that this album revolves around “the psychedelic and blues inspired forays we are so fond of exploring on stage”. This album certainly lives up to that billing. The psychedelic influences here are very strong and the album is none the worse for them. This really is an album you can put on loud and seriously chill out to with the aid of a little substance assistance. Obviously, I mean the legitimately bought alcoholic variety!

The blues influences are slightly more underplayed than the psychedelic and rock influences yet they underpin most of the tracks. They particularly come through in the title track Sing In My Meadow which is classic blues rock.

The album kicks off with a heavy blues rock scene setter A Bride’s Price which leads you straight into my favourite track on the album Continental Drift, a fantastically rhythmically repetitive track laid over with Margo Timmins deep husky vocals. This track for me really defines this album nasty, dirty and slick at the same time. Hunted is probably the best song here; heavy on Michael Timmins raw, heavy psychedelic guitars. I Move On carries the mood on into the much slower It’s Heavy Down Here; you’re not kidding.

The radio friendly track appears in the aptly named Late Night Radio. (When has a track with ‘radio’ in the title ever not been radio friendly?) Sing In My Meadow brings the blues very much back to the fore with Margo Timmins languorous vocals beautifully laid over the top. The album closes out with 3rd Crusade with Michael Timmins edgy, almost harsh guitar scratching its way across a fine blues rock backing.

I’ve not made any mention of Peter Timmins (drums) and Alan Anton (bass) which is slightly unfair. Their control and drive pushes these eight tracks forward with total control. Peter Timmins drums in particular hint at those classic late sixties/early seventies drummers that learnt their trade with blues bands before moving onto rock.

So, is it a good album this third instalment of the Nomad Series? A reserved ‘yes’ is the answer. I would like to hear this in the context of the full four album series (strong hint to Proper Records if I dare!). Also, some of the influences here are a little too identifiable at times. I keep thinking of the names of other artists songs too often and it is bugging the hell out of me as to what song Late Night Radio sounds like.

The Cowboy Junkies haven’t lost their mojo based on this outing. All the tracks were recorded in a four day session. As you may have read in other views, I like that kind of just get it done attitude to recording. A well rehearsed and practiced live band should be able to tackle recording in that way and Cowboy Junkies prove that.

“We approach them all live-off-the-floor; nasty and dirty and disturbing the cold winter’s night peace” Michael Timmins explains. Couldn’t have said it better myself. Not a winter warmer but a worthy part of a good night in.

Reviewed by d-jaysea.

The Cowboy Junkies' Sing In My Meadow: The Nomad Series Volume 3 is out now on Amazon.