WXPN Radio

The premier guide for new and significant artists in rock, blues, and folk - including NPR-syndicated World Cafe

XPN2 - XPoNential Radio

24/7 Musical discovery. A unique mix of emerging and heritage blues, rock, world, folk, and alt-country artists.

World Cafe Archives

Join the World Cafe through performances and interviews with celebrated and emerging artists.
Listen
  • font size decrease font size decrease font size increase font size increase font size

The Jayhawks - Mockingbird Time - Rounder

With the release of their two acclaimed albums Hollywood Town Hall and Tomorrow The Green Grass in the early 90s The Jayhawks cemented themselves as essential listening for fans of alt-country and rock. After the release of Tomorrow The Green Grass in 1995 Mark Olsen decided to part ways leaving Gary Louris to head the band and fans to long for a reunion. While solo projects, reissues and retrospectives have been released to help ease the yearning of fans, it's safe to say that the arrival of Mockingbird Time will satisfy that itch. This album marks the return of The Jayhawks and the first time in nearly 16 years that the original line-up is back together.

For The Jayhawks Mockingbird Time begs once again to find that natural chemistry between Olsen and Louris. The two vocalists co-wrote the album together and Louris served as the album’s producer. The results are stellar. The Jayhawks have always had a knack of making it sound easy. Just listen to “Pouring Rain at Dawn”, a little folksy song towards the back end of the album. It’s sweet, poetic and Louris & Olsen just make it sound effortless. Same can be said for the album’s first single “She Walk In So Many Ways” whose lyrical density is beyond its 2 and a half minute runtime.

Songwriting partnerships like Olsen and Louris are rare. And it should be noted again, that all the original members are back for Mockingbird Time, including Tim O’Reagan on drums, Marc Perlman on bass and Karen Grotberg on keys. But in terms of Olsen and Louris, they are rather determined to rekindle their magic on Mockingbird Time and there are plenty of moments that sound like timeless Jayhawks.

Buy this CD, Mockingbird Time at Amazon.com. Your purchase that starts here, supports public radio station, WXPN.