The Caution Horses

• Artist: Cowboy Junkies
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1990 02
• Total Time: 44:32
• Genre: Rock

Review

With the ethereal voice of Margo Timmins gleaning the lyrics "The phone rings, but I don't answer it/Good news always sleeps till noon" on the opener ("Sun Comes Up, It's Tuesday Morning), listeners rest assured -- the Junkies haven't compromised their comfortable, country-twanged, folk-rock style to cater more to the trends of the masses. Mellow, honest, and provocatively reticent at points, their melancholic tone might seem bland to those with more aggressive tastes, or to simply more mainstream palettes, but for those whose tastes float serenely upstream, and for Junkies fans in general, this album is a treat. As usual, brother and lead guitarist Michael Timmins has created narratives that make poetry of everyday observations and anecdotes. Not as rocking as later releases, but offering more originals than earlier ones, this, their third full-length, brings back the mandolin and fiddle playing of Jeff Bird, the accordion stylings of Jaro Czerwinec, and pedal & lap steel guitar from Kim Deschamps -- all of which gracefully complemented the Trinity Sessions recordings. Their arrangements seem simply planned, and it's the combination of such a consistently minimalist quality with Michael Timmins' delicate songwriting that evokes ghost-story moods ("Witches") and sunset-beyond-the-porch-swing moments. Aside from the Neil Young cover "Powderfinger," The Caution Horses marks the Junkies' gradual shift toward more original work, and stands as the calm before the more rocking, commercially successful storm of material that followed. Highlights include "'Cause Cheap Is How I Feel," "Rock and Bird," and "Escape Is Simple." ~ Deanne Briggs, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Sun Comes up, It's Tuesday Morning	Michael Timmins	Cowboy Junkies	(3:56)
'cause Cheap Is How I Feel	Michael Timmins	Cowboy Junkies	(4:13)
Thirty Summers	Michael Timmins	Cowboy Junkies	(4:15)
Mariner's Song	Michael Timmins	Cowboy Junkies	(6:20)
Powderfinger	Neil Young	Cowboy Junkies	(5:46)
Rock and Bird	Michael Timmins	Cowboy Junkies	(3:30)
Witches	Margo Timmins, Michael Timmins	Cowboy Junkies	(2:44)
Where Are You Tonight?	Michael Timmins	Cowboy Junkies	(5:07)
Escape Is So Simple	Michael Timmins	Cowboy Junkies	(5:15)
You Will Be Loved Again	Mary Margaret O'Hara	Cowboy Junkies	(3:26)

Credits

Cowboy Junkies (Main Performer), Cowboy Junkies (Artwork), Cowboy Junkies (Mixing), Alan Anton (Bass), Jeff Bird (Fiddle), Jeff Bird (Harmonica), Jeff Bird (Mandolin), Jeff Bird (Photography), Jaro Czerwinec (Accordion), Kim Deschamps (Pedal Steel), Kim Deschamps (Lap Steel Guitar), Graham Henderson (Photography), Dave Houghton (Percussion), Dave Houghton (Art Direction), Peter Moore (Producer), Peter Moore (Engineer), Peter Moore (Digital Mastering), Peter Moore (Mixing), Margo Timmins (Vocals), Margo Timmins (Photography), Michael Timmins (Guitar), Michael Timmins (Producer), Peter Timmins (Drums), Martin Lee (Assistant Engineer), Tom Henderson (Engineer), Jeff Ham (Assistant Engineer), Chris Buck (Photography)

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