When Canadian alt folk rock band the Cowboy Junkies released their cover of the Velvet Underground’s “Sweet Jane” in 1988 (adhering to a slower, earlier version from 1969), Lou Reed described the cut as “the best and most authentic version I have ever heard.” Since their platinum-selling album of that same year, the Junkies cracked the Top 40 once more in 1994 with the equally moody “A Common Disaster,” but have otherwise remained off the US charts. Nonetheless, they’ve continued to thrive in Canada and their fan base remains devout, preferring their purring psychedelic country and blues to corporate twang pop. Now, you, too, can raise yourself up out of the mainstream mucky muck and revisit a band that sets the lights low and the artistic chops high. It’s the kind of junkie you need.
Fri., June 13, 8 p.m., 2014
