Hi, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Ten years ago I was in the throes of a serious “Parenthood” addiction. The Braverman’s had become my family and those weekly episodes were like having my own seat at their dinner table. I was home.

The music only added to my love of this show and in S5 E13-“Jump Ball”-it helped me get reacquainted with The Cowboy Junkies. They rose to prominence in 1988 with the release of The Trinity Session, which featured their unique acoustic driven covers-including The Velvet Underground’s “Sweet Jane”-along with a few traditional standards and original tracks. Led by the haunting and impressive vocals of Margot Timmins combined with the musicianship of her brothers Michael and Peter along with family friend, Alan Anton, the group has a sound that is hard to duplicate.

The song featured in the TV episode was written by English-Canadian singer & songwriter David Wiffen. It was included on his 1971 self titled debut album but a year earlier, it appeared on folk singer Tom Rush’s eponymous record. Most of the cover versions I have heard follow his interpretation. The Cowboy Junkies did and it is on their 1996 release, Studio: Selected Studio Recordings 1986–1995.

About four years ago, I found another cover of today’s pick thanks to Anthony Mason’s CBS This Morning musical profile of The Black Crowes from March 2020. Brothers Chris and Rich Robinson have covered this track a lot over the years, both together and with separate musical projects like The Chris Robinson Brotherhood which featured it on their 2015 album, Betty’s Blend Vol. 2: Best From The West. But my favorite version is a 2009 live performance that gives this incredibly rich and provoking tune such great depth along with an absolutely gorgeous guitar arrangement. The title varies depending on what source is used as a reference, but this is a one of a kind song if ever there was one. And I love it.

“You can’t say much in a phone call
You know how it is
I have to tell you one sure thing
Won’t you listen to this
I want to tell you that I love you
I want to tell you just how I feel“.

Top: The Cowboy Junkies circa 2023. Bottom: The Robinson Brothers of The Black Crowes circa 2019: Rich (L) and Chris (R). (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

The Cowboy Junkies: “Lost My Driving Wheel” (1996, written by David Wiffen).

The Black Crowes: “Driving Wheel” (2009 live performance. Written by David Wiffen).

Stay safe & well.