Jayhawks (band)
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The Jayhawks are a band playing a style of alt-country. They have released six studio albums under the American Recordings label. The band has a loyal fan-base despite having little commercial success or popular radio airtime.
The band was formed in 1985 in Minnesota with Mark Olson (acoustic guitar & vocals), Gary Louris (electric guitar & vocals), Marc Perlman (bass) and Thad Spencer (drums). They released a self-titled album in 1986 and the more popular Blue Earth in 1987. Their music at the time, written by Olson, showed a strong roots/country-rock influence.
On their 1992 release, Hollywood Town Hall, Louris co-wrote many of the tunes. Though Louris' fuzzy guitar was at the forefront, a clear folksy influence was also emerging in Olson's songwriting. The album was a hit, powered by the single "Waiting for the Sun", and brought the Jayhawks a much needed fanbase.
Having added Karen Grotberg on the keyboards, the band toured extensively and went into the studio to produce Tomorrow the Green Grass in 1995, but the record's production had been very expensive and the album failed to sell as expected. The album features some classic Jayhawks tunes such as "Blue" or "Miss Williams' Guitar" (a love song for Olson's flame, quirky singer/songwriter Victoria Williams).
Mark Olson left the band in 1995 to spend more time with his wife (with whom he would later form the Original Harmony Ridgecreek Dippers). The Jayhawks now with Tim O'Reagan on the drums, decided to continue recording as the Jayhawks, though they no longer perform songs written by Olson. They released Sound of Lies in 1997 with Louris composing most of the songs and allowing all of his influences an even hand in the proceedings. The result was staggering - mixing straight rock (the ironic "Big Star"), psychedelic, acoustic (the title track) or even some dub elements, the album was a creative breakthrough.
Their album Smile (2000), produced by Bob Ezrin, had more of a pop music feel which was unpopular with some long-time fans. The Sunday New York Times positively reviewed the album but, in a nod to their lack of widespread recognition, titled the review "What if you made a classic and no one cared?". The song "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" appeared in a Ralph Lauren commercial.
Their latest album Rainy Day Music (2003) was more stripped down and acoustic ("Tailspin", "Stumbling Through the Dark", "You Look So Young").
In addition to their studio albums, the Jayhawks sell an album at concerts entitled Live From the Women's Club, an all-acoustic live record (sold as an "Offical Jayhawks Bootleg"). It features the original version of "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" called "Someone Will".
Albums
- "The Jayhawks" (1985) also known as the "Bunkhouse Tapes"
- "Blue Earth" (1986, re-released 2003)
- "Hollywood Town Hall" (1992)
- "Tomorrow the Green Grass" (1995)
- "Sound of Lies" (1997)
- "Smile" (2000)
- "Rainy Day Music" (2003)
Also, "Live From the Women's Club" live album
References
"Fresh Air" from WHYY, July 10, 2003, Gary Louris interview with Terry Gross
External Links
Official Jayhawks Site (http://www.thejayhawks.net/)