The TV series Stranger Things has become a place for songs of all sorts to find a new place in the sun. Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hill and Peter Gabriel’s cover of Heroes amongst many others have had huge boosts in streaming by appearing in the key series finales. For season 5 it was the turn of The Cowboy Junkies and Sweet Jane. Appearing first on the Velvet Underground’s album Loaded in 1970, the Cowboy Junkies based their take on the slower version from 1969: The Velvet Underground Live released in 1974.
The Trinity Sessions, home of the original Junkies studio version, was famously recorded with the band gathered around a single microphone. The intimacy of capturing music that way suits the Cowboy Junkies in general and singer Margo Timmins in particular. Lou Reed has been quoted as saying that the Cowboy Junkies’ version was his favourite cover of the song. The album combined their own songs with a selection of covers of which Sweet Jane became a live set staple.
Over time it has evolved in live performance. By 1999 and the album Waltz Across America (Live) it had become a six-minute instrumental tour de force with Guitarist Michael Timmins and guest pianist Linford Detweiler sparring for the first three minutes before the vocal arrives. Such is the slightly strange release pattern of Junkies live albums that the 2003 release In the Time Before Llamas has a more stripped back performance from 1990, and it hasn’t shown up on an official release since, although it has continued to evolve and provide opportunities for improvisation and playing with the song’s possibilities.
The definitive version for me though comes from 200 More Miles: Live Performances 1985–1994. Released by their former label as a bit of a spoiler for Lay it Down which came out at the same time with new partners, Geffen, Sweet Jane has everything which makes Cowboy Junkies great. Alan Anton’s bass takes the main riff with Margo Timmins vocal sometimes hardly audible behind it. Michael Timmins, hardly the most demonstrative guitar player, produces delicate showers of notes before launching into a short, sweet solo. From there, the song picks up pace briefly before simply grinding to a halt after four minutes.
Everything that you need to know about the Cowboy Junkies music is encapsulated in that performance. Space, atmosphere, playing which does what it needs to do and no more, and Margo Timmins’ one-of-a-kind delivery of a song. Having had the Stranger Things boost in streaming, along with a 40th anniversary tour we can only hope that the Cowboy Junkies will acquire some new fans to fall in love with a band who can easily become wrapped around your mind with their quiet power.
Great article, Tim. The track is also featured at 38 minutes in on the most recent AUK Podcast (18) – head to the top of the page and the Podcast Menu.