The Jayhawks
Formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1985 The Jayhawks became one of the most talked-about bands of the 1990s. Fusing elements of the country rock pioneered by acts such as The Byrds and Flying Burrito Brothers, the group was at the forefront of the alt country movement beside acts such as the Bottle Rockets and Uncle Tupelo. A trio of acclaimed and influential albums––Blue Earth (1989), Hollywood Town Hall (1992), and Tomorrow The Green Grass––saw the group rise from the fertile Minneapolis scene to national acclaim.
With the songwriting partnership of Gary Louris (the rock element) and Mark Olson (who favored folk and country) approaching its zenith, 1995 seemed like the year in which The Jayhawks would become one of the “it” bands of the decade. But it was not to be. Olson left by the end of the year and for a moment it looked as though the band was over. But that was not to be, either.
Louris rallied the remaining members––including bassist Marc Pearlman and keyboardist Karen Grotberg from the Tomorrow The Green Grass lineup––and recorded the louder, more aggressive Sound Of Lies (1997). With various changes in membership, the group rolled on until 2005, announcing an indefinite hiatus. Louris and Olson teamed up in 2008 for Ready For The Flood and in that moment the seeds for a Jayhawks reunion were largely sown.
The reunited 1995 lineup has just released Mockingbird Time and is currently touring both the U.S. and Europe.
Selected discography
Blue Earth (1989), Twin/Tone Released on the Minneapolis label of the moment, Twin/Tone (home to Soul Asylum and The Replacements) the sophomore release from The Jayhawks saw a vast improvement in songwriting and style over the group’s 1986 self-titled debut. Still an under-heard gem, the record features “Two Angels” and “Martin’s Song,” both of which the band would revisit for the 1992 breakthrough album Hollywood Town Hall.
Hollywood Town Hall (1992), American Produced by George Drakoulias (Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, The Black Crowes), the record contains some of the group’s most enduring material––namely “Wichita,” “Clouds,” “Waiting For The Sun” and a re-working of the 1989 tune “Two Angels.”
Tomorrow The Green Grass (1995), American After some labor-intensive writing sessions (more on that in a moment) the group emerged with a record destined to become a classic among fans of alt country music. Moreover, it was a perfect snapshot of a band that didn’t take itself too seriously (witness an amazing cover of Grand Funk Railroad’s “Bad Time”) but just serious enough. Among the topics the group touched upon were Olson’s then-girlfriend––and, much later, ex-wife––singer-songwriter Victoria Williams (“Miss Williams’ Guitar”), matters of the heart (several) and child neglect (“Ann Jane”).
The 2011 reissue featured a treasure trove of bonus material including selections from The Mystery Demos, a series of Olson-Louris compositions that had circulated among fans circa 2002. Although occasionally rough in sonic quality the demos provided a window to the soul of a truly unique songwriting team.
Sound Of Lies (1997), American Having lost Olson the band carried on with Louris contributing the bulk of the material. A stark contrast to the feel-good vibe of Tomorrow The Green Grass, Sound Of Lies has aged surprisingly well.
Music From The North Country: The Jayhawks Anthology (2009), American/Legacy Skip the standard lot of album favorites and go straight for the deluxe edition’s second disc of rarities––including numerous previously unreleased demos, b-sides, and alternate versions, plus richly detailed liner notes.
Mockingbird Time (2011), Rounder After the lukewarm reception of Smile (2000) and Rainy Day Music (2003) The Jayhawks went dormant. It was probably just as well. Hardcore fans and critics probably weren’t going to stand for an Olson-less Jayhawks much longer. In September 2011 the band answered everyone’s anxious calls for a full-on reunion of the 1995 lineup and emerged with what one critic asserted was the strongest Jayhawks album since 1992.
