The Jayhawks at Webster Hall in January (more by Kurt Christensen)

The Jayhawks are currently on a European tour that ends later this month. After that tour, they'll play a few dates in their hometown of Minnesota before heading out a North American tour in October and November. Many dates do not have openers announced but a few are with Tift Merritt. The NYC show, which takes place on October 21 at Beacon Theater is with Rosanne Cash. Tickets go on sale Friday (8/5) at noon with an "Internet Presale" starting Wednesday (8/3) at noon.

The tour is in support of the Jayhawks' new album Mockingbird Time which will be released September 20 via Rounder. The album is their first since 2003's Rainy Day Music and was produced by Jayhawk Gary Louris. It's also their first album with the classic Gary Louris and Mark Olson-led line-up since 1995's Tomorrow The Green Grass. Check out the lead single, "She Walks In So Many Ways" below.

Rosanne Cash some of her own upcoming dates, including some readings on her book tour for Composed, which she released on July 26. Her book tour hits NYC twice this month. The first time on August 9 at Barnes and Noble Union Square and the second on August 11 at PowerHouse Arena in Brooklyn.

All dates and Jayhawks single below...

Continue reading "Jayhawks releasing new LP, touring, playing Beacon Theater w/ Rosanne Cash who wrote a book (dates)"

photos by Kurt Christensen

"[The Jayhawks] followed up Town Hall with 1995's Tomorrow the Green Grass, the Jayhawks' signature record. Opening with Olson's masterpiece "Blue," which cracked the Top 40 in Canada, the record is dominated by genius offerings from Olson, especially the shit-kickin' country-rocker "Miss Williams Guitar" (named after Olson's then-girlfriend Victoria Wilson), the melancholy "Ann Jane," and "Blue's" downbeat, somber counterpart, "Over My Shoulder." Louris was no ghost on Green Grass, adding gorgeous harmonies to Olson's songs, as well as lush compositions like "I'd Run Away" and "Nothing Left to Borrow." Despite some success north of the border, the reaction stateside was lukewarm at best. The band had overspent on the recording of Green Grass and the CD receipts could not recoup the cost..." [Bill Reese]

The Jayhawks also followed up their performance of Hollywood Town Hall Thursday night at Webster Hall, with a performance of Tomorrow the Green Grass at Webster Hall on Friday night (1/21). Both NYC shows were part of a short and ongoing tour that is coinciding with the reissue of both classic albums.

A second set of pictures from the first night (by Kurt instead of Chris), along with a video and the setlist from night two, and remaining tour dates, below...

Continue reading "The Jayhawks performed 'Tomorrow the Green Grass' @ Webster Hall (more pics from night 1 & night 2 setlist)"

The Jayhawks are releasing reissued and expanded editions of Hollywood Town Hall and Tomorrow the Green Grass on January 18th. On January 20th the alt-country band will perform Hollywood Town Hall live at Webster Hall in NYC. On the 21st they'll perform Tomorrow the Green Grass at the same venue. Tickets for both shows go on a band presale on Tuesday at 10am, then AmEx presale Wednesday at noon, and then general sale Friday at noon.

The Jayhawks reunited over the summer for three big shows in Minneapolis, and will also play a show on the reissue release day at the Phoenix in Toronto.

UPDATE: and there are even more dates. Below...

Continue reading "The Jayhawks playing full-reissued-album NYC shows (dates)"

by Kurt Christensen

Gary Louris brought an alt. country all-star backing band to Le Poisson Rouge in NYC on Friday night (part of a short solo tour). The show opened with Kraig Johnson, bandmate of Louris in Golden Smog (and briefly in the Jayhawks), and lead singer of Minneapolis band Run Westy Run. Johnson was joined by G. Whizz (Autumn Defense) on drums, and Jim Boquist (Son Volt) on guitar. A few songs into the set, he was joined by Joseph Arthur, who took over as lead for a couple of songs as well.

After a brief intermission, Gary Louris took the stage, notebook in hand. His set covered his solo work, as well as songs from the Golden Smog and Jayhawks catalogs. Dar Williams, who was a last minute announcement for the show was also a last minute cancellation, as her son was sick. Throughout the set, Louris was joined by a revolving combination of Johnson, Boquist, G. Whizz and Joseph Arthur. He sounded great, and the set list was terrific.

Featured songs included "Poor Little Fish" , "I'd Run Away" , "Blue", and he played an alternate take on the song "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" from Smile. The original title and chorus was "Someone Will". It was interesting to hear a different take on the song, and to hear it as it was originally written. The encore was perfect for any fan of the Jayhawks, and Golden Smog. "Waiting For the Sun", "Tailspin" and the closer, arguably one of the best songs from Golden Smog, "Until You Came Along". A perfect way to end an excellent show.

The Jayhawks are playing three shows at First Avenue in Minneapolis in June. The band lineup will include Mark Olson who left the band in 1995, Louris, Marc Perlman, Tim O'Reagan and Karen Grotberg. More pictures from LPR below...

Continue reading "Gary Louris & friends played Le Poisson Rouge in NYC (pics) "

Gary Louris @ Truck America (more by Alexandra Marvar)

Gary Louris of the Jayhawks (who are playing three nights in a row in their hometown of Minneapolis in June) played the Truck America Festival earlier this month (NYC Taper taped it) and kicked off a short tour in Cambridge, Massachusetts last night (5/13). That tour continues to Le Poisson Rouge in NYC tonight (5/14). All dates below...

Continue reading "Gary Louris on tour (dates), played Truck America (recording)"

words & photos by Alexandra Marvar, more photos by Claire Bennnett, Gabe Soria & Sonam Zoksang

Roadside Graves @ Truck America

"After 12 years America got its first taste of Truck at a resort in the Catskills about three hours outside of New York City. A more modest affair in size and lineup than the forthcoming Truck in Steventon this July, the Full Moon resort was perfectly situated for the comparatively small event.

The entire weekend made for a remarkably relaxed experience. While the weather in the Catskills in early May is usually akin to that of Oxfordshire in the summer, the days were unseasonably warm and the nights crisp, making sitting in an unheated converted barn after midnight a pleasant experience." [Clash]

Alexandra Marvar, who performed at British Truck festival offshoot TRUCK AMERICA this past weekend with the Mercury Rev orchestra, and with Common Prayer, reviews the fest's highlights with accompanying pictures. Check it out below...

Continue reading "The Truck America Festival in pics & review"

Jayhawks' Gary Louris & Mark Olson @ 400 Bar, MN - Aug 18, 2007 (CRED)

The crowd seemed to double after Louris took to the stage, and as the bar filled up and pressed forward the band launched into the Jayhawks song “Pray for Me.” Olson and Louris's vocals collided so perfectly that it was impossible to tell who was singing which part, and for a moment I stopped being jealous of all the lucky jerks who got to see the original Jayhawks lineup play together many years ago and reveled in the beauty of the two men performing together. [Reveille Magazine]

Gary won't be at Bowery Ballroom tonight (Aug 30), but Mark will be. Tickets are still on sale, and I have a pair to give away to someone who emails me at BVCONTESTS@HOTMAIL.COM (subject: Olson), and tells me they want to go. Winner will be picked at random. More dates HERE.