THE JAYHAWKS REUNITE AFTER MORE
THAN A DOZEN YEARS FOR ROCK FEST
Acclaimed Minneapolis band The Jayhawks are reuniting on September 6th for a one-off show at the Azkena Rock Festival in Vitoria, Spain. The three-day festival will host more than thirty bands including Ray Davies, The Sex Pistols and Los Lobos. According to drummer Tim O’Reagan, “the promoters requested the line-up from 1995 which was Mark Olson, Gary Louris, Marc Perlman, Karen Grotberg and myself.” “I am looking forward to it”, says Olson who left The Jayhawks 13 years ago to make music with his then-wife Victoria Williams in The Creek Dippers. “And I am glad the Spanish are putting it together. It should be cool to see everyone again and rehearse and perform together.”
After Olson’s departure, the band continued on, adding new musicians every now and then, and releasing four more albums before officially going on hiatus a few years ago. Since that time, several members of the ‘95 Jayhawks have produced exceptional solo work with one joint disc due this September. Here’s a rundown:
TIM O’REAGAN “TIM O’REAGAN”
(Lost Highway, $13.98) myspace.com/timoreagan
Hints of O’Reagan’s simmering songwriting abilities were evident on “Bottomless Cup”, the lone track written and sung by the drummer on The Jayhawks’ 1997 “Sound Of Lies”. His self-titled critically acclaimed debut is filled with richly crafted, sing-able tunes that showcase his affinity for 60s and 70s garage rock. “I am a fan but I wouldn't say I'm a student of it...What I like about it is how raw and guileless it is. I like the lack of fuss in the production. The emotion of it feels genuine, something that's hard to find today.” Bright harmonies ring on “Girl/World” and British invasion-stylings carry “Just Like You” and “That’s The Game”. “River Bends” and “Black and Blue” feature O’Reagan’s languid vocals and thoughtful instrumentation reminiscent of George Harrison’s own debut, “All Things Must Pass”. O’Reagan enlisted family (Dad whistles on the jaunty opener “These Things“ and Mom adds violin throughout), friends and all of The Jayhawks. “I figured we were good as a band so it ought to sound pretty good if they played on my CD. Maybe I was hoping for a little magic to happen.” Ask and ye shall receive.
MARK OLSON “THE SALVATION BLUES”
(Hacktone Records, $14.99) markolsonmusic.com
A heart-breaking work of staggering self-infliction. Mark Olson’s strongest work to date was born out of infidelity, the dissolution of his marriage and, subsequently, no place to call home. This profound
loss unmoored Olson, who eventually found his way to Europe where he nested with friends and poured his grief into the autobiographical “The Salvation Blues”. The opener “My Carol” is a lilting ode of pure devotion, while the title track hooks the “what won’t kill you, makes you stronger” paradox. When asked if playing these songs on his current European tour have lessened the pain, Olson says “I try to communicate with people each night on tour with the melody and words. That is the perspective, in a way lifting up the situation and trying to suspend time the hour or two that we play.” The previously unrecorded Jayhawks song, “Poor Michael’s Boat”, finds a home here with Gary Louris joining in on vocals. A 30-minute documentary on Olson’s music and personal trials, also titled “The Salvation Blues”, has been making its way around the country.
GARY LOURIS “VAGABONDS”
(Rykodisc, $13.99) garylourismusic.com
For his first solo effort, Louris unites the sounds of Laurel Canyon and the deep South to create a beautifully crafted jam session featuring a multitude of talented California-based musicians. With subdued vocals and poetic lyrics, “Vagabonds” showcases a Louris who is in self-reflective mode and maturing beyond his alt-country roots. “I Wanna Get High” features Louris and Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes, who produced the album, singing together on an intense pop dirge, while “She Only Calls Me On Sundays” is a church service-inspired hymn filled with sleepy pedal steel guitar and sweet backing vocals courtesy of Susannah Hoffs (The Bangles) and Jenny Lewis (Rilo Kiley), among others. The title track builds to anthemic proportions while “D.C. Blues” closes the disc with a solemn Louris pondering the world and his place in it.
MARK OLSON and GARY LOURIS “READY FOR THE FLOOD”
(Hacktone Records)
September 16th marks the release date of the first recording between Olson and Louris in more than a dozen years. “Ready For The Flood” has been sitting on the shelf for the last year and half, lest it get in the way of promotion for Olson and Louris’ individual solo releases. This recording came after the two rekindled their friendship and hit the road for an acoustic tour in 2005. According to Olson, “Gary and I saw that we had a lot more music to do together, so we set about working in his garage and came up with some cool new songs.” Recorded in a mere 8 days and produced by Chris Robinson, fans of The Jayhawks will not be disappointed.
