Cowboy Junkies & Son Volt
Fox Theater on Thursday, July 23rd

When Matt, Dave, and I arrived at the Fox Theater the seats were starting to fill up on the orchestra level. The moment the Cowboy Junkies took stage people were in their seats with a drink in hand. With a plethora of instruments covering the stage and a vase full of flowers Margo’s rich full vocals swept the crowd up. They sounded like a recording every note was on key and every single chime was heard … nothing sounded off or bad. With both bands having five people on stage it went so smoothly you could tell the crowd was impressed. The Cowboy Junkies didn’t have much to say during their set, but there was one story that was really cool to hear.

Margo told a story of how her and her brother Michael (who writes all the lyrics she sings and is the guitar player) went to see the Rolling Stones a lot when they were kids. She was laughing while telling this story and said how once they were at a venue in the 70’s, and back then you arrived the day before to see a show and you waited until the gates opened to get in. Well at that particular show people started to flood over the gate to get in early. Michael (who isn’t a big guy) picked Margo up and threw her over the fence and she ran all the way in to get a good spot. She mentioned how she never thought she would get to play a Rolling Stone song on stage and then the band went into “Moonlight Mile.”

The Cowboy Junkies played new music and Margo said “I wish I could tell you our new songs were happy but we are getting older and crabby.” Regardless the mood the songs were really cool. We got to hear a few songs played just by Margo and Michael which is how all of the songs start. I liked how they explained that was how the songs start and then as they toured the songs would grow more. The Cowboy Junkies have a new album out that is acoustic and mellow called “Acoustic Junk.” So if you like acoustic mellow music you should buy it, Margo’s mom really likes it.

Son Volt. Five very talented musicians on stage at the Fox. When they casually walked on stage in their western shirts and went straight into a song it was very powerful and instantly grabbed me in. Just every instrument was on tune and every note sounded right. It’s very cool when you see a band that sounds studio quality live, it doesn’t happen all the time.

Chris killed it on his Gretsch White Falcon Guitar; Dave was telling me that it was the same guitar that the Rev uses. It was really fun to watch him move his body with the guitar and put his passion into it. I have a lot of respect for Son Volt because I think the lyrics are amazing and the music compliments them perfectly. Whether I am happy and sad their music works for me. We got the best of both sides of Son Volt both mellow and rockin at the Fox. The band looked like they were having a good time on stage and they were there to put on a good set for us.

They started their encore with Dave’s favorite Son Volt song “Tear Stained Eye” and went to play two more songs and then the night was over. It was a very respectable night of music at the Fox and it was something I was glad to be a part of. Hopefully I can catch Uncle Tupelo next!

Checkout more pics from the show HERE!

Andrea@checkitoutmusic.com